The endowment will support child and youth development in the Detroit Public Schools Community District
DETROIT, September 16, 2021 – The Children’s Foundation announced today that it is the recipient of a gift totaling $1 million from Drs. Ashok & Ingrid (Sharada) Sarnaik.
The Ashok & Ingrid (Sharada) Sarnaik Endowment to Create Ladders of Opportunity for Youth will support child and youth development through enrichment activities and educational sessions in Detroit’s socioeconomically disadvantaged but culturally diverse community. The endowment will also provide vocational and educational scholarships for students at Detroit Public Schools Community District.
“As pediatricians, we have always believed that early childhood experiences, nurturing and mentoring have a major impact on the development of children as future leaders,” said Dr. Ashok Sarnaik. “We subscribe to the philosophy of Ubuntu, a term inherent in traditional African philosophy that means ‘I am because we all are.’ It is important that each of us remembers our bond with all of humanity, that we are all connected.”
The donors believe that society as a whole cannot progress without the advancement of all its parts, and as a result were motivated to make a gift that would improve and provide opportunities to communities experiencing prominent disparities.
“Integrated throughout nearly all The Children’s Foundation’s work is the intention to create healthier, more equitable communities for children and families,” said The Children’s Foundation President & CEO, Lawrence J. Burns. “We are honored Drs. Ashok and Ingrid Sarnaik have chosen us to help them invest their gift in places of need and we look forward to working together to make a great difference.”
Both Ashok and Ingrid have spent their entire careers, from training to senior leadership, at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. Together, they have provided more than 100 years of service and as a result, were moved to support the community where they have dedicated their careers.
