by Steve Palackdharry Elfido and Kim Castillo are a young couple with deep roots in southwest Detroit. “We’ve lived here our whole lives, and this is where we want to stay,” Elfido says. “We believe the area is getting better, and we want to be part of helping it improve.” Elfido grew up in the […]
Commentary by Bill Johnson Detroit’s campaign to bring the nearly 40,000 rental properties into compliance with the city housing code by 2020 defies logic. These codes were intended to prevent neighborhood deterioration. This blitz, however, will accelerate abandonment and decimate both low-income and middle-class communities. Rental property owners will have six months to register their […]
by Steve Palackdharry Though he cannot afford a car of his own as he rebuilds his life, Burney Cochran works as a delivery driver. Every weekday he takes the long bus rides between his apartment in southwest Detroit and Wolverine Solutions Group on the east side. Working for Wolverine, Burney drives about 90 miles on […]
If cupid doesn’t shoot the arrow of love your way and you find yourself without that special someone this Valentine’s Day, here’s your opportunity to be creative. Try something different. I want you to be your OWN Valentine! Shower yourself with love. Stop criticizing yourself. Praise yourself instead: “I am a work of art” Give yourself […]
For anyone who thinks Detroit’s young people don’t care, don’t understand real challenges, don’t appreciate the guidance of a caring grownup, aren’t filled with amazing wisdom, or don’t want to work and contribute – think again. As far as Building the Engine of Community Development in Detroit (BECDD) is concerned our young people deeply care […]
By Stacy Swimp Although Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech stands among his most recognized messages, he also advocated the importance of doing right by and for ourselves and others. His words remind us that there can be no permanent boundaries around us unless we place them around ourselves. King challenged […]
by David Lingholm When Hurricane Maria took aim at Puerto Rico, Ana Medina started thinking about what it would take to restore power on the island. Some of that thinking was due to her background as a manager for DTE Energy’s Distribution Operations team. Some of that thinking came from a concern for the island […]
These insights, from Rip Rapson, CEO and president of the Kresge Foundation, accompanied the 2017 Detroit Reinvestment Index, a dataset that focuses on perceptions around Detroit’s economic recovery. Last year’s index was the second such annual survey commissioned and released by The Kresge Foundation. A third annual survey will be conducted and released in 2018. […]
by Kresge Foundation Staff Detroit pediatrician, Dr. Nakia Williams, discusses the importance of treating the whole child and not just the illness. Internalized stress can exacerbate certain health conditions, like asthma (a prevalent condition in Detroit), and lead to behavioral issues. One problem can quickly become many. Williams shares those observations as a member of […]
Native Americans have rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and have made important contributions to our nation. Every November we celebrate those during Native American Heritage Month. This year about 40 Southwest Solutions’ staff and several community residents commemorated the event with a potluck and presentations by two local members of Native American tribes. […]