St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center began in 1844 as St. Vincent’s Academy in Detroit, a kindergarten for orphaned children. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
DETROIT, June 21, 2019 – St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center (SVSF) has named two new members to their Board of Trustees: Andrew Blank and William Korte.
Blank, a Birmingham resident, joins the board after a year of volunteering with SVSF’s children’s program. This was how he became acquainted with the Center, and he quickly took its mission to heart. “The more time I spent with the kids, the more I saw how much good the organization did,” Blank explained.
When he heard that SVSF was looking for new board members, he had just sold his business consulting firm. He decided that he could use this as an opportunity to dedicate even more time to the organization and its mission.
“I have a passion to help,” he said.
Korte, a Grosse Pointe resident, is new to the organization after a referral from a friend introduced him to its mission. He said that it was the Center’s volunteers that encouraged him to pursue a board membership. “They’re really sincere,” he said. “They’re dedicated to the needs of others.”
After working for over 40 years in the financial industry, Korte retired and is excited to be dedicating more time to volunteering. It is especially significant that he is working with an organization that benefits Detroit — as a seventh-generation Detroiter, he feels a special connection to the city.
Korte’s mission as a board member is to help SVSF continue being self-sustaining. “I look forward to continuing their mission of serving those with an educational need,” he said.
Diane Renaud, executive director and CEO of SVSF, is thrilled with the new additions. “Both Andy and Bill bring unique experiences and qualifications to our Board. We are excited to have their help as we move to our next 175 years of service,” she said.
About St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center
St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center began in 1844 as St. Vincent’s Academy in Detroit, a kindergarten for orphaned children. Now celebrating its 175th year, the organization has grown and evolved, which included a move to Farmington Hills before coming back to its roots in Detroit. Although it closed its residential doors in 2006, it still continues to fulfill its mission of serving at-risk families by providing free, personalized educational support for children and adults. These programs are designed to help build self-sufficiency skills for academic and employment success, personal achievement and dignity. Visit http://www.svsfcenter.org/ to learn more. | 
