The Oakland County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit is increasing its patrols this holiday weekend as part of Operation Dry Water.

Many people are out on the water to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office wants to ensure people are doing so safely.

Watch Demetrios' full story in the video player below Oakland County Sheriff's Office participating in Operation Dry Water to curb impaired driving on the water

"We certainly want people to come out on the water and Oakland County's got a lot of great waterways, and a lot of great activities going on, but we want people to have a safe weekend," Lt. Brian Burwell of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said.

The sheriff's office marine unit is participating in Operation Dry Water, a weekend-long campaign to keep impaired boaters off the waterways.

"We're looking for people who are obviously operating under the influence, we're looking for reckless behavior, we're looking for people who are making decisions," Burwell said.

As Oakland County deputies cruised Cass Lake on Friday, it was also an opportunity to teach boaters the rules of the water.

"A lot of it is just informing people, they're trying to do the right thing but they're just misinformed," Burwell said.

Another focus for law enforcement is life jackets. Burwell says in 2024 there were 13 drownings on lakes. There was also one drowning as recently as this June.

"Swimming in designated swim areas is so important. Making sure those life jackets are in good working order, they're not ripped, the flotation is not compromised," Burwell said.

To ensure everyone gets home safely, people are urged to avoid distractions while at the helm of a boat.

"Just like in a vehicle, people are texting and driving, they're texting and operating boats. Put those cell phones down," Burwell said.

The Oakland Sheriff's Office also offers free boater safety classes.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

The Rocket Classic is in full swing and hundreds of dedicated volunteers are helping ensure the event runs smoothly.

With a four-day tournament and week's worth of events, it takes a lot of people to put on the Rocket Classic.

"It takes the 1,400 volunteers that we have on the site. The fact that they give up their time to do this so that our community can benefit from a tournament such as this, it's magnificent," Katrina Kelly-Winker, the volunteer chair at Rocket Classic, said.

The event started in 2019, and for Detroit Golf Club member Allen Lewis, watching the tournament come to life was eye-opening.

"To see all the build-out of the stands and what's going on there. It takes some time," Lewis said.

Lewis is one of the volunteers who have helped with the Rocket Classic since its inception. His current role involves helping guide standard bearersthe people who carry signs alongside golfers with their scores.

"So I schedule them all. I pray they come in on time," Lewis said. "Some days I work harder now than I did when I worked."

But as someone who plays the course, he finds it worth the effort.

There are also first-time volunteers like Saisha Dhawan, an avid golfer from Rochester Hills.

"I've been playing for a while. I play like every week, sometimes I have a tournament every week," Dhawan said.

She hopes that by giving her time to the Rocket Classic, she might pick up some pointers from the pros.

"I want to experience watching other players play and maybe even learn from them and affect my own game," Dhawan said.

Volunteers say that each time they come out, it's like joining a big family.

"We come out here because we enjoy it. We know there's a benefit for the community and we just want to be a part of it," Kelly-Winker said.

Volunteer roles range from gallery management to tracking golf balls throughout the four-day tournament.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A popular bar in Taylor may temporarily close after a man was shot outside the business on Sunday.

Big League Brews on Ecorse Road has received a suspension notice following the shooting of a 27-year-old man around 1 a.m. Sunday.

Watch the video report below: Popular Taylor bar faces temporary closure after shooting incident

Taylor police allege a 17-year-old, accompanied by two others, fired the shots. The suspects were not patrons of the bar, according to authorities.

"They walked in the bar, through the bar a couple times and just were engaging this gentleman in the parking lot. He was robbed of his shoes by them," said Detective Lt. Frank Canning of the Taylor Police Department.

"It's hard to fathom that you have a teenager engaging in that behavior."

Two suspects have been arrested while police continue searching for the third.

According to police, incidents at Big League Brews have kept them busy. Since the start of 2022, Taylor police have received 163 calls for service at or near the establishment.

"We have responded there a significant amount of times both directly related to the bar and or the property of patrons," Canning said.

In October, one incident turned deadly when a man was stabbed outside the bar.

Taylor Mayor Tim Woolley, who issued the suspension letter, said the decision was difficult but necessary.

"There's a lot of in-betweens. And that's been the biggest problem, we're there a lot," Woolley said.

