Farmington Schools Board Member Receives Art Van Award of Hope

Sheilah Clay, Farmington Public Schools' Board of Education trustee, was one of five individuals statewide to receive the Art Van Award of Hope for an unwavering commitment to family and community.

Clay is president and CEO of Neighborhood Service Organization in Detroit, which provides services that include addiction treatment, crisis intervention/suicide prevention, early childhood education, youth leadership development and more to people in Wayne and Oakland counties. According to the non-profit's website, Clay has been with the organization since 2000. 

She and four other honorees were saluted during the 2013 “Award of Hope” event on May 16 at the Art Van Furniture store in Novi.

The Art Van Award of Hope is part of the company’s Art Van Million Dollar Charity Challenge.

“These five remarkable individuals speak to the very heart of the Art Van Million Dollar Charity Challenge and embody the spirit in which it was created,” said Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture. “It shows what is possible when we come together to serve the members of our communities and in the process make the world a better place.”

The Art Van Million Dollar Charity Challenge has awarded grants from $5,000 to $50,000 to support 150 Michigan-based children, health and human services programs, donating more than $5 million dollars to statewide charities in five years. 

Clay has also earned the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) Master Board Member Award. The Level 4 Master Board Member Award is achieved by completing a total of nine advanced level courses and a minimum of 368 education credits. Education credits are earned through professional development, leadership experience, and service.