Bridging the gap between the faith-based community and neighborhood organizations is a primary objective of the three-day “Changing Strategies” summit, said Dennis Talbert, president of the Michigan Neighborhood Partnership, the presenting organization.
Talbert encourages community and faith-based leaders, along with anyone aspiring to launch a non-profit, to participate Oct. 22-24. The summit’s mission is “to build the capacity of faith and community based organizations in key areas that can enhance the lives of Detroit area residents.” Panel discussions and presenters from the business, civic and academic arenas will target:
■ Education;
■ Financial literacy:
■ Social Entrepreneurship; and
■ Green jobs.
“We want to work together around specific issues that will bring together solutions for our community — that’s good for everyone,” said Talbert, whose Detroit-based organization promotes partnerships and collaboration to address community needs.
The summit kicks off at 6 p.m., Thursday (Oct. 22) with a Community Leaders reception at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. On Friday and Saturday (Oct. 23-24) panel discussions will be held at the Wayne State University Community Arts Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required for the reception and programs at Wayne State. Also at 8 p.m. Friday (Oct. 23), in conjunction with the summit, the Michigan Neighborhood Partnership will present “An Evening with Oleta Adams” at the Ford Community Performing Arts Center in Dearborn. Tickets for the benefit concert are $20 and $50. To pre-register for the summit events or to obtain information on purchasing concert tickets, call (313) 361-4530.
During Saturday’s program, the Michigan Neighborhood Partnership will launch “Detroit 50K,” a financial literacy campaign which hopes to touch the lives of 50,000 Detroiters by 2011, through a collaboration of community organizations and businesses, including Comerica Bank. The free financial literacy training will take place in community and faith-based settings and include: budgeting, setting financial goals for the family, understanding credit, debt resolution, the importance of banking, saving and wealth building. Classes for youth (grades 4-12) will run concurrently with adult classes.
For additional information on the Michigan Neighborhood Partnership, please visit www.mnpartnership.org.
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