While the mayor did not specify how long the suspension would last, employees at the bar said it would be two months. Woolley confirmed the business has 10 days to appeal the decision.

Staff at Big League Brews expressed concern about the potential closure's impact on their livelihoods.

"I just had a baby seven weeks ago, and this is only my second day back," said Lexi Lee, who works at the bar.

Lee defended the establishment, noting they take safety measures including having security on hand.

"I don't think a business can be blamed for things that happen outside of the business. The incidents that happened don't represent who we are as people, employees and especially my boss Matt Taylor," Lee said.

Community reaction has been mixed. Some patrons expressed disappointment about the potential temporary closure.

"I've spent a lot of time there at Big League Brews, I've spent a lot of time there at night and I've never personally felt unsafe," said Edward Perdomo, who frequents Big League Brews.

However, some neighbors believe the timeout is warranted.

"We might have a little more safety, a little less stress. I mean, we never know what's going to happen over there," said Nancy Adams, a neighbor.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

After being away for more than a decade, Davis Aerospace Technical High School will soon return to its original home at Coleman A. Young International Airport on Detroit's east side.

The move, announced Monday, will allow the specialized school to double its enrollment and provide students with direct access to aviation facilities.

Watch the video report below: Detroit aerospace high school returning to airport campus after decade-long absence

Detroit city and school leaders say bringing Davis Aerospace Technical High School back to City Airport is a homecoming that was long overdue and will give students the tools they need to thrive.

With $15 million in funding from the Detroit Public Schools Community District and a state grant, the 53,000-square-foot terminal will undergo major renovations before welcoming students in fall 2026.

Caiyla Turner, an upcoming senior at Davis, discovered the school while searching for new academic challenges.

"We had never heard about it before and we did further research and we realized wait, this is an aviation-based school. This is what I was looking for. It was kind of like a hidden blessing," Turner said.

The specialized high school provides hands-on learning opportunities for careers in aviation. Turner, who plans to become an engineer, values both the academic and personal growth she's experienced.

"I did learn a lot of things academically, but I've learned so much and developed as a person in terms of character," Turner said.

Since 2013, Davis aerospace school has been housed inside the Golightly Career and Technical Center on the city's east side. The school was relocated from Coleman A. Young Airport while Detroit Public Schools was under a state-appointed emergency manager.

"The system had deteriorated and I think Davis aerospace being kicked out of City Airport is an example of bad decision-making," Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District, said.

The return to the airport campus will enhance educational opportunities, according to district leadership.

"To be able to leverage the former City Airport for our students, I think, is going to make a world of difference regarding their development," Vitti said.

Jason Watt, director of Coleman A. Young International Airport, said big renovations are coming in order to fit the facility for students.

"Everything you see today will be different. You'll see children hustling and bustling through here. It's going to be a huge draw," Watt said.

The move will allow enrollment to double from 100 to 200 students.

"In DPSCD, we have a lot of options and a lot of opportunities, but it's really getting the word out to that individual student that wants the aviation and aerospace opportunity," Vitti said.

The Detroit Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen supports the move, saying it will give students advantages in the aviation field.

"We don't want them to start at the bottom. They won't start at the top, but in the middle somewhere is good," Lawrence Millben, historian for Tuskegee Airmen-Detroit Chapter, said.

Construction is expected to begin this fall.

A metro Detroit pastor has received a major surprise that will help her continue feeding those in need throughout her community.

Anna Taylor-McCants of Ypsilanti was awarded $100,000 during a recent appearance on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" for her work addressing food insecurity through FedUp Ministries, where she is the director.

Watch the video report below: Ypsilanti pastor receives $100K grant on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' for feeding community

"I love to show love through hospitality, and food is so important in the church world that I went to my bishop and a couple of other pastors and said we really need to launch a different kind of ministries," Taylor-McCants said.

FedUp Ministries operates a food truck and collaborates with other nonprofits to provide free meals to people facing food insecurity. The organization also offers a shower and laundry trailer.

"Everything we do, we kind of go out into the community to meet people where they are," Taylor-McCants said.

For her community work, Taylor-McCants was nominated for the Pilot Pen G2 Overachievers award, which recognizes individuals making a difference in their communities.

"Some time between July of last year and December, we wrote the grant and I completely forgot about it. We submitted it and it was over," Taylor-McCants said.

