“I’d like to express my profound thanks for the immense efforts of the team from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company to assist Detroit Public Schools through the Destination: Detroit day of service project,” said Robert Bobb, Emergency Financial Manager of the Detroit Public Schools, in a letter to Company CEO Barry O’Callaghan. “I know it must have been an enormous undertaking to organize so many volunteers to come to Detroit to offer their education expertise and assistance for professional development, painting, reading and math tutoring, technology support, grant writing, adult literacy, library organization, building maintenance and much more.”

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also hosted 19 principals at the Destination: Detroit celebration dinner, where the Company provided Destination: Detroit scholarships to four Detroit Public School students in partnership with the Detroit Public School Foundation.

“Our school system has been invisible for a long time,” said Detroit Mayor David Bing in an address to the Company. “For you [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt] to come to our city, spend some time, do what you do, is truly remarkable and it’s appreciated.”

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt bore all costs associated with bringing the volunteers to Detroit, and the service projects. “Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is committed to Detroit Public Schools,” said Barry O’Callaghan, Chief Executive Officer of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. “We believe that investing in the success of the students, teachers and administrators is the key to transforming education in Detroit and school districts everywhere.”

Volunteers also worked with two Detroit high school senior interns to create a top-quality video which has been viewed more than 1,100 times. The Destination: Detroit video, as well as clips of the pep rally kick-off, can be viewed on the Destination: Detroit Channel at: http://www.youtube.com/DestinationDetroit.