This is a portion of a commentary by Kresge Detroit Program Managing Director Wendy Lewis Jackson that originally ran online in the Detroit Free Press. Read the complete op-ed here.  

Detroit made history, electing the first women in the city’s 324 years to the role of mayor. Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield is kicking off her victory by asking residents their concerns. It’s not just smart political strategy, it’s critical, in a time when residents have loudly expressed their desires for stronger neighborhoods, and for plans to bolster the city’s public schools.

Young people need to be front and center in Sheffield’s vision for the future of Detroit, starting with how our neighborhoods support youth and families.

Nearly 160,000 people in Detroit are under the age of 18. And newly released U.S. Census data shows that more than 51% of Detroit’s young people are living in poverty. Alarmingly, that percentage has grown in recent years.

As Detroit rises, we cannot overlook the challenges facing its youngest residents. Sheffield stands poised to lead in the arena of education, building a new future for our youngest residents. While Detroit’s mayor does not run the school system, she will be able to evaluate how our city government, in its entirety, supports our children. Education begins with stability — children need secure housing, basic necessities, and safe routes before they can thrive academically. All of these circumstances can help or hinder a child’s school day.

Read the full op-ed here.

This strategic brief outlines five key partnership opportunities between city government, schools and community organizations to strengthen neighborhoods and retain families: