SAY Detroit, a nonprofit committed to providing support and opportunities for underserved communities, has announced it will be expanding its footprint with a new SAY Detroit Play Center at St. Cecilia’s. According to a report from Detroit Free Press, the announcement came during the organization's 14th annual radiothon, which is a key fundraising event that last year brought in a record $2.23 million. The intended center will enhance the after-school educational opportunities for kids on the city's west side.
Founded in 2006 by Mitch Albom, SAY Detroit has a history of aiding the community through various initiatives, including free family health clinics and housing programs. The new facility will look to replicate the success of the original SAY Detroit Play Center, opened in 2015 on the east side. According to clickondetroit.com, Rick Kelley, Say Detroit’s executive director, emphasized their commitment towards improving educational outcomes, stating, "We’ve improved test scores, math, English, you name it." The new St. Cecilia's center aims to create a nurturing environment that supports academic success, as well as physical and social growth.
The storied St. Cecilia gym, where Detroit basketball legends once honed their skills, is set to become a modern hub for youth development with the addition of an academic wing, a STEM lab, and a football field. This revitalization effort is confirmed by saydetroit.org as part of a multimillion-dollar campaign to transform the iconic St. Cecilia campus into a high-impact resource for young people and families. The plan articulates a deep reverence for the historical significance of St. Cecilia’s, aiming to preserve its rich legacy while adapting it to serve contemporary educational and recreational needs.
Enthused by the project’s community-centric vision, local figures like Mayor Mike Duggan and former Mayor Dave Bing have voiced their support. SAY Detroit conveyed Duggan’s sentiment from the radiothon, "If there is one center that means something to longtime Detroiters, it’s St. Cecilia’s…That gym and that school have been sitting vacant for a long time… You want to do something that would mean something to the basketball tradition of this city, the neighborhood tradition of this city—this is it." This endeavor echoes the city's broader ambitions for rejuvenating community spaces and providing inclusive opportunities for personal and professional growth among its younger population.
The organization, which has a track record of academic and developmental programs, has achieved significant milestones, including a 100% graduation rate for the senior Class of 2025 at its original Lipke Park location. With an established model for supporting students in their educational and athletic pursuits, SAY Detroit is poised to make a similarly positive impact through the new SAY Detroit Play Center at St. Cecilia.
