Our Projects

Red Wagon
The Wayne-Westland Community School District, in collaboration with the Wayne-Westland Health & Welfare Advisory organized a literacy project in our school district called The Red Wagon.  The project is fully supported by grants, donations, and community volunteers.  The Red Wagon has served the community since 1999.  Joan Carr is the project creator and an active member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Simon & Jude in Westland.  Throughout the summer, over 150 volunteers pull red wagons full of books through the neighborhoods of Elliott and Taft-Galloway Elementary schools, serving over 1500 youth.   

Our Goal:

1. Put books in the homes of children
2. Involve parents in their child's reading
3. Promote literacy among the community members, from children to adults who may not have transportation to the local libraries

The project has been very well received nationally and by the community:

1. Recognized by the Michigan Association of School Boards as the "Best of the Best in 2004"
2. Recognized by the National Association of School Boards in 2004
3. Joan Carr received the Athena Award in 2006 in recognition for her efforts with Red Wagon and other community projects.

If you would like to get involved in The Red Wagon or make a donation,
contact the Family Resource Center at (734) 419-2709 

Project 180
The Family Resource Center, in collaboration with our Parent Liaisons and the Wayne-Westland Board of Education, holds an annual event for parents and families of our district.  Activities include workshops for parents with students of all ages, community resources, and much more!

Parent Liasions
The Family Resource Center teams with parents from each school to act as a representative for the district and the school.  These liaisons work very closely with their building principal and parents to help meet the needs of their school.  Some of the projects these parents have developed are:

• Math curriculum trainings for parents
• Career Days for students
• Fundraisers
• Parent support groups
• Parent surveys
• Literacy training for parents and students
• and more...

** The above picture was taken at the Family Resource Center Fundraiser Buffet put on by Chef Tony and his Culinary Art Students to help feed families for the holidays.