Bob Seger Supporting Local Youth Program

ROCHESTER, MI — Music superstars Kid Rock, Eminem and even Madonna, in the past few years, have been outspoken supporters of metropolitan Detroit and Michigan. Quietly, rock legend Bob Seger is doing his part, too.

For the second straight year, Seger is sponsoring the Dale Carnegie Teen Program at Oakland County’s Children’s Village. The Village is a residential facility for children and youths who are in need of out-of-home services. Children’s Village provides residential care and treatment services for youths and their families.

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The first class of 12 at-risk Children’s Village teens graduated from the Dale Carnegie Teen Program in June of 2016. They learned public speaking and decision-making skills. Their self-confidence grew every session. Most importantly, the students learned to replace negative attitudes with positive thoughts and actions.

“I got to watch each of these students change right before my eyes. I know that this year we’ll again see incredible changes in all the teens taking the course,” said Aaron Danish, a Brother Rice High School student who, as a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Teen Program, was inspired to bring it to Oakland County Children’s Village. Now, he is a volunteer graduate assistant with the program.

“I saw the big difference this program made for me and my classmates,” Danish said. “We gained confidence and learned goal setting and public speaking skills. It occurred to me that those who need it most rarely have the financial means to get this kind of training and support.”

So he spoke with his mother, Dr. Myra Danish, a board member of Children’s Village Foundation, and together they contacted Seger who immediately embraced the program. Based on last year’s results, Seger agreed to support it again this year.

Danish participated as an assistant in the 2016 course under the direction of Kathy Tosoian, a Dale Carnegie instructor. Tosoian will return this year to lead the course with Danish at her side.

“Oakland County is grateful for Mr. Seger’s support and continued generosity,” County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. “His participation sends a powerful message to our at-risk youth that they matter and their success matters.”

Photo by Mike Coppola / Staff / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images