About a month ago, she received an email informing her she was a finalist, which led to an invitation to appear on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" in New York City.

"First of all, I love Kelly Clarkson. I loved watching her become the very first American Idol. I thought that was the beginning of the era," Taylor-McCants said.

What she didn't know was that she wasn't just a finalist; she was the winner of the $100,000 G2 Overachievers Grant.

"I almost jumped out of my skin," Taylor-McCants said.

She plans to use the grant money to build a hub for FedUp Ministries.

"Creating our own kind of place for the community to gather, for our organization to go and to cook in the kitchen and to refill with water," she said.

As a pastor, Taylor-McCants sees a deeper message in this experience.

"Having the faith that if this ministry is meant to continue, if people need our services and want it here, God will provide," Taylor-McCants said.

In total, FedUp Ministries has served more than 75,000 meals and provided over 10,000 hygiene services.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

As the school year wraps up, Michigan teens are facing a more challenging summer job market than in recent years, with teen unemployment expected to reach its highest level since 2020.

Watch the full story from Demetrios Sanders in the video player below Summer job market tightens for Michigan teens as school year ends

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget forecasts that around 260,000 teens aged 16-19 will enter the state's labor market this summer, with teen unemployment projected at 15.8%.

For 15-year-old Ariana Medel of South Lyon, finding her first job proved to be a challenge.

"My parents really wanted me to get a job and I also wanted one as well. So, it was kind of important for me that it was something I kind of enjoyed doing," Medel said.

Her job search experience reflects the tightening market.

"I started applying a little bit before the school year ended and they didn't really get back to me much, and I applied to a few more places a little after school ended and only one got back," Medel said.

That one place was a restaurant in Wixom, where she is now training.

"I realized it was a lot harder to find jobs in a particular area, so I went with what I found but I'm happy with what I got," Medel said.

Jason Eddleston, owner of Ray's Ice Cream, believes economic pressures in the food and beverage industry may be contributing to the hiring slowdown.

"I think you've seen a rash of closures that have happened. A lot of food and beverages have a June to June time frame on a yearly basis and have realized: You know what, we just can't do it anymore. And I think that those are normal jobs that a lot of high schoolers filled in," Eddleston said.

Despite the broader trend, Eddleston's shop has actually seen an increase in applications this year through community outreach.

"I probably have the largest stack of applications in the three years my wife and I have owned the business," Eddleston said.

However, this abundance of applicants creates difficult decisions for business owners.

"I wish I could hire everyone but I really can't. I think that to really learn this job, you need more than one shift a week," Eddleston said.

Eddleston remains hopeful about future job market conditions while acknowledging economic cycles.

"There's always ebbs and flows. Especially depending on who is in the White House. Democrats, the Republicans, things change, there's more available jobs, there's less jobs. So I think that's just part of doing business," Eddleston said.

To adapt to the changing market, Eddleston has created hybrid positions for college-aged former workers who are struggling to find internships in their fields.

A metro Detroit couple has reached a rare milestone! Fred and Fran Stokes of Allen Park are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.

See their love story in the video below: Meet the Allen Park couple celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 6% of marriages last 50 years, with that number dropping even further for 70 years. The Stokes tell me they've made it this far through a lot of love and faith.

Both growing up in Melvindale, Fred and Francis have a bond that goes back to their childhood. They first met at a park at 12 years old, and reconnected again in junior high school. The rest is history.

"We've become sweethearts since then and got married when we were 19," Fran said.

Their wedding happened in 1955, a time when Fred says things were a lot simpler.

"It was probably more common than at 19. A lot of our friends were married early and a lot of them right out of high school as well," Fred said.

As the years went by, Fred, who works in Masonry, and Francis, who worked at a law firm, continued to build their lives together.

They now have two daughter, six grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren with two more on the way.

"So in total, if we, our families, if we combined everybody, I think we'd be at 38 people. So you can realize how many birthdays, how many celebrations there are in a given year," Fred said.

After 70 years, Francis said she and Fred have become one in many ways.

"Sometimes we're thinking the same thing, we're going to say the same thing, it gets to where you pretty much know each other," Fran said.

They say a key to their long-lasting love has been their faith.

"We came to know the Lord as our savior when we were about 20 and that changed our lives and the whole family is like that, involved in church," Fran said.

