Community,Our People | October 02 2019

FCA Foundation Helps Detroit Students, Staff Begin School Year with Clean Drinking Water Through Hydration Stations

Before the start of the 2019 school year, the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) announced that it met its timeline of providing clean drinking water for students, staff and families. 

More than 500 hydration stations have been installed in DPSCD schools and serve as the long-term solution for clean drinking water.   

“As an organization we defined the problem and moved forward with a solution based on the timeline we articulated last year,” said Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District. “This work would not have happened without the contributions from our partners. We’ve implemented one hydration station per every 100 students and every school has at least two hydration stations to ensure our students are safe.”

The hydration stations were made possible by the business community, who collectively donated more than $2.9 million for the project, including a $100,000 grant from the FCA Foundation, the charitable foundation of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

The district hopes its proactive approach to ensuring clean water for students will be shared by other schools in Detroit and throughout the country.  

“The FCA Foundation is proud to help provide clean, safe drinking water, which will promote a healthier learning environment for students and staff of the Detroit Public Schools Community District,” said Christine Estereicher, Director – State Relations, Civic Engagement and External Affairs – FCA US LLC and Vice President – FCA Foundation.