On August 20, IFF and Matrix Human Services (Matrix), along with numerous partners, celebrated the opening of the new McClellan Early Childhood Center (McClellan) in the Gratiot Woods neighborhood on the East Side of Detroit with a ribbon cutting event.

The event welcomed city, state, and federal representatives, along with community members, and featured remarks by Matrix CEO Brad Coulter, IFF President of Core Business Solutions Kirby Burkholder, City of Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison, Matrix VP Early Care and Education Cristal Claussen, The Kresge Foundation Managing Director for the Detroit Program Wendy Lewis Jackson, JPMorgan Chase Head of New Markets Tax Credit En Jung Kim, Cinnaire Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary Lucius Vassar, Representative for Congressman Shri Thanedar Sam Smith, and local parent Cornetta Moemka.

Following remarks, a Spirit of Detroit Award was presented to McClellan and the entire team on behalf of Councilwoman Mary Sheffield. The ribbon was then officially cut and attendees were invited to tour the facility. Scroll down to view photos from the event

Located on the site where Detroit Public Schools’ Pingree Elementary once operated, the 15,000-square-foot-facility features eight classrooms that are providing 96 new seats for early learners in the community, and is a prime example of what is possible when passionate partners come together. The $8.75 million project was funded and financed by JPMorgan Chase, Cinnaire, The Kresge Foundation, the City of Detroit, PNC Bank, and IFF.

McClellan is the second center whose physical design and programming reflect the priorities identified in the Hope Starts Here framework. Marygrove Early Education Center, which opened in 2021 and was developed through a partnership between The Kresge Foundation, Starfish Family Services, IFF, and others, was the first. Like Marygrove, McClellan emphasizes leading practices for the design, operation, and financing of early childhood facilities. Each classroom encourages play and learning while providing ample opportunity for interaction with the natural landscape surrounding the facility, which was designed by D Met Studio and built by general contractor PCI Dailey.

Informed by input from more than 300 community members that was gathered through canvassing and neighborhood events by IFF partner MACC Development – a place-based community development organization – McClellan also features a community room and meeting spaces that will be used by residents and local organizations for decades to come.

Additionally, acknowledging the importance of a significant asset like McClellan staying in the hands of the community, IFF will act as interim owner of the facility, taking on the upfront risk and enabling Matrix to develop programming and focus on serving the children enrolled at the center and their families. After Matrix’s operations at McClellan are well established, the organization will have the opportunity to assume ownership of the facility.

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