They also add that remembering the little things in life goes a long way.

"Remembering your birthday, anniversary, but I mean more than that. It's just knowing each other so well, it's hard to explain. It's communicating," Fran said.

As they celebrate their platinum anniversary, Fred gives a lot of credit to his wife.

"First of all, I'd say I'm not perfect. Fran has the upper hand there," Fred said.

Where Your Voice Matters

A Detroit-based financial literacy program for children is calling on the community for help as a once-in-a-lifetime educational trip to Washington, D.C., is in jeopardy.

Watch Demetrios Sanders' video report: Youth financial literacy program seeks community support for trip to D.C.

Money Matters for Youth needs to raise $20,000 after losing a key sponsor for their June 17 trip to the nation's capital, where students are scheduled to meet with legislators and visit the Supreme Court.

"There's needs versus wants. We need funding to make sure this trip happens. We already have opportunity in DC, we've just got to get to DC," said Gail Perry-Mason, founder of Money Matters for Youth.

The organization will host a fundraiser on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Hunt Street Station in Detroit, where students will collect community donations to help cover the costs.

Perry-Mason founded the program nearly 30 years ago after noticing a lack of diversity in financial summer camps featured in the Wall Street Journal.

"Nobody that went to the camp looked like people I know in Detroit, like my sons," she said.

Her program now offers opportunities such as summer camps, teaching Detroit area students about budgeting, investing, and other financial skills.

"We taught them etiquette, we taught them how to invest, we talked to them about the stock market," Perry-Mason said.

Students involved in the program say the financial education they receive is invaluable.

"It teaches me that I need to start saving, start doing compound interest, making sure everything is good so I'm set for the rest of my life," said Jerimiah Young, a participant with Money Matters for Youth.

Another participant, Zion Dolly, emphasized the program's broader impact: "It's good to watch the money in the world, understand the economy because that's how the world operates, and that's kind of what Money Matters teaches you."

For the students, the Washington D.C. trip represents an opportunity to engage with national leaders.

"This helps us get your problems to someone larger than us, someone larger than the city councilwoman, larger than the mayor. Someone who is a part of Congress," Young said.

Perry-Mason hopes the community will support their efforts: "If you make more deposits in life than withdrawals, you'll never be in the negative. Make deposits into our youth."

The community can also support Money Matters for Youth by visiting their website.

This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

The Detroit Grand Prix returns to downtown Detroit this weekend for the third consecutive year, with drivers and local businesses eagerly anticipating the event.

Watch Demetrios Sanders' video report: Gearing up for the Detroit Grand Prix

Portions of downtown Detroit have been transformed into a racetrack as the city prepares to host the Grand Prix, which begins Friday and continues through Sunday.

"It's always great to be back in Detroit. Obviously, being in a Cadillac and the GM family, with the Renaissance in the background, it's like we're racing in our backyard," Jordan Taylor, driver, said.

This year's field features some familiar faces, including Scott Dixon, who won last year's Detroit Grand Prix.

"This track is definitely very challenging, quite tight, funnels in a lot of areas. Love being back here," Dixon said.

Also racing at the Grand Prix is Alex Palou, who won the Indy 500 just days ago.

WEB EXTRA: indy 500 winner Alex Palou talks ahead of Detroit Grand Prix WEB EXTRA: indy 500 winner Alex Palou talks ahead of Detroit Grand Prix

"I love it, it's challenging. It's a big challenge after the month of May that's been really intense for us, to come here without resting in a week, but that opens up a new challenge for us," Palou said.

This is the third year in a row that the Detroit Grand Prix has been held downtown after the event was moved from Belle Isle.

"There's only 15 cities in the entire world that have urban racing, and we're one of them and, we're so lucky to have that," Bud Denker, chairman of Detroit Grand Prix, said.

Denker says the event will draw well over 100,000 visitors and is expected to bring $100 million into the city.

"Every hotel, cafe, restaurant are full this weekend, but it also gives us an amazing postcard to the world. Showing our beautiful waterfront, riverfront, and seeing cars go 100 miles an hour," Denker said.

As the event gets underway, staff at Woodward Coney Restaurant in downtown say they're looking forward to the crowds.

"It's very exciting. It brings more business to our company, and we have a full staff, and we really enjoy seeing new faces and new people," Retha McIntosh, waitress at Woodward Coney, said.

