Vivian Murphy and Ajani Carter spent more than a combined 30 years teaching children in Detroit Public Schools classrooms. Their professional careers also included other positions where they served the public. But when it was finally time to retire from the workforce, Murphy and Carter still wanted to make a difference in their city, and have found a place to do so at 3130 Puritan on Detroit’s northwest side.

The address is the future home of Detroit’s Little Country Kitchen, which will be a neighborhood community center committed to nourishing the surrounding area—particularly children—in a holistic sense. The center’s coming attractions for the community include cooking classes focusing on healthy meals, a community garden and greenhouse, a small fruit and vegetable stand, etiquette classes, and other activities for youth and senior citizens.

“I never thought about taking a break,” said Murphy, who taught preschool during most of her teaching days, and has owned the building on Puritan (a former daycare center) since the 1970s. “I have always had a desire to work with the little ones to get them motivated, and when I took classes through the Detroit School Garden Collaborative (DSGC) I began to think that I could get the building up and going again and use what I know to impact children.”

It was also through DSGC where Murphy met Carter, a former junior high math teacher and Vietnam Navy Veteran.

“I totally bought into Vivian’s dream,” said Carter, who was a supervisor for the DSGC initiative and lives in Detroit’s University District, just blocks away from the 3130 Puritan site. “I believe we can be a part of Detroit’s renaissance.”

Carter, who fondly recalls the days when Detroit had hundreds of Boy Scout troops and hosted highly anticipated Soap Box Derby races, said the center will use a hands-on approach to reach today’s youth.

“We’re not just going to tell the children what needs to be done, we’re going to let them do it,“ said Carter, who is exploring the possibility of establishing a school at the center for at-risk boys. “More than just planting seeds, the children will learn how to cultivate, which is required in gardening and in life. It won’t be easy, but we’re going to go about everything we do here in a fun way.”

As 2015 winds down, Murphy and Carter can only wish for a mild winter, which will allow inside building renovations to continue steadily. It is their hope that the center will be ready to serve the community by spring 2016. Regardless of what Mother Nature may bring, Murphy and Carter are encouraged in their efforts by the smiles they have received from neighbors who welcome the outside refurbishment of the property, along with questions from neighborhood youth in search of positive outlets in the area.

“It’s really important to talk to parents,” said Murphy, whose résumé also includes 18 years as a supervisor for the City of Detroit’s Employment & Training department. “But we also want to talk to the children themselves to let them know what we’re trying to do here, and that we are here for them.”

To learn more about the happenings at 3130 Puritan, please contact Vivian Murphy at 313-683-0849 or email stoutmurphyvivian@yahoo.com.

  District 2, Education, health, Healthy Cities, Nutrition