DETROIT, Dec. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Ford Motor Company Fund announces $10 million program in Detroit, including a community center, new youth recreation and summer camp, support for education and summer job programs
• The new Ford Resource and Engagement Center in southwest Detroit will offer community gathering space with a Gleaners client choice food service center, cultural and job training opportunities, and other community services
• New program builds on major ongoing investments by Ford Fund in nonprofits and community initiatives throughout southeast Michigan

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and its community relations arm, Ford Motor Company Fund (Ford Fund), today announced the launch of a major program in Detroit to strengthen neighborhoods and provide support for education, summer jobs programs and other community needs.

The $10 million program, called Operation Brighter Future – Detroit, augments Ford Fund's ongoing community partnerships, as well as support for southeast Michigan nonprofits for community development, cultural and many other programs. The support has totaled approximately $60 million during the past five years.

The centerpiece of the program is the new Ford Resource and Engagement Center. It will be opened at the Mexicantown Mercado building in southwest Detroit. Under the arrangement, the building – which has been unused in recent years – will offer cultural and job training programs and other community services, including a Gleaners client choice food service center. Ford Fund will provide funding to local nonprofits to implement these programs and also provide the resources to operate the facility for at least four years.

"The Mexicantown Community Development Corporation (MCDC) board of directors is proud to partner with Ford Motor Company Fund and the city of Detroit to provide comprehensive programming at the Mexicantown Mercado that aligns with its original purpose as a community resource," said Hector Hernandez, chairman emeritus of the MCDC board. "Ford, the city and MCDC are all committed to providing the highest-quality services to the southwest Detroit community within the Mercado, and we envision exciting cultural programming on the soon-to-be enhanced plaza space, complete with a new water fountain feature to extend this extraordinary exterior community plaza."

Ford also is announcing it will "adopt" the Patton Recreation Center in southwest Detroit. Presently designated as a senior center, Ford will provide funding to add a wide variety of youth programming at the center, including arts, gymnastics, lacrosse, karate and swimming.

In addition, Ford will provide funding for the Brighter Future Summer Camp at Patton Recreation Center. The camp will offer 80 to 90 youth a meaningful and fun youth summer camp experience. Ford Fund also will provide a limited number of scholarships for youth to attend Camp Brighter Future.

"The Operation Brighter Future – Detroit initiative supports Ford's work to build a better world," said Mark Fields, chief operating officer, Ford Motor Company. "We are excited to contribute this $10 million investment toward services and support that will empower families and strengthen the community."  

Other initiatives in Operation Brighter Future – Detroit include:

• Donation to the Public Safety Foundation of two F-Series chassis, which will be turned into new ambulances for the city of Detroit
• Support for Greening of Detroit and its projects to turn abandoned sites into parks
• Funding for the Detroit Summer Youth Employment program that provides training and work experience for youth ages 14 to 21

"This is very exciting news for the city and our residents," said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. "I am extremely grateful for Ford Motor Company Fund's commitment to make such a generous investment in our neighborhoods. The Fund's emphasis on jobs, recreation centers, youth and educational opportunities is in line with my administration's plans to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens. We need partners like Ford Motor Company Fund to help us transform Detroit."

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. For more than 60 years, Ford Motor Company Fund has operated with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, 25,000 Ford employees and dealers work on projects each year that better their communities in more than 20 countries. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company