Our Goal, Vision & Commitment
Register & Help Make Change
Volunteer, Participate, or Donate
Who We Are
The Konnection is a Detroit-based mentoring program designed to encourage and empower youth to improve school performance and attendance. The Konnection partners with middle and high schools in underserved communities to provide resources including basic needs, enriching after-school programs, mentoring, field trips, career exploration, and travel opportunities. Our goal is to keep students excited about learning and engaged in school.
Our Why
With chronic absenteeism on the rise, Detroit leads the nation. Student chronic absenteeism is directly linked to poor academic performance. In the 2021-22 school year, 77% of students in Detroit Public Schools Community School District were deemed chronically absent.
Studies show that students with mentors are more likely to stay engaged in school resulting in higher academic performance, more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to use drugs. The Konnection is focused on helping students stay engaged and excited about school through meaningful relationships, fun & exciting experiences and resources!
The Konnection is committed to helping move the needle on student chronic absenteeism.
The greatest legacy we can leave our children
are happy memories
- OG Mandino
Our Mission
Inspiring youth to broaden their horizons through positive relationships and healthy connections.
Our Programs
Konnection Klosets
Resource closets providing hygiene items, non-perishable foods, school supplies, and underclothes for students throughout the school year.
Konnection Klubs
After-school program providing mentoring, academic enrichment, and career exploration for middle school students.
Konnection Kudos
A public acknowledgment celebration and exciting out-of-the classroom adventure for students with the highest class attendance.
Our Vision
Upon high-school graduation, each mentee will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, experience, and confidence to succeed in every area of life in any environment across the world.
Our Core Values
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Excellence- Be bold and innovative. Holding ourselves and others to the highest quality and standard possible.
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Service- Willing to listen, empathize and respond. Embrace and drive change.
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Confidence- Having faith in our abilities, the person I am, and the accomplishments I will achieve. We will be positive leaders in every room we walk in.
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Respect- Inclusive and collaborative. Understanding and appreciating diversity.Treating everyone with civility and kindness.
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Relationships- Building strong and healthy two-sided relationships with peers, teachers, family, and friends
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Ownership- We accept personal accountability for our actions and decisions.
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Fun- We enjoy what we do and have fun while doing it. We strive to keep a light, positive and exciting environment.
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Love- Love is patient, love is kind, love doesn't envy or boast. It isn't proud or rude. Love isn't self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...
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Contact Us!
Looking to become a partner or volunteer? Do you have a general message, question for us? Let us know!
sharnese@thekonnection.org | Tel: 313.312.8712