Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Chaldean Community Foundation
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 3601 15 Mile Rd.
City: Sterling Heights
State: MI
Postal Code: 48310
Main Phone: (586) 722-7253
Main Fax: 586-722-7257
Organization Website: https://www.chaldeanfoundation.org/
Employer ID Number: 20-3963417
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2/25/2025
Requested Amount: $5,280

Project Title: At Home Reading Initiative
Project Description:

Little Scholars Preschool program began in 2021, shortly after discussions with individuals from the Michigan Department of Education. Many refugee and new American children in Macomb County were entering Kindergarten with significant deficiencies in early literacy skills and little to no preschool experience.

With this, CCF developed the Little Scholars program; free preschool for children ages 3-5 years old. At the start of CCF’s program, classes were offered twice a week, focusing on child-led play and intentional use of literacy artifacts within developmental areas. Our current school year has 96 students enrolled with a 2025-26 wait list of over 60 families.

We are proposing an initiative to provide one book per student each month throughout the 9-month school year along with a summer 2026 event for parents of new students. The summer one-time event will be a collaborated effort with the MISD, (Macomb Intermediate School District). MISD will provide a Literacy Specialist to educate parents about the importance of emergent literacy and reading at home.

Age appropriate, these books will align with the monthly lesson plan. Two preschool teachers and two teacher-aides will meet with parents to help them better understand the importance to reading in English to their preschool child daily – to strengthen classroom learning, creativity, retell the story, so both parent and student can grow their vocabulary. Each book will correlate with the monthly theme and lesson plan, prompting discussion among the preschooler and their parent, while building literacy skills of parents and their child. Monthly lesson plans include STEM, dramatic play, math literacy, character social skills, and sensory.

CCF’s At Home Reading Initiative will address reading and communication skills. Participating students are from low-income and below poverty level families – 80% of students are from new American families.

Total Project Budget: $6,530

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed: Bookstock Fund = $1,250

Project Duration: 10 months
Geographical Area Served: Metro Detroit
Age Group To Be Served: 3 – 5 years of age. Early Childhood and Preschool students.

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Susan
Contact Last Name: Smith
Contact Title: Grant Writer
Contact Phone: (586) 722-2624
Contact Email: susan.smith@chaldeanfoundation.org