EMU Bright Futures After-School Program at Ypsilanti International Elementary School

Mission: to serve our students and families in these ways, and are excited about the new school year!

Bright Futures forges an alliance with three economically challenged suburban school districts and Eastern Michigan University’s Institute for the Study of Children, Families, and Communities in the office of Engage@EMU. The project serves students and families in 14 schools in the Wayne-Westland Community School District, eight sites in the Ypsilanti Community Schools, and three sites in Romulus Community Schools. Bright Futures is designed to address the needs expressed by the families and children served, community stakeholders, and school staffs. Currently, the program focuses on math, reading, writing, health, and social emotional growth.

Bright Futures programs meet after school for two and a half hours Monday through Thursday, 32 weeks during the school year and 6 weeks in the summer. Students participate daily in homework help, targeted academic assistance, mentoring, and project-based learning and select from a rotating menu of clubs and activities. Clubs focus on student interests in science, the arts, technology, engineering, culinary, physical fitness, personal development, and specific skills to support Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and a successful transition from elementary to middle, from middle to high school and to post secondary programs (college, university, career technical programs, etc).