NORTHWEST
Organization: Demographic Inspirations has acquired several parcels of land in the Dexter-Linwood Cordon community. They create safe, calming and healthy spaces by clearing, cleaning and building raised beds for the planting of flowers and vegetables- including radishes, squash and peppers. The organization won a Detroit Future City grant to design a lot and added picnic tables to create a relaxing gathering space. They hold events, including an Octoberfest with horses and face-painting for the children.
Impact: Some 25 volunteers from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the community helped to clear out the old vegetation, cut grass and built more raised beds, improving the 14-lot Dexter-Linwood Cordon Community Garden. They cleaned out the butterfly meadow and erected signage as required to maintain non-profit status for the garden.
Contact: Ron Matten, 15368 Fairfield Street Email: rmatten1@aol.com Or https://w w.facebook.com/Demographic-Inspirations-Detroit
Organization: University Commons. This nonprofit organization seeks grants and other funds to improve the aesthetics and the economic viability of Livernois Avenue from 6 Mile to 7 Mile. For more than 15 years it has conducted activities that include the popular “Jazz on the Ave.” and other events that provide entertainment and a showcase for jazz artists, youth artists, dance troupes, cheerleaders, artists and street vendors. Grants have funded storefront facades, murals, lights
for streets and alleyways and other improvements. They encourage residents and shoppers to walk the Avenue, connect and foster new connections with merchants and each other.
Impact: University Commons hosted “Jazz on the Ave.” on Neighborhoods Day, presenting music from noon until 9 p.m. at Mike’s Market. It featured jazz artists, youth instrumentalists and the Cass
Tech High School Marching Band. The day’s events, spread out across eight venue spaces and retail establishments, included art classes, flower arranging and exposure to other hands-on artistic expression. There was a trolley car and a wine tasting for adults. More than 5,000 hot dogs were served to those who attended the festival-like event.
Contact: Lolita Haley 19966 Livernois; 313 492.8062 or lolitahaley@gmail.com
DEXTER-DAVISON
Organization: Detroit Horse Power, a nonprofit group, founded by a former teacher to teach urban youth to ride and care for horses as a way to develop critical skills that will set them up for future success.
Impact: Presented a horse festival called “Saddle Up Detroit” at Salsinger Playfield on Linwood, on the city’s west side. Provided opportunities for children to see, pet and ride horses in Detroit. “This is an amazing experience for kids because they don’t see horses in the city, but today they can ride, pet and see horses. I didn’t grow up around horses. Growing up I could not even imagine seeing a horse in the city. This experience with Horse Power is great for me. I want every kid to have this experience,” said Hakim Weatherspoon.
Contact: David Silver, executive director, 313-899-0075 or www.detroithorsepower.org
Organization: Union Grace Church, a metro Detroit church that makes community service part of its mission.
Impact: The Mission Ministry, under the leadership of Tara Via, cleaned the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Park located at the corner of Rosa Parks and W. Grand Blvd. Members also prayed for and with the residents in the area and many joined in to help clean up. The church, pastored by Bishop
Reginald E. Smith also provided resource materials on health, housing, provided food and clothing, along with Bibles. The ministry reaches out to the community weekly at the park on
Saturdays during the summer.
Contact: Shirley Corder, Union Grace Church, 30623 W. 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI.
313-300-5372 or www.uniongracechurch.org
NORTH END IMPACT
Organization: 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit is a group of concerned African American men whose goal is to improve the quality of life in the African American community.
Impact: In partnership with the Historic People’s Community Baptist Church and Blue Cross/ Blue
Shield of Michigan, they provided health services, education, screenings, fitness, nutrition training classes and good healthy food. They also offered a CPR class, a Zumba class, vendors with lots of information. Volunteers from Henry Ford Health Systems assisted.
Contact: Mark Elzy, executive director, 8601 Woodward Ave, 313-874-4811
SOUTHWEST
Organization: Chadsey-Condon Community Organization, founded in 2006 to revitalize the area
bounded by Wyoming Avenue, West Warren, John Kronk and the Jeffries Freeway by engaging
residents.
Impact: Cleared a vacant lot and alley where trash and debris had piled up near Michigan Avenue and Livernois on the city’s southwest side. They collected 30 bags of weeds and trash. Global Team
Blue, who handles some advertising for the Ford Motor Co., came out to help pack 400 book bags
with supplies that were given away as part of the event and to clean the alley and vacant lot.
Contact Info: Amanda Holiday, executive director, 6446 Michigan Avenue, Detroit; 313- 974-7162
Organization: Starfish Family Services: Establishing sites that will serve as Head Start and Early
Head Start programs.
Impact: Volunteers planted flowers and vegetables in community garden. Cleaned up playground and landscaped. Contact info: Kailey Vowles,: 2237 South Fort Street; 734-713-9219
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