You know your neighborhood can “be” and “do” better, but getting the necessary resources to support improvement efforts can be challenging even for the most organized block clubs and community organizations in the city.

It’s challenging, but not impossible, says Luther Keith, the executive director of ARISE Detroit! Detroit, a coalition of 400 neighborhood community organizations.

“We ‘get’ the difficulties,” emphasizes Keith. “That’s why we created an event to give Detroit residents the tools to overcome the typical challenges that many grassroots and community organizations face. That’s the motivation around our upcoming Creating Neighborhoods of Opportunity summit at Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD).”

The summit, which will be held Saturday, Nov. 4, will feature discussions on steering development to improve neighborhoods as well as promote inclusive and diverse opportunities for job training and neighborhood entrepreneurship.

“Participants at our summit will be able to access the right tools, contacts and funding sources to get, or keep, things going in their neighborhoods,” adds Keith.

The event gives participants invaluable insights and access to an unprecedented assembly of experts, many of whom either fund programs directly or have influence with the organizations that support neighborhood development efforts, according to Keith.

“With all the talk about the so-called two Detroits, we thought it was important to highlight efforts and opportunities to build equity into Detroit development and job opportunities,” said Keith.

The summit’s purpose is to equip residents with strategies to improve their neighborhoods. The free event, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch, will be held on Saturday Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the downtown campus of WCCCD located at 1001 W. Fort Street, Detroit, 48226.

Registration is requested and slots are still available. Visit www.arisedetroit.org to sign up to attend.

ARISE DETROIT’S NEIGHBORHOODS OF OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT

Nov. 4, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD)

1001 W. Fort Street

Detroit, MI 48226

ABOUT THE CREATING NEIGHBORHOODS OF OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT

Sponsored by the Kresge Foundation, the DTE Energy Foundation and Detroit Future City, the summit includes 12 workshops and more than 50 community leaders offering expertise in neighborhood transformation, including:

–Connecting neighborhood entrepreneurs to funding sources and promoting neighborhood entrepreneurship

–Home buying through the Detroit Land Bank and other programs

–Fighting crime and curtailing blight

–Using community collaborations to procure volunteers and sponsors for community projects

–Finding jobs and overcoming barriers to employment

–Finding funding and strategic planning support for neighborhood projects

–Pathways to create strong community leaders

–Millennial leadership, focusing on what the millennial generation is doing to help neighborhoods

Workshops will be held from 10:45 a.m. to noon, and from 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The summit will also feature community organization exhibitors with information and resources to help neighborhood residents. Register to attend here.

For additional information about ARISE Detroit! visit: arisedetroit.org

  ARISE Detroit, ARISE Detroit’s Neighborhood Summit, Detroit deveopment, Detroit Future City, DTE Energy Foundation, job opportunities in Detroit, Kresge Foundation, Luther Keith, tools and resources for neighborhood development, Wayne County Community College District