Macomb Cultural & Economic Partnership
MCEP
MCEP Today
Today MCEP works to be a bridge for cultural understanding. Our local, regional and international travel opportunities are designed to expand participants’ understanding of other people, places and customs. Promoting understanding can lead to new partnerships, which in turn can help bring about greater economic success for all. We hope to begin our travel programs soon when we think it is safe.
MCEP also focuses on neighborhood improvement as a key to a community’s economic success. Rescuing and remodeling a foreclosed building at 92 NB Gratiot in Mount Clemens was the initial step taken by MCEP to improve our community. In 2018 we created a neighborhood conservation corps program that gave jobs to high school students to perform street clean-up in our community during the summer months. Over a dozen students have benefited from this project in its first two years. We were unable to hold the program due to Covid-19, but hope to resume it.
All vibrant communities have art. MCEP now coordinates programs that expand art in communities. The outdoor Mount Clemens Sculpture Project began in 2018 in conjunction with the MI Sculpture Initiative LLC. It is an ongoing project thanks to the generous cooperation and support of local businesses and sponsors. The Sculpture Project has gone from 8 sculptures the first year to 35 in this year.
All MCEP programming is directed to students and adults alike. We welcome the opportunity to partner with neighborhoods and communities. Just call or email and see what we can do together.
A Volunteer Board of Directors oversees the activities of MCEP
Julie Matuzak, President
Ed Bruley, Secretary/Treasurer
Kathy Banks, Board Member
Paula Drewek, Board Member
Patricia Rabaut Konrad, Board Member
Tim Morse, Board Member
MCEP Past Programs
Summer Experience for University Level International Students in Law, Business and Engineering
This program offered international students a chance to be exposed to American culture and an academic area of interest. It has provided a home stay period with an American family as well as a trip to Washington DC and/or various Michigan sites.
Three-month Legal Study
This program offered the student visitation and court watching at every level of Michigan and Federal Court in Michigan. They were able to see a trial of all types from beginning to end. They were also able to interact with legal professional at all levels. This was accompanied by a cultural program to meet and talk with families throughout their time here.
After School Cultural Trips
MCEP partnered with a local high school to provide after school trips to introduce the students to new experiences such as theatre, art, food and other new cultural experiences. There was no charge for this program. Students were invited by the school to participate on these twice a month after school trips.
High School International Travel
This program was a cooperative arrangement where MCEP organized and staffed an overseas trip in cooperation with local high schools. These trips ranged from 60 to 10 students per trip.