It's an effort to get Detroit public schools and the neighborhoods around them to work together. State and local leaders have a plan to keep students safer between home and the classroom.
We asked student Danetria Jones-Davis where there have ever been times when she felt unsafe coming to school?
"Actually, yes, there have been times I have felt unsafe," she said. "Actually, this whole year I have been getting rides to school."
Thursday, the governor, the mayor and DPS emergency manager Roy Roberts announced a plan they believe will make students like Jones-Davis feel safe as they travel to and from school.
They're launching a comprehensive program that includes demolishing dangerous abandoned homes and improving others with the help of community members and partners.
The state is also launching a program called "Pathways to Potential," which will put social workers inside neighborhood schools at family resource centers.
"The reinvention of Detroit is not waiting to happen. It is happening," said Governor Rick Snyder.
"It's about rehabilitating homes, turning the streetlights on and making sure that our children can walk to and from school safely," said Mayor Dave Bing.
The program will focus on neighborhoods surrounding nine Detroit schools chosen based on demographics and strong student and parental involvement. J.E. Clark Preparatory Academy is one of them.
"I truly believe that if one were writing the history of Detroit public schools, today would be the first page of its most hopeful chapter," Roberts said.
"It makes me feel humble and appreciative to be able to walk around and walk to school and from school in a safe environment," said Jones-Davis.
But will the city and the state be able to effectively work together to make this program a success for the long haul? Both Mayor Bing and Governor Snyder say yes, and with so many bright futures at stake, we hope they're right.
"Isn't this the right thing to do? Let's just use common sense and get something done, and that's what today is," said Snyder.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:04 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:04:18 GMT
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:23 PM EDT2013-05-17 00:23:43 GMT
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:01 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:01:40 GMT
Recess at Academy of the Americas in southwest Detroit is 20 minutes out of the day where all kids have to do is play, and that time is more valuable than you think.
Recess at Academy of the Americas in southwest Detroit is 20 minutes out of the day where all kids have to do is play, and that time is more valuable than you think.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:26:50 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:10 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:10:41 GMT
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:42:57 GMT
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
