Kids at Cody High School in Detroit called on 7 Action News in January, saying help fix my school! They said they were sick and tired of having ceiling tiles fall on their heads as they tried to learn. That story now has inspired action.
Rachid Elabed, the Community Engagement Manager at The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) says he saw the story and decided he could be part of the solution. He went to the leadership team and suggested they take on fixing the school for a community service project. They made it part of the 12th Annual Arab American Service Day.
“It is sad this is happening, but we want to fix it,” said Mustapha Haidar, a volunteer.
They aren’t just fixing the ceiling tiles in classrooms. They plan to clean up the lots around abandoned houses across from the school, improve landscaping at the school, paint over graffiti at a park across from the school, and install doors on bathroom stalls where there are none. Local contractors, Home Depot and Lowe’s have all donated supplies.
Students like Khiya Ashe will help hundreds of volunteers transform this school.
“My dad went here,” said Khiya, a freshman at the school. “I would love to see it improve and be here for years to come.”
Tavon Hale, who spoke out raising awareness about conditions in the school for our story in January, says it sends the message to students.
“We learned our voice is a powerful tool,” said Hale.
7 Action News is committed to telling stories with the goal of improving schools. If there is something we should be covering email us at fixmyschool@wxyz.com.
