Block clubs, churches and community groups are registering for the 16th annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day on Saturday, August 6. It is a day filled with citywide community improvement projects and more than 100 events of all kinds.
Over the past two years, due to the pandemic, ARISE Detroit! promoted its “Stay Safe: Create In Your Space” campaign, with many groups hosting small events in homes, backyards or driveways.
This year, ARISE Detroit! is again emphasizing vaccinations for Neighborhoods Day volunteers or mask wearing and social distancing.
“It’s so amazing to see how much people in Detroit love and care about their neighborhoods, even in the face of the pandemic,” said Luther Keith, ARISE Detroit! executive director. “It is truly a day of neighborhood pride and neighborhood power. People are having fun, but also working to improve their neighborhoods and help their neighbors.”
Traditionally, the massive community service day has more than 100 events, including volunteer projects, art and music festivals, resource fairs, school supply giveaways, and much more.
Since Neighborhoods Day began in 2007, ARISE Detroit! has promoted, marketed and supported a cumulative total of more than 2,700 community improvement events and service projects.
All of this year’s Neighborhoods Day events are posted at www.arisedetroit.org. People looking for volunteer opportunities can contact registered groups listed on the website.
Groups can register for Neighborhoods Day for $50 at www.arisedetroit.org. Registered groups will receive custom made banners with the names of their organizations, t-shirts, cleanup bags for beautification and blight removal projects, volunteer recruitment assistance, marketing support, and other incentives. The registration deadline is July 15. As in past years, groups also can register to host events throughout August and receive Neighborhoods Day incentives.
Examples of possible 2022 Neighborhoods Day activities include:
- Blight removal and beautification of homes and businesses
- Homeowner spruce up and beautification projects, such as painting, mowing lawns, and planting trees, flowers or shrubs
- Giveaways of school supplies and food
- Front porch, front lawn or backyard parties, barbecues, picnics and celebrations of various kinds
- Music concerts and festivals
- Children’s sidewalk games, chalk drawing, or other kids’ activities at their homes
- Resource fairs that distribute information on community programs and services
- Art events featuring local artists displaying their paintings, sculptures and other works in front of homes and businesses
- Serve A Senior: Young people and others providing a service for senior citizens, such as painting a house, sprucing up a garden, delivering food, etc.
Neighborhoods Day by the Numbers
Since the first Neighborhoods Day in 2007, the citywide event has produced through its partner organizations:
• 2,700+ Community Improvement Events
• 70,000+ Volunteers with Partner Organizations
• 1,500+ Blight Removal and Beautification Projects
• 50+ Health Fairs
• 200+ Concerts, Festivals and Art Fairs
• 200+ Back-to-School Events and School Supply Giveaways
• 70+ Adopt-a-School Projects
For more information, visit www.arisedetroit.org.