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August 12, 2025
Photos available below for media use
Event spotlights impact of Section 32n funding in boosting academic progress, preventing summer learning loss and providing students with skills for success
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) joined The Burma Center today to celebrate the success of its THRIVE Summer Youth Program, which served over 100 students this summer through a more than $100,000 Section 32n Out-of-School Time (OST) Grant investment. The celebration highlighted the program’s impact in helping students strengthen academic skills, prevent summer learning loss and create meaningful shared experiences with their families and peers.
“MiLEAP values programs that give young people opportunities to strengthen the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “This Out-of-School Time investment is providing students with the tools and opportunities to keep growing, avoid academic learning loss and explore future career paths. We are committed to supporting programs like THRIVE that help every student in Michigan reach their full potential.”
Since 2020, The Burma Center has served more than 750 students in the Greater Battle Creek Community through its school year and summer youth programming. With support from $102,780 in Section 32n OST Grant funding, the organization launched its first-ever tutoring program last year and was able to extend programming from two days a week to full-day, five days a week, with after-care options, giving working families consistent access to safe, educational opportunities for their children.
“The 32n OST funding has been transformative for our youth programming, allowing us not only to continue, but also to expand services that are critical to the students and families we serve,” said Jenifer Pui, operations director at The Burma Center. “Many of our parents face language barriers or have had limited access to formal education, making it difficult for them to support their children academically. Through our after school tutoring program, students receive the academic help they need and may not otherwise have access to at home. Our summer youth program goes even further, offering a rich blend of academic support, social and emotional learning, and field trips that open doors to new experiences.”
The THRIVE program offers academic enrichment, creative and STEAM-based projects, and Burmese language and heritage activities, advancing learning this summer for 111 students in grades K-12. THRIVE also places a strong emphasis on English writing skills and preparing students for college.
Parents say the impact has been clear.
"This program gave my son opportunities he doesn’t get in his regular school like practicing Burmese vocabulary and learning about his heritage,” said one parent. “He learned words and sounded them out to me. We even taught each other things about Burma, and now his vocab is crazy good. It’s helped us connect more as a family, strengthened his cultural pride, and kept him engaged in exploring and building friends in the community all summer."
“I’ve seen such big improvements in my daughter’s skills,” said another parent. “She’s learning the Burmese alphabet and can now recite all of it, which is amazing. On top of that, she’s learned how to count from 1 to 20 in Burmese. I’m so impressed with how the teachers are blending the Burmese language into the curriculum. It means so much to our family. The after-hour care has also been a huge help for us working parents.”
In the 2024-25 school year, 37 THRIVE participants graduated from high school, with four earning a 4.0 grade point average and three ranked among the top 5 of their class. 27 percent of Burmese high school graduates in the community this year participated in THRIVE at some point during their K-12 journey. Additionally, 12 THRIVE alumni earned college degrees this year, and many have gone on to study early education in college and returned to volunteer with the program.
“Programs like THRIVE show that Out-of-School Time isn’t just extra hours, it’s an essential part of a student’s education,” said Rawlan Lillard II, deputy director of Education Partnerships at MiLEAP. “Here, students can master new skills and see their learning reflected in ways that matter to them. These programs also give families the tools, time and shared experiences to support their children’s success. And for some students, it comes full circle as they graduate, go off to college and return to give back to their community. Expanding access to opportunities like this helps ensure more Michigan students and families can benefit in the years ahead.”
MiLEAP awarded up to $226,000 per site to organizations across the state during the FY25 OST grant cycle to support before-, after-school, and summer learning programs. In total, $55.8 million was awarded to 169 organizations serving youth and families at nearly 700 program sites. Governor Whitmer’s FY26 executive budget recommendation includes a $50 million investment in Section 32n to help ensure programs like THRIVE can continue serving Michigan youth year-round.
For more information about these initiatives and others, visit Michigan.gov/MiLEAP/Education-Partnerships.
About The Burma Center:
The Burma Center is a community-based nonprofit serving Burmese Americans and the Battle Creek community through advocacy, engagement, and education to support the whole person. To learn more, go to www.BurmaCenterUSA.org
Parents, students and community members take their seats at The Burma Center for a celebration highlighting the THRIVE Summer Youth Program's achievements and impact in Battle Creek.
Christina Khim, executive director of The Burma Center, welcomes guests and shares on program impact.
MiLEAP deputy director of Education Partnerships Rawlan Lillard II speaks to the importance of 32n invesments and celebrates The Burma Center staff, children and parents on their success.
Lena MacMartin, summer youth program administrator, and Prisilla Thiri, summer youth program teacher, reflect on the program's impact and share parent testimonials.
Students in the THRIVE Summer Youth Program showcase traditional Burmese attire during today's celebration event.
Second and third grade students proudly recite the Burmese alphabet and numerics during today's celebration event, reflecting the program's emphasis on language learning.
THRIVE Summer Youth Program participants perform a dance.
Classroom display at The Burma Center highlights culture-focused projects.
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