Midland nonprofit gets $1M state earmark for training educators, students

A Midland-based nonprofit organization that offers professional development training to teachers and others who work with youth is getting $1 million from the 2024 Michigan budget.

The Rock Center for Youth Development runs several programs, including summer camps, after-school activities, and Discover You. The latter conducts in-person and online workshops for adults who will advise students in various ways. The workshops currently advertised on the program’s website include “fostering resilient youth,” “personal growth and development,” and “mental and emotional wellbeing.” Topics include emotions (recognizing, managing and using them), making connections with others, and practicing a growth mindset. Each training costs between $1,499 and $2,999, which, according to an FAQ page on Discover You’s website, are often through organization’s professional development funds. In some cases, it says, participants can obtain continuing education credits.

The Rock Center received $650,505 in donations in 2020 and $741,289 in 2021, according to its Form 990, which can be found on GuideStar.org. The organization reported roughly $58,000 in revenue from programs in 2021, with just over $1 million in expenses. It reported no income from governments for that year. It reported spending more than it took in for the last two years.

CapCon sent an email to the official contact for Discover You. There has been no response.