The Virgil H. Carr Society honors the memory of United Way’s former president and CEO and provides an opportunity for individuals across southeast Michigan to lead efforts to address critical issues affecting our communities.

• Virgil H. Carr
• School Attendance Initiative
• Join Us
• Additional Resources

Known for his unwavering commitment to the people of metro Detroit, Virgil H. Carr led the organization, then known as United Way Community Services (UWCS), from 1993 until his untimely passing in 2003. UWCS and United Way of Oakland County joined forces to create United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005.

During his tenure, Virgil’s ability to build consensus around vital regional issues and to bring people from all walks of life together to address community needs helped further United Way’s mission. Virgil also had an affinity for youth and worked to provide them with direction and encouragement, and to expose them to culture through the Arts League of Michigan, where he was once chairman. The Virgil H. Carr School Attendance Initiative seeks to build on his legacy of providing greater opportunities for young people.

Poor school attendance carries consequences, like higher risk of criminal behavior, substance abuse and welfare dependence. A major focus of our new Agenda for Change is keeping youth in school and helping them graduate ready to succeed. This Virgil H. Carr School Attendance Initiative is an integral part of the solution.

Enabling brighter futures

United Way’s Virgil H. Carr Society is helping more youth succeed in life through its School Attendance Initiative. This vital effort is designed to address alarming truancy rates in southeast Michigan schools, with a goal of increasing attendance considerably over a five-year period.

Chronic truancy is about more than just skipping school, and the consequences affect more than the students – families and communities are impacted as well. As part of our new Agenda for Change work, United Way is focusing on educational preparedness, along with financial stability and basic needs, equipping more people to realize brighter futures.

Research shows that students who are truant are more likely to have a lower income, or engage in criminal activity or substance abuse later in life. With your support, United Way can help more children and parents make attendance a priority and stem the long-term effects of truancy.

The Virgil H. Carr School Attendance Initiative pilot launched in January 2007, and program partners include Communities in Schools of Detroit, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office, the Skillman Foundation, the Wayne Mediation Center and 12 schools in Southwest Detroit. Plans call for the project to be expanded across the region.

Keeping students on the right path

Nearly 350 students and their families are getting the individual attention and support they need to stay in school as a result of the initiative. The youths and their parents are learning the importance of regular attendance, addressing barriers that keep students away from school and understanding the role adults play in keeping children on track. The early returns are positive.

In fact, administrators at participating schools reported a significant improvement during the initial grade reporting period. More than140 students improved attendance records, resulting in 692 more days spent in school.

“We help the children see school as their job,” says Christina Guzman, assistant attendance officer at Maybury Elementary, one of the 12 participating schools.

“Their parents may not have been raised to see the value of school, and don’t pass down its importance. We closely monitor the youth and do home visits if truancy is a problem, which shows we’re serious and we care.”

Over the next three years, the Virgil H. Carr Society will closely follow students. By supporting attendance officers and working to provide the support youths need to address the issues that keep them away in the first place, the Society hopes to drive long-term improvement in attendance rates at Maybury and other schools, creating brighter futures for the students in the process.

Join us

The Virgil H. Carr Society is a United Way leadership giving program recognizing contributions of $1,000 or more annually. The program elevates the work of the African-American philanthropic community and seeks to engage new members in United Way’s mission. Society members combine their time, talent and financial resources to improve the lives of youth across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Get involved, today! Click here or call 313-226-9258 for details.

“The Virgil H. Carr Society is on the brink of something that will influence the lives of youth over the long-term. What better time to get involved than now?” - Ronald E. Goldsberry, Chair, Virgil H. Carr Society

Virgil H. Carr Society: Resources
Success Stories	» Maybury Elementary School, southwest Detroit
Reports	» Educational Preparedness [PDF]
Mutlimedia	» Photo album: VHC Society Build-a-Bike event » Photo ablum: VHC Society presents An Evening on Broadway
How You Can Help	» Join the Virgil H. Carr Society » Find related volunteer opportunities » Spread the word - download and share a VHC Society flyer [PDF]