For more than 20 years, DTE Energy has been a major supporter of ACCESS and all the services it provides to the metropolitan Detroit area and across the country.
Ron May, executive vice president of Major Enterprise Projects at DTE Energy, said DTE’s relationship with ACCESS, the largest Arab American nonprofit human services organization in the United States, stems from a mutual goal of empowering the local community.
“The very nature of ACCESS is its concern for social issues that affect people on a personal basis,” May said. “DTE has that same thought for our customers who struggle daily to pay their gas and electricity bills. We know that those utilities are essential and we work to make sure no one is without power.”
May, who serves on the ACCESS Board of Directors, said he is continuously impressed with ACCESS’ commitment to assisting and improving the local community through more than 100 programs that strengthen and support families, with a unique focus on Arab Americans.
“Forty-three years is a long time to be in a service-oriented mission, and ACCESS does that very well,” he said. “We commend the dedicated staff at ACCESS, who work diligently and devote their time and energy all year to make a difference in the lives of others. They haven’t strayed from their vision and ACCESS continues to serve as a beacon to the community.”
DTE Energy prides itself on its commitment to diversity across all of its markets. As a strategic partner, the company has helped fund the Concert of Colors, a four-day annual music festival held in Detroit; Global Fridays at the Arab American National Museum; and the ACCESS Annual Dinner. In 2013, the energy company teamed up with ACCESS and Mission of Peace to host an energy awareness day at Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) in Dearborn, where more than 130 Wayne County residents were able to apply for assistance to pay their bills through The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW). In addition, DTE has provided thousands of dollars to ACCESS through its charitable arm, the DTE Energy Foundation.
“We value our long-term relationship with ACCESS, and we look forward to building on that relationship and working together in the years ahead,” May said.
