Hey everyone,
It’s hard to believe that this is already my third week in Detroit, though the experience keeps on getting better and better. I have begun to take on bigger projects including a literature review and constructing a database that will house information pertaining to Southeast Michigan’s municipal finance system and various social variables; furthermore, I have also earned the trust of my coworkers and have gotten the chance to assist them with their work. This past week, I wrote a brief for my supervisor that was presented at a meeting with our board of directors, a meeting I was graciously invited to attend. The meeting focused on our upcoming goals and future plans, as we begin our transition into more of a metropolitan policy think-tank. Witnessing the discussion of our organization’s evolution was most interesting, as I never considered the dynamics and intricacies attached to such a feat. It felt awesome to be a part of the meeting and respected as a valuable member of the team! I feel fully integrated into the Michigan Suburbs Alliance (MSA) now, hence going to work is no longer going to work–it’s going to my second home. We’re a happy little family at MSA doing big things for Detroit, and I’m blessed to be a part of it all.
While our organization has produced and will continue to produce positive change for Detroit and its surrounding municipalities, change I have happily experienced and blogged previously about, much work remains to be done. Years of economic hardship and mismanagement has resulted in the charred, abandoned homes that mar what were once pleasant neighborhoods. Though they appear dead and silent, these homes speak to the intense poverty that plagues many of Detroit’s communities and solemnly remind me as to why I am here. After speaking to the nomads of Detroit, those who live on the fringes of society, I am reminded as to why I am here. Sometimes no words need be said, as the eyes are said to be the windows to the soul. This is especially true of the impoverished, mismatched shoe-wearing children I see. Their eyes glimmer with a sort of wary-hope, a sober reminder as to why I am here. While I have learned that Detroit has plenty of highlights, I have only now begun to really take notice of the more sobering lowlights. Constantly reminding me as to why I am here, these lowlights have led to constancy in my drive to succeed, and bring positive change to the ever so bittersweet city of Detroit.
Cheers,
Ryan Tactac
