Operation Brighter Future – Detroit: The name really nails the goal behind the new $10 million program Ford has announced to meet community needs. The new Ford Resource and Engagement Center in southwest Detroit will provide support for education, cultural and job-training opportunities, and much more.

Ford Motor Company Fund is the philanthropic arm of Ford, and it will be funding daily operations of the shining star of the program, the Ford Resource and Engagement Center, which will be opened at the Mexicantown Mercado building in southwest Detroit. Members of the Ford Volunteers Corps will participate in the Gleaners client choice food service center and other community organizations within the center.

Ford will also “adopt” the Patton Recreation Center in southwest Detroit. It’s currently a senior center, but now youth programming will be added, including arts, gymnastics, lacrosse, karate and swimming. But wait, there’s even more: Ford will provide funding for a Brighter Future Summer Camp at the Patton Recreation Center. The camp will offer 80-90 youth a totally cool camp experience. Ford Fund will have a limited number of scholarships for youth to attend Camp Brighter Future. And, yes, another round of wait, there’s more: There will be support for Greening of Detroit and its projects to turn abandoned sites into parks, as well as funding for the Detroit Summer Youth Employment program, which provides training and work experience for those age 14-21.

And there’s a vehicle element to all this, too: Two F-Series chassis will be donated to the Public Safety Foundation and be turned into new ambulances for the City of Detroit.

This $10 million program augments Ford Fund’s ongoing community partnerships and support of southeast Michigan nonprofits. This investment has totaled approximately $60 million dollars during the past five years.