Fact: C.O.P.E.’s mission statement is: C.O.P.E. helps students having difficulty in traditional schools to experience success in academics and conflict management enabling them to achieve positive goals in the home, school, and community.
Fact: The Center for Occupational and Personalized
Education (C.O.P.E.) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit alternative education program.
The majority of its staff are certified teachers. C.O.P.E.’s focus
is on educating youth for all aspects of their lives.
Fact: C.O.P.E. serves high risk youth, ages 10 to 17 years old,
who are not finding success in the public school setting. The majority of our population faces barriers such as being economically disadvantaged, school dropouts, students with learning
or emotional disabilities, expelled students, victims of abuse/ neglect,
on court probation or have demonstrated other at-risk behaviors. However, we also see students who simply thrive in a smaller setting or need more indivudualized attention.
Fact: The majority of C.O.P.E’s funding comes from local public
school districts. Additional funds are provided by
Washtenaw Intermediate School District, the City of Ann Arbor, Kiwanis
Club of Ann Arbor, Michigan Department of Community Health, Ann Arbor
Host Lions Club, Washtenaw Community Health Organization, State of Michigan
Office of Drug Control Policy, and individual donations.
Fact: Programming is targeted to reach youth throughout Washtenaw County. The referral process orginates with the schools in Washtenaw County who have purchased slots in C.O.P.E.’s three programs. C.O.P.E. serves approximately 115 students per year, and has helped over 4,000 students in its over 35 year history.
Fact: COPE is located at 2100 Ellsworth, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Fact: C.O.P.E.’s students attend one of the following two
programs:
• C.O.P.E. C.O.P.E. offers a full or half day alternative education program.
Classes at C.O.P.E. are limited to a maximum of 10 students. The program
focuses on basic academic skills and substance abuse/violence prevention and offers intensive tutoring.
•Middle School Alternative The MSA program is a self-contained
classroom for youth ages 10-13. The program was designed for students
who have been expelled from their home schools as a result of a violation
of the State of Michigan’s “weapons in school” law.
Fact: You can contact C.O.P.E. for further information about programming,
donating, or volunteering through our website at www.cope1.org, via phone
at (734) 547-0419 or via e-mail at info@cope1.org