FCA Foundation's grant supports Velocity Jr. partnership

Photo: The City of Sterling Heights City Council and Utica Community Schools accept a check from FCA Foundation at the Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015 City Council meeting. (From left, Councilman Nate Shannon, Councilwoman Deanna Koski, Mayor Michael Taylor, Councilwoman Barbara Ziarko, FCA Foundation Vice President Brian Glowiak, Utica Community Schools Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Robert Monroe, Councilwoman Maria Schmidt, Councilman Doug Skrzyniarz, Councilman Joe Romano, City Development Director Denice Gerstenberg.)

Utica Community Schools and the City of Sterling Heights have received a $12,500 grant from the FCA Foundation, formerly The Chrysler Foundation, for Velocity Jr. Velocity Jr. offers hands-on classes for elementary and middle school students in engineering, signal transmission, aerodynamics, computer science, robotics, chemistry, and more during school breaks.

Velocity Jr., based out of Rose Kidd Elementary School at 38397 Gladstone in Sterling Heights, is designed to encourage growth of a workforce capable of filling future high tech job opportunities that will help Michigan’s economy grow. Velocity Jr. serves as an incubator for nurturing students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Sterling Heights City Development Department applied for the FCA Foundation grant in an effort to support Velocity Jr. programming for residents of Sterling Heights and the surrounding communities. The FCA announced in late 2014 that Velocity Jr. would in fact be awarded the grant.

“The City of Sterling Heights is incredibly grateful for the donation from the FCA Foundation to support Velocity Jr. programming,” said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael C. Taylor. “Teaching children crucial technical skills at a very early age not only enriches their minds and grows their skill sets, but also prepares them for higher education and possibly even future careers. The City of Sterling Heights is proud to collaborate with Utica Community Schools to maintain Velocity Jr. as a hub for the future of Michigan’s workforce.”

Brian Glowiak, Vice President of the FCA Foundation, said one of the strategic pillars of the FCA Foundation is to focus on K-12 educational programs and specifically the support of curriculum and programs that are designed to re-energize students’ interests in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

“We selected Velocity Jr. for this grant because of its demonstrated success and its innovative approaches in engaging students with STEM learning activities through hands on experiences,” Glowiak said. “Our support is intended to help students prepare to be part of a future workforce that can compete globally. The ability to create new products and services has been a traditional source of American success and trends demonstrate that our innovative economy is going to continue to be driven by people who have skills in math and science.”

“The support of the FCA Foundation once again demonstrates the community’s commitment to ensure our students have a competitive edge for the high-paying jobs of the future,” said Dr. Christine Johns, Superintendent of Schools for Utica Community Schools. “Velocity Jr. sparks that important love and interest in STEM-related careers that is the spirit behind the nationally-recognized efforts to develop our region’s future entrepreneurs and business leaders.”

The Velocity Jr. program, launched in 2012, serves as a complement to the economic development efforts housed at the Velocity Collaboration Center, 6633 18 Mile Road in Sterling Heights, home to the Macomb–Oakland University Business Incubator and a center for economic development, targeting defense, homeland security and advanced manufacturing. Velocity, a Pure Michigan SmartZone Collaboration Center, serves as a hub for business incubation and economic development, targeting defense, homeland security and advanced manufacturing.