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Johnson Controls employee Jennifer Binning is pictured with her fifth grade partners at Cornerstone Schools.

Johnson Controls employees work with Detroit students

School achieves high advancement rate

Ninety-five percent of eighth grade students at one Detroit, Mich. school are advancing to high school with the assistance of a partner program with Johnson Controls.

Twenty years ago, Cornerstone Schools opened its doors to 167 Detroit area youth. Now, one of Detroit’s most respected educational facilities welcomes 500 students a year and boasts some remarkable results. During the last two decades, 91 percent of former Cornerstone students have sought higher learning after high school.

“In a city challenged by low high school graduation rates, this is an accomplishment made possible by many and worth celebrating by all,” said Ernestine Sanders, Cornerstone president and CEO.

For the past 15 years, an average of 10 Johnson Controls employees have worked alongside Cornerstone faculty and volunteers each year to help students achieve educational excellence through the Cornerstone Partner Program. This year, 18 Johnson Controls employees are volunteering in the program.

"Thank you for coming to Partner Day. You are the best partner ever!"

-- A note sent by Cornerstone student Nautica to a Johnson Controls employee
Employees and students develop meaningful connections during four, two-hour Partner Mornings throughout the 11-month school year. On these days, partners review a student’s progress and work with them on projects in the classroom.

Johnson Controls employees such as Jennifer Binning attend activities, listen and ask questions. She shares her journey in education, information about her career and family, and regularly sends students notes of encouragement.

In return, students develop trusting relationships with her, share their ongoing academic progress, and send thank you notes.

“Every time I walk into the school, I am met with eager faces and bright eyes,” said Binning, managing director of the Ford Business Unit for Johnson Controls Automotive Experience. “Just being there, the students know someone cares. I realized what an impact I had when I was talking to a student’s mom at the fifth grade graduation, and she told me that my partner talked about me all of the time. It was then that I realized how much our time means to the students.”
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The Johnson Controls African American Affinity Network helped boost employee involvement at Cornerstone. more
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