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Friday, 22 September, 2006 11:31 PM
Dr.
Phil visits 'Youthville Detroit' and donates musical instruments
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Two
students from Youthville Detroit are here to welcome the President
of CBS/Detroit, President & CEO of Staffing Solutions, Mayor
Kwame Kilpatrick, President & CEO of Youthville Detroit and
Dr. Phil.
Acclaimed daytime talk show host, author and psychologist Dr. Phil
visited Youthville Detroit today. He came to the largest youth development
center in the Midwest to donate 32 musical instruments to the downtown
facility.
Dr. Phil, along with
Strategic Staffing solutions President and CEO Cynthia J. Pasky
and Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick teamed up to make it all happen.
It occurred on the eve of the one-year grand opening anniversary.
The facility provides services such as mentoring, leadership development,
arts and crafts, fitness programs, music and drama in addition to
a cyber café.
President and CEO of
Youthville Detroit, Gerald K. Smith praised the collaborations,
"A number of large funds came to our rescue. A year ago, Oct.
5th we opened this facility. The young people; they're the ones
that designed us. Our goal is to make sure that no kid is left behind.
The mayor's been with us the whole time."
Cynthia J. Pasky owns
a multi-million dollar business that she started right here in Detroit.
She is the President and CEO of Strategic Staffing Solutions and
worked with the mayor and Dr. Phil to make it possible. Pasky reports,
"We have a wonderful city. Youthville is just phenomenal. Thank
you so much for Dr. Phil."
Dr. Phil McGraw opens
by talking a little about his childhood. It wasn't smooth sailing
for him in the beginning. He describes, "I just wasn't a good
kid. My dad was an alcoholic. You got out every chance you could.
We were so poor." Dr. Phil has started his own foundation with
the goal to fight childhood obesity.
McGraw became famous
when he appeared on the Oprah Winfrey TV show. He became so popular
that he ended up starting his own syndicated TV show. Dr. Phil mentions
how TV has come to affect our youngsters, "Now there are 500
TV channels. What's being glamorized is absolutely ridiculous and
absurd. These kids are being bombarded with so much input."
Youthville Detroit is
a state-of-the art facility like nothing else. It gives kids a way
to turn their time and energy into something constructive. Youngsters
can learn how to play music, become a leader, and make arts and
crafts and so much more.
The talk show host recognized
that so he decided to come to Detroit and see the facility with
his own eyes. He describes the youth center, "I cannot tell
you how much vision you've put into this place. I saw hearts and
spirits. What a huge difference. I am proud of what's going on here.
It's terrible that music programs are being stripped out."
Detroit Mayor Kwame M.
Kilpatrick was also at the event today. He was a major player in
creating the facility along with the local organizations that are
located inside. Kilpatrick says, "This place is a model for
the world. I'm excited to have Dr. Phil here. I don't wanna be analyzed.
This place is part of the spiritual rebirth in the city. We're all
taking place in this transformation. Now we have a place where you
can learn so many things."
Dr. Phil also made appearances
at the Oakland Mall in Troy. He was there to host a mini "Get
Real" pep talk. Then, he appeared at the Borders bookstore
in Novi along with his wife to sign autographs of her new book.
It's all part of his move from WDIV-TV to WWJ-TV (Channel 62 in
Detroit).
Exclusive
One-on-One with Dr. Phil [ Click
here to listen ]
Jason Rzucidlo: Welcome
to Youthville Detroit.
Dr. Phil: "Really.
I'm glad to be here and how about this Youthville. What a development
center here…This is great!"
Jason: How did you
find this unique facility?
Dr. Phil: "When
we decided that we were gonna change to Channel 62 in Detroit, we
really started looking into the city to see what was going on. We
found out about Youthville because it's such a model for the kind
of development center that goes beyond the recreation center. The
Dr. Phil Foundation focuses a lot on disadvantaged kids and on music
so this was a natural fit for us."
Jason: Has your image
of Detroit changed since you came here today?
Dr. Phil: "I had
a really good image of Detroit before I got here and it has been
confirmed. People talk about this as a city that struggles with
its image. It is image. It's not reality. The people here are good,
solid and caring people. They're very family oriented and they're
very community oriented. It's been very affirming to come here and
meet all the people. I've been really proud of what I've seen. I
came in a big fan of Detroit and I'm leaving an ever bigger fan
of Detroit."
A total of thirty two
instruments were donated to Youthville Detroit by Dr. Phil and Cynthia
Pasky. Of those instruments donated a flute, two clarinets, one
alto sax, one tenor sax, one trumpet, one trombone and one baritone.
Also, two violins, one viola, one cello, one upright bass, an electric
guitar, six sets of practice pads, six pairs of drum sticks and
six practice pad stands.
Youthville Detroit
is part of the Detroit Youth Foundation. It is located at 7375 Woodward
Ave. in downtown Detroit. For more information, please call (313)
875-3400.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
The
President and CEO of Youthville Detroit, Gerald K. Smith, welcomes
everyone.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Mayor
Kwame Kilpatrick speaks with President & CEO Gerald K. Smith
and popular talk show host and author Dr. Phil.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Kilpatrick
praises Youthville Detroit and describes it as a world-class facility.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Popular
talk show host, author and psychologist Dr. Phil speaks inside the
Youthville Detroit facility. He came to donate 32 music instruments
for the kids.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Dr.
Phil says, "I'm
glad to be here and how about this Youthville. What a development
center here…This is great!" His TV show is now being seen
on WWJ-TV (Channel 62 in Detroit).
Click
here for more photos with Dr. Phil at
Youthville Detroit.
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