HighScope Educational Research Foundation

HighScope Educational Research Foundation

The HighScope Educational Research Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to supporting the critical work of educators and caregivers in providing high-quality early childhood education to children from birth to age five. Founded in 1970 by psychologist Dr. David P. Weikart, HighScope is headquartered in Ypsilanti, Michigan and has institutes around the world.  

For this capital project, there are three SMART goals:

• Enhance resources for positive individual, family, and community growth including services for the elderly, handicapped and children, and recreation opportunities by renovating an existing building within 3 years in northeast Ypsilanti.
• Meet community development and wellbeing needs having a particular urgency created by the COVID-19 pandemic by renovating spaces where residents can gather therefore minimizing the effects of social isolation.
• Benefit low- and moderate-income persons in Ypsilanti by creating spaces to house educational support, workforce development, recreational needs, mental/physical health support systems, etc. 

In order to meet those goals, the Foundation will provide a community center with a holistic approach to health and education for underserved families in northeast Ypsilanti in partnership with other service providers in the area such as mental health, physical health, disabilities support, family therapy and parent outreach, after-school activities, a police community outreach site, arts & culture activities, age-appropriate playgrounds, etc. The community center will be a place for residents to gather that will mitigate the effects of social isolation caused by COVID (using the renovated kitchen, cafeteria, and other spaces) and offer a wide variety of services to the community. Aligned with the Michigan poverty task force goals, this project will serve over 6000 households.