Partners: Variety and the Alliance Team Up for Children

This is the third year that Variety – the Children’s Charity Detroit has funded ReNEWed, Jr. programming for elementary school children in the second, third and fourth grades. 

Variety – the Children’s Charity is an international network of 39 “tents” in 11 countries that serves millions of children around the world.

Michelle Murphy is the Executive Director of Variety – the Children’s Charity Detroit. She says, “Variety is a children’s charity—simply helping kids no matter the need.  Variety provides support and services to more than 20,000 children with unique and special needs, those who are under-resourced, and those living with illness or extraordinary challenges.  Variety is proud to enable happier, healthier and more independent futures via effective and innovative core programs that address the diverse needs of children in our community.

“One of our eight key initiatives is ‘Being You Being Strong.’ The need for this initiative developed from the patterns of increased stress and mental health challenges experienced by children during the COVID-19 pandemic. We worked with the Alliance to develop an elementary-focused program for young children that was based on the Alliance's data driven and impactful ReNEWed program, allowing for continued age-appropriate support.”

“ReNEWed, Jr. has been well received by participating elementary schools, and the demand for the program continues to increase. Adding this mental health focus to our roster of Variety core programs was a priority and meets our program requirements for being ‘sound, swift and sustainable.’”

Julie Brenner, President and CEO of The Alliance, is pleased with the ongoing partnership with Variety. “Variety and The Alliance have common goals for advancing the welfare of kids in our community who are challenged with navigating their feelings in our rapidly changing and demanding world. Variety’s financial support and involvement in ReNEWed, Jr. has allowed both organizations to help more kids than either of us could have reached working alone. Oakland County schools wishing to participate in the program should contact the Alliance at 248.221.7101 or email [email protected].