Get Involved: Leaps and Bounds

Get involved: Leaps and Bounds

Location/contact: 8129 Packard, Warren, MI  48089

Call: (586) 759-3895

Executive director: Denise Dorsz

Visit:  www.leapsnbounds.org

Objective: Leaps and Bounds is about education in the broadest sense. The group focuses creative and collaborative action on the health, education, social and economic needs of high-risk and low income children and families. Three years ago the group changed its name from the Poverty and Social Reform Institute to reflect its mission – improving literacy by leaps and bounds.

Leader:  Denise Dorsz, executive director, helped transform an organization started in 1988 by civic and church leaders to help enhance the early childhood experience to a multifaceted organization that serves hundreds of children and families in Macomb and Wayne County. Its outreach extends from infants and toddlers in early childhood parenting classes to GED training for adults. She recently began an innovative program whereby at risk teens become mentors and tutors to elementary school students which has helped both groups prosper.

"Youth need a chance to give back, we often refuse teenagers a chance to mentor unless we perceive them as good kids, instead of encouraging them to lift themselves through others," said Dorsz. She noted adult supervisors monitor tutoring sessions and offer guidance as needed.

Newest project: "Playing with the Brain" offers school age children in third to eighth grade a chance to learn math, reading, science and social studies while having fun this summer. Forty students are eligible for seven weeks of programming, 24 hours a week with two certified teachers. 

Service:  In the past year the 25 volunteers, staff and contractors oversee the 188 adults enrolled in family learning centers, 162 kids between five and 14 enrolled in after school programs, 12 teens that mentor 12 preschoolers and groups that interact with parent-child groups. “Every parent wants to be a good parent yet they desire ways to improve their skill set.”

United Way involvement:  United Way helped subsidize an early child room that serves as a learning center for kids zero to five and their families in the Warren administrative center. It includes bright colored area rugs, tiny tables and chairs and ample learning objects. Through play, song and numbers sequencing children learn and parents gain skills in helping the process while empowering youth.

Volunteer needs: Cash is in short supply as volunteers and staff are stretched to supply learning materials, games, song books, textbooks and more to the hundreds of adults and children served in programs at the administrative center, churches and schools.

Visit www.leapsnbounds.org for more information.

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