From working with my community organization, I have learned a lot about Detroit and the communities that have stayed here. My site, Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO), works a lot with unhoused people in the city and many of their programs revolve around housing and health services. I have learned a lot about the hurdles that individuals as well as nonprofits have to jump through to provide care and stay afloat. Chronic homelessness is a topic that NSO addresses by providing housing-first initiatives- not requiring their clients to be sober, employed, or clean of drug use before being qualified to live in their buildings. NSO also addresses the social determinants of health and provides accessible care to all. These strategies prove to be beneficial for their clients and I have learned a great deal about how these initiatives are at play in the city of Detroit and are helping to reduce homelessness. Something else I have learned about Detroit is the amount of amazing work being done in the city with farming, especially by BIPOC communities! Farming helps keep communities afloat by providing fresh produce and helps people stay connected to the land and to each other. I am excited to learn more about urban farming by talking to my DCERP fellows and hopefully visiting more farms in the coming weeks.
The pandemic has impacted NSO greatly and I am able to see how the organization is adjusting as the city is opening back up this summer. Masking has been consistent in NSO with many employees and residents still wearing masks in shared areas, but it is not required now. The organization is transitioning away from virtual contact with its clients and much more to in-person care. Different spaces and rooms in NSO’s buildings are also opening up their clients and hopefully, residents can congregate in areas more and use spaces like the gym, computer room, and art room. All of these have been shut down since the onset of COVID and I’m glad that things are beginning to settle into a “new normal.”
I have been able to talk with some community members these past few weeks and those conversations have been very impactful. NSO’s residents have been very welcoming to me and it has been interesting since I am a new guest in their apartment buildings and halls- places where they call home and spend a lot of their time. I definitely plan on asking for help with getting connected to NSO’s community members more in the future as my project comes along. I will be looking for input from the folks who will be using the community closet because they probably have ideas and needs that they want to bring to the table- things I would never be able to think of myself.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Hey Maggie, I’m glad to hear how NSO pivoted during the pandemic. It is amazing the changes and hard work that was done to ensure organizations stayed afloat during that time. It’s nice to see how those changes are being implemented to create a “new normal.”
Hi Maggie! It’s awesome to hear about the work that you are a part of with NSO. I’m glad you’ve been able to talk with community members and start building relationships. It will definitely be helpful for you to see what insights NSO’s residents have on your project.
Hi Maggie! I really loved that your organization recognizes that clients need housing regardless of their employment status or sobriety. I also agree with your point on farming and how important it is to help the community stay connected. I’m excited to hear more about your process as time goes on!