Who We Are
Our History
Our History
Community Enrichment & Developmental Institute, also know as CEDI is a non profit 501c3 private school. We are dedicated to educating, enhancing and cultivating the lives of our students in our Daycare, ages ranging from 6 weeks to 3 years old) as well as in our school, ages ranging from 4 to 14 years old, pre-kindergarten through 8th grade). We are a team of professionals working together to develop wisdom, knowledge and good moral principals that our students can utilize on a day to day basis and throughout life.
Our History
Our History
Our History
Community Enrichment & Developmental Institute began in 2006. CEDI was founded and comprised by a team of highly educated teachers and professionals that saw a need for educational advancement and growth for our youth. CEDI’s teachers began to teach students pre-k through 8th grade that had been struggling or had fallen behind in the public school sector in educational studies.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission is to reach, teach and provide quality education to all students throughout our community and surrounding communities. We empower students to take responsibility for their present and future learning by developing both their interpersonal and educational skills, thereby propelling them into success in the “NOW” as well as in their future endeavors.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Vision is to provide outstanding educational support in a comprehensive and integrated work environment; and to prepare each student to succeed while embracing their own unique individuality.
Quality Teaching + Effective Effort = High Achievement
Create...
Create a wholesome learning environment that promotes independent thinkers.
Embrace...
Embrace differences, build confidence and motivate.
Challenge...
Make our learning journey fun yet challenging, keeping our students involved and enthusiastic about the learning process.
Build...
Build teacher/student relationships promoting communication, cooperation and mutual respect.
In the Classroom
In the Classroom
In the Classroom
We comprise our classrooms of no more than 20-25 students and we offer one to one teacher student/educational time to assist those students that are in need of additional support.
We provide Individualized Educational Plans a.k.a. IEP’s to all students. The IEP’s are structured to address the educational needs, and identifies the educational strengths of each student. IEP’s identify the present level of performance, as well as determine if additional supportive services are needed.
Adult Enrichment
In the Classroom
In the Classroom
Our Adult Enrichment Program involves teaching our parents and/or adult participants parenting skills, computer literacy, resume writing, and job interview techniques. Our goal for the Adult Enrichment Program is to reduce as many barriers as possible, empower, encourage, give hope and hands on assistance. We aim to continue to develop the self-worth and self-esteem of each individual participant. Our adult programs are built and tailored to increase overall knowledge and confidence, and to equip oneself for change and ultimate success.
Daycare
In the Classroom
Before School
In our daycare we provide services that cultivate communication, play, and social skills of each students. For example, in our Toddler Talk and Teach Program, we teach toddlers to express themselves through word play to better develop their initial communication skills. Through books, flash cards, digital and video recordings, infants and toddlers learn basic sounds, how to identify shapes, colors, numbers, animals and even how to express their feelings.
Before School
Before School
Before School
Our Before School program begins at 6:00 a.m. and concludes at 8:30 a.m. Before school is where our team of professionals gather our students and/or program participants and prepare them for their day. We offer each student/participant breakfast while allowing them to engage in peer/group social time before they go off to their individuals schools and/or classes.
After School
Before School
After School
After school, begins at 3:30 p.m. and concludes at 6:00 p.m. After school is where our team of professionals aid students/participants as they develop social skills amongst one another. This is where we implement what we call The Peer Power Social Session. During The Peer Power Social Session, is where we provide busy work to all participants and play educational and/or recreational games that encompass learning, social development and fun for all. Students/participants receive a health hardy snack and are also assisted with homework if needed.
Our Founder & CEO
Dr. Catherine Fox
Hi, I am Dr. Catherine Fox. I taught in the public school sector, grades pre-k through 8th, ages 4-14, for over 10 years. During this time, I not only witnessed first hand educational disadvantages amongst students that had been subject to large class sizes and disproportion student/teacher ratio; but also the disadvantages of students that were subject to inadequate resources, bullying and violence. Disadvantages such as these caused major setbacks amongst students that were striving to meet educational standards; and because of this, I knew that changes needed to be made, but how? How would I go about making a difference in the lives of students that had fallen behind? How would I make changes in the atmosphere in which students learn? What about those students that felt discouraged? Or those that felt incapable of learning? I knew that educational and environmental changes were an essential key in changing the lives of students. I along with a group of school officials decided to work together, to form what we know today as Community Enrichment & Developmental Institute. Community Enrichment & Developmental Institute was created to meet the needs of all students across the board. Those students that had fallen behind or those that were discouraged; those students that were said to have learning disabilities, or those that were simply distracted by being subjected to large class sizes. As a team we aspire to give each student different tools to learn while they learn at a comfortable yet consistent pace. Overall our goal is to help each student retain the information learned long-term. Our teaching techniques are geared towards building self-esteem and awareness; while creating an environment that makes an impact that is both challenging yet fun for all students.
