Fixers. The city of Detroit is loaded with them. Ask any city resident to tell you about a person or group that’s changing their neighborhood and you’ll quickly discover that there is a lot more activity going on than makes the headlines.
Without much fanfare and, oft times, less than adequate support, these change agents achieve great things that collectively are helping to transform Detroit.
On Tuesday, October 24, the Masco Corporation will join Detroit LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) and Michigan Community Resources (MCR), to honor those unsung heroes at the annual Detroit Community Development Awards.
The Community Awards recognize laudable individuals and organizations and also gives participants an opportunity to benchmark their efforts against others, meet like-minded groups, find funders and foster future collaborations capable of leap-frogging above barriers.
The nine awards span such categories as Excellence in Real Estate Development, CDC/Nonprofit Developer of the Year, Champion for Financial Empowerment, and in particular the People’s Choice Awards.
The latter is a monetary award given to one organization from each of the seven City Council districts that is doing exceptional work in Detroit. Finalists are selected by popular vote during a period of open online voting.
The upcoming event—in its 14th year—is held in the Grand Riverview Ballroom at Cobo Hall.
Detroit LISC Executive Director Tahirih Ziegler says the awards not only highlight individuals doing great work, they provide a pathway to real resources and training for them as well.
The call for nominations for the 2017 People’s Choice event closes Friday, September 15, 2017. Organizations can be self-nominated, with eligibility based on the group’s 501(C)(3) status and the level of their work in a city neighborhood.
Winning organizations will receive $1,000 to further their efforts.
The Detroit Community Development Awards takes place Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at Cobo Hall. A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. with programming to start at 6:00 p.m. For more information or to nominate an organization for the People’s Choice Award click here.
2016 People’s Choice Awardees Included:
District 1 / Lupus Detroit
District 2 / Word Restoration Ministries
District 3 / Osborn Neighborhood Alliance
District 4 / MorningSide
District 5 / 360 Detroit
District 6 / United Community Housing Coalition
District 7 / In Memory of Community Garden
Lead image: Susan Newall and friend check out an abandoned house. Courtesy of Jim West
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