Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation awards $120,000 to the Midnight Golf Program
Funding to support student success and basic needs security through college completion
The Midnight Golf Program (MGP) is pleased to announce it has received a $120,000 grant from the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation. This gift will support the MGP Family Fund, providing direct assistance to MGP high school and college students in covering the costs of their basic needs including tuition assistance, housing support, transportation, food, and general student support on their journey to college completion.
“In the face of the pandemic, many of our students are relying heavily on Midnight Golf for support,” said Reneé Fluker, Founder & President of the Midnight Golf Program. “With many of our students and parents whose income has been challenged by the pandemic, they don’t have the supplemental income needed for many of their day-to-day needs. This funding from the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation will help our young people stay in college, graduate and ultimately achieve their long-term goals.”
The Midnight Golf Program mentors young adults on the journey from high school to college and on to a professional career. This year, Midnight Golf is celebrating 20 years of positively impacting the outcomes for youth throughout the metro Detroit region. Since 2001, over 3,500 young adults have experienced the transformational program that includes life skills instruction, mentoring, college advising, a college tour, and PGA professional golf instruction.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified challenges faced by many youth and families in our community. The Foundation is privileged to partner with Midnight Golf Program as it continues to respond to young people’s urgent and basic needs,” said Virginia Romano, Chief Executive Officer of the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation.
About the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation is dedicated to transforming lives in profoundly positive ways through grants focused on health, youth and families, and animal welfare. By maintaining the focus of the work on its mission, the Foundation hopes to enrich lives by providing the resources needed to lead full and healthy lives. The Foundation believes in working with organizations in its focus areas to create opportunity, have community impact, and promote wellbeing. For more information, visit www.dresnerfoundation.org.
About the Midnight Golf Program
The Midnight Golf Program was founded in 2001 by Reneé Fluker, a social worker and single mother who noticed the impact golf had on her son’s life. Today the program annually serves 250 new high school seniors who participate in a 30-week curriculum to learn the game of golf, build relationships with mentors and develop life skills. Midnight Golf helps seniors enter college and continues mentoring throughout college and into the graduates’ professional careers.
For more information contact: Clover McFadden, cmcfadden@midnightgolf.org, 248-792-9438.
