Institutional Engagement
“As part of my course in community organizing (PS 389), a team of 4 U-M undergrads engaged in a semester of organizing work in Brightmoor over the winter 2009 semester. They began their work in partnership with NDND (Northwest Detroit Neighborhood Development), with the objective of helping restart a neighborhood association in a Brightmoor neighborhood just east of Lahser. The students held a number of meetings with neighborhood residents, but the general conclusion was that residents were unenthusiastic about the idea -- mostly, because it was not an idea that arose out of their own interests. Toward the end of the semester, the students met with local pastors and leaders and assisted with some organizing for Brightmoor Alliance but were unable to proceed very far as the semester drew to a close and the students were all graduating. I anticipate continuing in the fall semester what the students began, working with a new team of U-M students and more closely with Brightmoor Alliance (and the U-M student org Detroit Partnership) in the fall.”
Professor- Department of Political Science
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“During the 2008-2009 school year, a total of 12 Project Community students (including the peer facilitator) served at Harding and Vetal Schools in Brightmoor, doing in-classroom tutoring and support.”
Director- Project Community: Sociology 389 and 325
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“The University of Michigan School of Social Work Technical Assistance Center has been providing support for the Safe Routes to School program in the Brightmoor neighborhood. Three elementary/middle schools were chosen to receive federal and state money meant to encourage students to walk or bike to school. Frank Murphy Elementary/Middle School, Peter Vetal School and Burt Elementary were granted money from November 2009- November 2010. This money is used to implement pedestrian training workshops for students, parents and staff and improve infrastructure around schools. A University of Michigan Technical Assistance Center intern has worked closely with each school’s Safe Routes to School coordinator in implementation of the program. In addition, the Technical Assistance Center helped evaluate the implementation process of the program and measure its outcomes.
This summer the University of Michigan Technical Assistance Center will be working with ten youth from Brightmoor. The youth are employed by the City of Detroit’s Summer Employment Program. A University of Michigan Technical Assistance Center intern and the employed youth will be assessing the support systems for children and youth in Brightmoor. Assessment will be done through neighborhood surveys and focus groups with residents. This assessment will help stakeholders and residents gain a better understanding of community perception of services and supports in Brightmoor. This summer’s work will help strengthen Brightmoor’s system of supports and opportunities and play a vital role in the development of children who are safe, healthy, educated and prepared for adulthood.
City Connect has received the federal contract to provide summer youth employment services to 7000 youth in the city, including youth in the Brightmoor community. As a member of the Detroit Youth Employment Consortium initiated by the Skillman Foundation, the UM Technical Assistance Center will be evaluating the results of the employment program in order to identify key elements of successful youth employment experiences. Information gathered will be shared with the consortium and used to improve the quality of employment and worksite experiences in the future so participating youth can become more likely to attain their educational and career goals.”
Assistant Professor- School of Social Work
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“I was able to lead a class, UP 656, in a close examination of the economic development prospects for two commercial strips in the Brightmoor neighborhood. NDND (Northwest Detroit Neighborhood Development) directed and seemed very appreciative of the products of this student research, and we had quite a few community partners attending my class presentations. I received six reports from the students in December 2008, duly shared with the Brightmoor Alliance and NDND.”
-June Thomas
Professor of Urban Planning- A Alfred Taubman, College of Architecture and Urban Planning
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“DP celebrated its tenth annual Detroit PartnershipDay on March 28th, 2009 with an estimated 1200
student and community volunteers at 27 different sites, 20 of which were in Brightmoor. Site projects included demolition of abandoned homes, tree planting, cleaning up parks and schools, and painting murals. The keynote address at the DP Day Rally was given by then-Detroit mayor Ken Cockrel at Stoepel Park in Brightmoor.
Previously, on December 6th, 2008, DP co-sponsored its annual One Stop Shop Food and Clothing Drive at the West Outer Drive United Methodist Church. This event, which provided an estimated $52,000 of food and clothing to Brightmoor residents, is also noteworthy for its integration of community and University volunteers into single team serving the city. The joint leadership of United Methodist Church members and the Detroit Partnership planning team maintained a community-focused approach that has allowed the event to expand from its grassroots beginnings to its current success.”
- Neil Thanedar
Executive Director- The Detroit Partnership