Verizon Wireless and The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation Partner to Increase the Graduation Rate in Detroit

Verizon Wireless and The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation Partner to Increase the Graduation Rate in Detroit

InsideOut Documentary Shows Students the Consequences of Dropping Out

DETROIT, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 150 Detroit community leaders, elected officials and students previewed InsideOut, a documentary that will soon be in Detroit public schools, Thursday afternoon at the Communities In Schools Headquarters. Through a partnership with The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation, Verizon Wireless has provided funding to ensure that students in the area receive the opportunity to witness this moving film.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091208/CL22457 )

InsideOut, a documentary developed by The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation to help educators, administrators, parents and community leaders fight the nation's dropout epidemic, allows students to see firsthand the importance of the choices they make. InsideOut exposes the real story of the devastating and lasting effects of dropping out of school, told by those who live with the consequences every day: prison inmates.

"After seeing the documentary and hearing the emotional messages from these inmates, Verizon Wireless knew we wanted to bring this powerful illustration of the importance of staying in school to students in Detroit," said Michelle Gilbert, Public Relations Manager for Verizon Wireless in Michigan.

InsideOut has been seen in 43 states across the country. "The dropout rate in the U.S. has reached unbelievable proportions, and we have to use creative approaches to reach our youth and encourage them to stay in school. We are grateful to Verizon Wireless and Communities In Schools for helping us further our mission to increase the graduation rate in Detroit and communities across the nation," said Shelley Stewart, President and Founder of The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation.

"It is essential that we encourage our youth to stay in school and get an education," said Charlie Anderson, Executive Director Communities In Schools Detroit. "Education is of fundamental importance, and we are excited to partner with The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation and Verizon Wireless to provide students with an opportunity to witness the power of education, and also the likely consequences that await those who make the choice to drop out of school."

InsideOut will start being shown in local schools in the near future.

To learn more about The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation or to have InsideOut shown in your school or community organization, visit www.mattiecstewart.org.

About The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation

The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the dropout rate. The mission of the Foundation is to create tools and resources to help educators, community leaders and parents effectively address the dropout rate and increase the graduation rate. For more information, visit www.mattiecstewart.org.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving 89 million customers. For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Communities In Schools

Communities In Schools of Detroit (CIS) champions the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life. Visit www.cisdetroit.org for additional information.

Source: The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation

CONTACT: Gloria Laster, +1-205-410-3046

Web Site: http://www.mattiecstewart.org/

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