DETROIT MAY 28, 2013 – Cody High School students are uniting to take back the Cody-Rouge community, and they’re starting by planting 200 trees at the park across the street from their school. YOUTH VOICE, an affiliate of the Harriet Tubman Center that organizes Detroit youth to build their own power to create change, is partnering with the students and faculty of Cody’s three schools. The groups are also partnering with the Greening of Detroit, who will be providing 200 trees.
As of February 2013, the City of Detroit has left Stein Playfield, across the street from Cody High School, abandoned and unmaintained, with no streetlights, bathrooms, running water or usable athletic facilities. On Saturday June 1, 2013 11am-3pm the Cody Rouge community will be coming together to clean up Stein Playfield, plant 200 trees and show the neighborhood that change is possible and happening.
The plan to revitalize the park is based on a design created by a group of student leaders at Cody.
“Kids shouldn’t be scared to go out and enjoy their community, it is time for a change,” said Alyssia Akers, YOUTH VOICE member. “When people see the park cleaned up, they’ll start to think differently about our community.”
WHO: Cody High School students, YOUTH VOICE, Greening of Detroit
WHAT: Take Back Cody-Rouge
WHERE: Stein Playfield, 18445 Cathedral St, Detroit, MI 48228
WHEN: June 1, 2013 11am-3pm
WHY: To take back the Cody-Rouge community from the negative cultures that have hurt the neighborhoods.
Those interested in volunteering should contact Kayla Mason, YOUTH VOICE Lead Organizer at kayla.mason@tubmanorganizing.org.
YOUTH VOICE: YOUTH VOICE is an organization of Detroit youth who build their own power to create change. Founded in 2009, YOUTH VOICE empowers local youth by organizing them to engage the political process and address community issues they decide are most important: better schools, safer and cleaner neighborhoods, efficient transportation systems, employment and recreational opportunities. YOUTH VOICE is an affiliate of the Harriet Tubman Center.
Harriet Tubman Center: The Harriet Tubman Center develops leaders and organizations that promote strong, thriving communities by bringing people together to create change in Metro Detroit and throughout Michigan. Affiliate organizations include: Metro Coalition of Congregations, Michigan Organizing Collaborative, Michigan Prophetic Voices, Taking Action por Nuestros Niños and YOUTH VOICE. Harriet Tubman Center, and its affiliates, are a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)3 organization, they do not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
For more information visit www.tubmanorganizing.org.
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