SRO was founded in 2000 by two college kids and childhood friends to serve as a community-based, math and science tutoring and technology resource for public school students in the Cooley, King, Winship and Bethune neighborhoods in northwest Detroit, MI toward improved academic achievement and computer literacy. In 2008, the work of the organization grew to include the founding of the Highland Park College Access Network (HP-CAN!) – a collective impact initiative created to increase college access for low-income, minority and first-generation students in the underserved communities of Highland Park and Hamtramck, MI. Our partners in the effort included the City of Highland Park, the Highland Park School District, the Highland Park Business Association, the Boys & Girls Club, University of Detroit, Oakland University, Wayne State University, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan College Access Network and others.
In late 2018, after several years of inactivity, SRO was reorganized. Now armed with the mission to effect economic justice and equality, we promote proven pathways out of poverty and low-wage living toward economic mobility and security for at-risk residents and families throughout our community. It is our vision that at-risk Detroiters — through SRO’s programming — will gain critical tools along with a skillset that will allow them to access professional and educational opportunities toward achieving economic mobility and security, breaking the cycle of economic insecurity for generations.