CHEA - Center for Higher Education has several components that include an Adult Skill Center and a Community Resource Housing Program. The Center for Higher Educational Achievement (CHEA) was established with the goal of building strong communities and offering programs to address educational, economic, and residential obstacles that hinder the self-sufficiency of individuals and families. Through
out its history, CHEA has consistently identified the needs of the residents in Flint and Genesee County in order to break down these barriers. In 2011, CHEA established the CHEA Adult Skill Center, which provides personalized one-on-one academic training in basic reading and math, GED preparation, job training skills for high school graduates struggling with math and reading below the 5th grade level, and computer training for adults aged 25 and older. In 2012, CHEA launched its Financial Literacy Program, which has since evolved into ongoing, individualized sessions in collaboration with three community banks. These sessions are designed to equip students with essential knowledge about basic banking and homeownership strategies. In 2016, CHEA introduced the Sustainable Community Housing Program, aimed at reducing homelessness among local residents and promoting stability in the community where the CHEA Adult Skill Center is located. Between 2018 and 2020, CHEA actively participated in the Land Bank's Clean & Green Program, employing local residents and adult education students to maintain and clean approximately 1,785 lots on Flint's east side, contributing to community improvement efforts. Between 2018 and 2019, CHEA initiated the "CHEA Use of Knowledge is Power Community Engagement Radio Show" on Flint's AM 1420. This platform became a crucial avenue for connecting with Flint residents, engaging in weekly discussions about local programs and services offered by various agencies and organizations, ultimately raising awareness within the community. From 2019 to 2021, CHEA expanded its mission to prime-time television with the show "CHEA Use of Knowledge is Power" on the CW Network. This television program increased CHEA's visibility and brand recognition across the State of Michigan, empowering
engaged listeners, and viewers with the understanding that applied knowledge can lead to personal growth and positively impact their lives and the surrounding community. Recordings of previous radio and television shows are accessible on YouTube under "CHEA Adult Skill
Center," providing a valuable knowledge library. In July 2021, CHEA opened the CHEA Community Resource House, conveniently located next to the CHEA Adult Skill Center. This facility offers much-needed space to provide comprehensive community resources, including
therapy sessions, social work intervention, and a community computer lab. Additional partnerships facilitate Civil Legal Counseling Services and Department of Health & Human Services MIBridges support to expand the range of assistance available to the community. In 2023, CHEA restricted the CHEA Sustainable Community Housing Program to house homeless military veterans, further focusing its efforts on serving this specific demographic.
