To further its mission of uplifting the communities in Metro Detroit through educational and employment opportunities, AT&T Michigan’s Believe Detroit initiative has teamed up with Jefferson East, Inc (JEI). Through a $100,000 donation, Believe Detroit is helping JEI expand its East Jefferson Development program and enhance its services by empowering more Detroiters with economic opportunities.
“Investing in our communities is what Believe Detroit is all about and we are proud to help JEI expand its critical services that help improve outcomes in Detroit,” said David Lewis, president of AT&T Michigan. “JEI is strengthening equity and development from the ground up and AT&T is lucky to help amplify their important work.”
Since 1994, JEI has been driving inclusive developments along east Jefferson and throughout its adjoining neighborhoods. JEI focuses on ensuring that economic growth in Detroit is inclusive, by including development strategies in their work such as workforce development for local residents, new employment opportunities for Detroiters and training for minority contractors to enable expansion and hiring of residents.
Support from Believe Detroit is helping create a new Neighborhood Resource HUB that will be located at E. Jefferson Avenue at Lakewood Street. This innovative facility will be the home base of JEI’s Housing & Neighborhood Services team, which serves more than 1,100 residents annually with a range of services designed to keep them in their homes and apartments.
“JEI is thrilled that, with the final piece of support from AT&T, we will be able to move back to the neighborhood where we were founded and provide an enhanced level of services for residents of Jefferson Chalmers and all the neighborhoods along east Jefferson,” said Josh Elling, CEO of JEI. “Our new Neighborhood Resource HUB will allow us to double the number of residents we serve and ensure that everyone can benefit from Detroit’s continued resurgence.”
The Neighborhood Resource HUB will offer a wide range of services to local residents including foreclosure prevention, financial coaching, home repair resources as well as home health and safety services. In addition, residents will be able to create an individualized action plan including a strategy and the resources needed to ensure they can remain in and improve their homes. The hub is currently under construction and JEI hopes to open it in the spring of 2021. AT&T’s Believe Detroit will support the program as it continues to directly drive opportunities for Detroiters now and into the future.
Lewis continued, “AT&T Michigan is proud to support institutions like Jefferson East, Inc. that are creating positive change in Detroit. We will continue to Believe in Detroit and invest in its people to change the trajectory of their lives and make an everlasting impact.”
About Post Author
