So, we meet again! This week was my first OFFICIAL week of the fellowship. I have been fortunately placed with the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) for the duration of the summer. The urban planning firm works to create a vibrant and lively downtown atmosphere. The organization’s goal is to advance Detroit by driving engagement, development […]
Week Two Blog: Community Placement [Downtown Detroit Partnership] Read More »
I’ve gone into a little detail on who I’m working with and what I’m doing with them in last week’s blog, but I’m going to go into a little more detail today. I am working with Authority Health, a public health organization in Detroit. They have a mission to improve population health and access to
Moving On Forward- Week 2 Read More »
I am partnered with Soulardarity. The name says it all. They are about solar energy, community and solidarity. Their mission is to create and foster energy democracy in Highland Park. They were created after the repossession of over 1,000 streetlights by DTE. Soulardarity hopes to lower energy costs for the residents of Highland Park and
Soulardarity (It is all in the name!) Read More »
This summer I have been placed with ProsperUS. This company works toward entrepreneurial development for low-income and minority individuals in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. There are three main programs under ProsperUS, the entrepreneurial training program or ETP, the technical assistance program, and the micro-lending program. The ETP is a 12-week long course for entrepreneurs
A Day In The Life at ProsperUS – Week 2 Read More »
My community placement is HOPE Village Revitalization, a community-led, community-driven non-profit organization focused on creating a sustainable, equitable, and healthy neighborhood with a high quality of life for all. They are a relatively new organization, as they broke off from Focus: HOPE last year in order to become more community-centered. Their mission is to move
Week 2: HOPE Village Revitalization Read More »
Over the last two weeks, I’ve had the privilege of working with Brilliant Detroit. Brilliant Detroit is a non-profit centered on building kid success through a very family and neighborhood based approach. It serves predominantly children aged 0-8 and their families and has sites in 8 different Detroit neighborhoods. Its programs include different tutoring opportunities,
On Brilliant Detroit Read More »
Saida, Your first day (and almost week) of work went by already and now things are going to start racing against time as you find yourself at work, interacting with your cohort, and navigating the world outside your laptop while on your laptop. Three strong years at the University of Michigan have slipped right out
Blog 1 – Community Read More »
Dear Diana, Your sense of community has changed a lot over the last few months. Whereas the very tangible nature of community and nearness of community was the overarching theme, you’ve found that this is no longer what binds you to others; connections are a lot less physical, more so in the actions and efforts
Dear Torisa, It has been an insane week to start working at FoodLab, but your excitement has not wavered regardless. If anything, it makes you even more anxious to begin working closely with a Detroit community that aims to afford more power to black people and specifically black owned businesses. In working with FoodLab, you
The Meaning of Community Read More »
Community means having the ability to meet different types of people from everywhere and being able to depend on them. It means having a circle of people who are looking out for me and have my best interests at heart. What attracted me to community work in Detroit is having the ability to learn about
What Community Means to Me? Read More »