Our Vice President
Ann L. Frye
Ann L. Frye holds a B.S. in Business Management from Northern Michigan University. Following graduation, she served as Secretary at U.A.W 157 in Romulus, Michigan, before venturing into entrepreneurship. Jane successfully opened, operated, and managed Mr. Din’s Restaurant, and later ventured into hair services with Din’s Hair Replacement Center/Hair Weever, and Barber and Beautician roles at Harold O. Frye Funeral Home, Inc. Her career also encompasses substitute teaching, specializing in special needs education.
In her extensive church involvement, Jane has a rich history of setting up Children’s Ministry Programs, teaching Sunday School and Bible classes, and currently serves as a member of House of Prayer Pentecostal Church of God in Jackson, MI. Actively engaged in various ministries, she contributes as a Worship-Praise Team member and Soloist, musician playing guitar, Interim Sunday School Teacher, and Intercessory Prayer participant. Jane's compassionate outreach extends to prison ministry, writing letters and offering prayers, as well as providing support to the sick and shut-in through singing and prayer in nursing homes, hospitals, and private homes. Additionally, she serves as an Assistant Host for Intercessory Prayer Line and Exalter for Praise & Worship Music at Abundant Life Ministry.
Our Secretary
Dana Young
Bio Coming Soon
Member
Karin Warden-Thomas
Karin Warden-Thomas received her associate degree in nursing, from the University of the Virgin Islands, in St. Thomas the United States Virgin Islands, in 1983. Subsequently, by 2010, Ms. Warden-Thomas received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing, from Saint Xavier University, in Chicago, Illinois. Ms. Warden-Thomas holds a Doctorate in Nursing from Valparaiso University.
Since 2010, she has practiced as a Family Nurse Practitioner and is certified through the ANCC. Ms. Warden-Thomas has experience in cardiac/medical intensive care as well as pre- and post-operative care. Ms. Warden-Thomas currently works as a Nurse Practitioner at John H. Stroger of Cook County Hospital, in Chicago, Illinois, where she has served patients for the past twenty-two years. During her time at Stroger, Karin worked fifteen of her years as a Trauma Nurse Specialist often assuming the role of charge nurse and nurse leader. She also serves as an educational source – working as a preceptor for both students and medical staff. She aspires to do mission work in the Sudan and other under-developed countries providing medical care and treatment while spreading the Gospel.
Karin has been awarded and is an honorary award recipient, for nursing excellence in the ER, by the National Black Nurses Association- Chicago Chapter. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International- the Alpha Omicron Chapter, member of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the Illinois Nurses Association (INA) and the Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses of Indiana.
"I was a former T/A paraprofessional at CEDI. I enjoyed every minute of it! I was not only able to witness, but also to be instrumental in educating students and helping them achieve success."
- A. Miller
"My son attended CEDI. He tremendously improved overall in all subjects. Not only did his teachers help improve his grades, but his confidence as well. When he started at CEDI he was in 5th grade working between a 3rd and 4th grade level, after one years time he has not only caught up to his grade level, but has advanced to a 6th grade level in reading and writing. The time and attentiveness they put into their students is unbelievable. I highly recommend any parents that wants to see growth in their children education to enroll them in CEDI."
- a Parent
"Community Enrichment & Developmental Institute is and has always been a great school! The teachers have always went above and beyond to help meet the needs of the children. I’ve always felt that the teachers promote and foster a challenging learning environment where kids can be kids!"
- Dr. Barrie
"I was a participant in the adult literacy program. I learned computer literacy and other job readiness skills. I am now employed as a secretary and I am now currently enrolled in college furthering my education."
- Victoria A.
"In my opinion, this is one of the better daycares/schools around. My child has gained great communicative and social skills since being there. I enjoy their Toddler, Talk and Teach Program and the fact that they have an open door policy. Great atmosphere! Great staff and above all I feel that my child is safe and secure while there."
- Ms. Gibson