Organizers are reminding the community that about half of the track can be viewed at no cost.

"It's pretty special for me to see the smiles on people's faces and seeing new people come into our sport because it's free in most places," Denker said.

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Detroit's techno music scene continues to influence the world as the city prepares for its annual Movement festival this weekend.

Watch Demetrios Sanders' video report: Movement music festival starts this weekend in Hart Plaza

Kevin Saunderson, one of the pioneers of Detroit techno, described the genre to 7 News Detroit.

"We still come from Funk, from Soul, and we put a certain love or creativity into the way we created it. So it's music to dance to, made with electronic tools," Saunderson said.

The genre came to life in Belleville, Michigan, originated by Saunderson's friend Juan Atkins, who envisioned creating music for the future.

"The only equipment I seen at that time was like set decks, I'd seen turntables. So Juan had synthesizers and stuff I just didn't know," Saunderson said.

FULL INTERVIEW: DJ Kevin Saunderson talks about Movement festival and the history of electronic music FULL INTERVIEW: DJ Kevin Saunderson talks about Movement festival and the history of electronic music

Saunderson explains that over time, Atkins' musical style influenced him and another friend, Derrick May. As they perfected their craft and released more music in the 1980s, they realized they were part of something revolutionary.

"We were going around to these different places and DJ'ing, and seeing the people's response. It was spinning, it was like a virus," Saunderson said.

In 2000, the music received additional recognition when the Detroit Electronic Music Festival now known as Movement was held for the first time.

"It was a connection. It was a way for us to educate youth and everyone about this sound; it wasn't Motown music, it was different music being made," Saunderson said.

Electronic music has only grown in popularity over the years, inspiring artists like Brian Kage, a DJ and producer who creates Detroit techno.

Kage started getting involved with music when he was 17, inspired by the video game-like sounds he heard on the radio.

"Wow. People actually make this music, and holy smokes, it comes from Detroit as well," Kage said.

Kage has now become one of the Detroit DJs asked to perform at the Movement festival.

"We're pushing forward the sound of Detroit, but we're also paying respect to where it comes from," Kage said.

As Detroit prepares to dance the weekend away, Kage believes the festival is unparalleled.

"I would say this is the greatest festival in the world," Kage said.

The Movement festival begins Saturday and will continue through Memorial Day.

Leaders at Belle Isle are hoping to create a new public commons area aimed at making the park more accessible and connected for the more than 5 million annual visitors.

The Belle Isle Conservancy and the State of Michigan are in the early stages of developing a plan to bring a public square to the 982-acre park.

"Getting in your car, going directly to wherever you plan to go, whether that's the aquarium or the beach or wherever. You do your thing, you get back in your car, and then you leave," said Meagan Elliott, president of Belle Isle Conservancy, describing the current visitor experience.

The initiative stems from a study a few years ago, when the Belle Isle Conservancy partnered with the State of Michigan to look into improving travel throughout the park.

"Folks said that they wanted better ways to get around the island," said Elliott.

Extended interview: Belle Isle Conservancy president shares vision for public square Extended interview: Belle Isle Conservancy president shares vision for public square

The public square, being called Belle Isle Commons, would create a space where visitors can spend more time and discover unexpected attractions.

"What folks want to see is a space where you can actually linger. Maybe be introduced to something that you didn't expect to that day, or some programming, consistent food and beverage options," said Elliott.

The main area of focus for the space is in front of the park's aquarium and conservatory, which Elliott notes is the primary destination for 61% of visitors.

"So if that's the main spot where folks are going first on the island, we need to make it function better for them and also make it more connected to all the assets that are right around it," said Elliott.

"The Oudolf Garden is right next to the conservatory, and even kids row, the giant slide," she added.

Currently, conceptual design work is being completed before seeking additional community input.

"Basically, to kind of get enough of an idea based on what we initially heard from residents, turn it around to a design concept, and then get enough of that on paper so we can go right back to the community to say what you think about this," said Elliott.

Regular visitors to Belle Isle expressed enthusiasm for the possible changes.

"If they can make the island friendly to seniors and more accessible, I'm for all of that, said Otis Starghill, a Belle Isle visitor.

