PONTIAC, Mich., July 28, 2022 — The Ascend Foundation, a local organization that advocates for educational opportunities and community growth, will receive $500,000 in the fiscal 2022-23 budget that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law earlier this month. In response, state Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) issued the following statement:
“I am extremely proud that I was able to secure half a million dollars for the Ascend Foundation in the fiscal 2023 state budget. Getting this appropriation was not easy. It took numerous conversations over the past year with the Appropriations Committee, but I was able to get it done. I am really proud of this appropriation, especially since some of my colleagues were unable to secure funding for their districts. It was an honor to do the work necessary to give this funding to such a worthy group. The Ascend Foundation is out there everyday working for our community. They are ensuring that every child has every opportunity available to them to succeed in life. Having worked with the president of the foundation, Kaino Phillips, for many years now, I can confidently say that this money is going to be put to great use.”