August 2015

Hello again Ashley, Well, the ten weeks are up. Despite having to switch placements, the occasional difficulty that comes with living with five other girls and of having only two bathrooms and some personal struggles and barriers, I am happy that I joined this program and that I have lived in Detroit for the past […]

Looking back on my first blog post I see much of my personality exude through the various worries that I initially had. This summer I really made an effort to step out of my comfort zone and consequently developed skills that will serve me greatly in the years to come. To start off I want

Hey Demario! I know you are surprised at how fast the time has really flew by! You’ve already finished your last day of work and tomorrow you’re going to share with people, all of the great work you have been able to be a part of this summer. I don’t think you could have imagined

Dear Drew, It’s me/you again. You there, kiddo? Well, this is the end. You’re probably sitting in your room, getting ready for the exhibition, and packing now. Looking back on that first letter, I can say that you haven’t done everything you said that you were going to do, but you made improvements as a

As I reflect back on myself from 10 weeks ago, I am truly happy with my growth. Being a native of Detroit, I have always been very passionate about my city. That passion has grown immensely over the course of the this program. I have learned so much about the issues and current state of

Most of what I had heard about Detroit was that it was a dangerous city. Now that I have been here for 10 weeks, I feel comfortable saying: Yes, it is. It is also a struggling city, a fighting city, a city with a history of loss and corruption. Despite and because of all its

Well, reading over my initial letter to myself, I think that I have fulfilled most of what I wanted to accomplish this summer. I explored the city and its boroughs, made an impact in my organization, kept an open mind, and learned more about the socio-economic history of Detroit than I ever thought possible. Still,

It’s so hard to believe that the program is over already! It truly seems like just yesterday that I was moving my junk into the apartments and getting lost on the way to my placement. This has been a summer full of new experiences for me– in May, I was thrown in to managing a greenhouse I

I have had such an amazing experience during the DCBRP! These ten weeks have gone by so fast, which has just become another reminder that school is quickly approaching. I could not have asked to be assigned to a better placement, Metro Matters was the best! From the project itself, to the staff, everything was

As I look back to 10 weeks ago, everything has change, my view on Detroit, my awareness in regards to community development, my insight, etc. I could go on and on about how this program was taught me so much. I came in this program with the mindset that I knew a lot, but I