"If it makes the island more walkable and encourages more people to bike over or even walk across the bridge, I'm all for it," said Kaysen Chown, another Belle Isle visitor.

A preliminary design is expected to be released this summer.

This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Thousands of Wayne County residents are now living with less stress about their medical bills thanks to a recently launched program that's helping wipe out medical debt.

The Wayne County program has already eliminated around $42 million in medical debt for 71,000 residents who earn at or below four times the federal poverty level, or whose debt exceeds 5% of their income.

Canton resident Larry Turner was among those who received relief. About 11 years ago, Turner was injured after being involved in a car crash that forced him into early retirement.

"It was a very major accident and it took me out of work," Turner said.

The incident caused him to undergo several surgeries, and despite having insurance, he was left facing thousands of dollars in medical bills.

"I tried to keep up on them, but sometimes when things got tight, Cost of Living going up, you have to decide which way to go. Rent, food, bills?" Turner said.

FULL INTERVIEW: Larry Turner talks about his medical debt and the relief he received FULL INTERVIEW: Larry Turner talks about his medical debt and the relief he received

Turner found relief after receiving a letter in the mail informing him that some of his debt had been erased.

"How did they get my name? And then they told me the process, and they just reached out. I'm glad they did, it was a blessing," Turner said.

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans emphasized the impact of medical debt beyond financial concerns.

"The stress of medical debt for people is real. Not just the financial part, but also their reluctance to be treated or to go back to a hospital because this debt is lingering," Evans said.

To make the debt relief possible, Wayne County is investing $5 million into a partnership with the organization Undue Medical Debt, which eliminates people's debt for pennies on the dollar.

"We do this by leveraging our government and philanthropic funds to acquire medical debt at scale, either from hospital systems directly or the secondary market," said Courtney Story with Undue Medical Debt.

Through the program, Wayne County hopes to erase $700 million of outstanding medical debt. Story says they are working toward that goal.

"As we work with more hospitals across the state and in the county and as we purchase additional secondary market files, additional people will experience relief," Story said.

Residents cannot apply for the program, but those who receive a letter with Undue Medical Debt branding in their mailbox can expect relief is headed their way.

Evans also addressed concerns about the legitimacy of these notices: "Is this a hoax, is this a scam? It absolutely is not."

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The Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in Detroit will expand after receiving a major donation from Henry Ford Health.

The health system has donated its former Kingswood Hospital, a 70,000-square-foot facility in Royal Oak Township, to the charter school.

Watch the video report below: Jalen Rose Leadership Academy expanding after receiving gift from Henry Ford Health

The announcement came during the 15th annual Jalen Rose Leadership Academy Celebrity Golf Classic at the Detroit Golf Club on Monday.

"We get zero state funding, so to have the support of Henry Ford Health and the donation of a facility just allows us to expand what we're doing. It's an incredible undertaking," said Jalen Rose, co-founder of Jalen Rose Leadership Academy and former NBA player.

Watch our full interview with Jalen Rose in the video player below: Full interview: Jalen Rose talks about Henry Ford Health donation for new school campus

The former behavioral health facility along West Eight Mile Road will be renovated to become the new high school campus for the academy, with construction expected to begin later this year.

"When we started thinking about how we were going to transition out of the behavioral hospital, we thought this may be a great option, and the opportunity to educate is part of what we do," said Jerry Darby, vice president of planning, development and design with Henry Ford Health.

The current Jalen Rose Leadership Academy building will be converted into a middle school, allowing the charter school to accept sixth through eighth graders for the first time.

"We currently serve 400 high school scholars and another 1,000 graduates because we have a 9-16 model," Rose said.

The new high school building will include amenities like a full-sized gymnasium, providing expanded opportunities for students.

NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, who attended the celebrity golf classic, praised Rose's commitment to education.

"For him to be doing this for this long, this amount of time and the amount of kids' lives that he's affected, man I just take my hat off to him," Woodson said.

The annual golf classic serves as an important fundraiser for the tuition-free charter school. Rose said they're also hoping to raise money for the high school renovation, which will cost upward of $20 million.

"Events like this mean everything. They're paramount to what we do," Rose said.

Rose emphasized that the academy's mission is focused on student success.

"They're disciplined, they're hard working, they want to be successful. They have big goals, big dreams and we're here to help them chase them," Rose said.

This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.