Two Days and Many Lessons from Detroit
Two Days and Many Lessons from Detroit
May 16th and 17th I had the opportunity to visit several Detroit communities with a few of the NWSP team members including Kelsey Otero and Dan Bergen of Marquette University both who are involved in NWSP's featured initiative Promoting Assets Reducing Crime (PARC). Of course this 48-hour stay was not enough time to do everything we wanted to, however, we enjoyed a stay downtown, the best chicken and waffles in Detroit and a number of lessons learned that I will out the line below.
During this trip, we had the opportunity to connect with representatives from the University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit City Planning, Detroit Future Cities, Live6 Detroit, Detroit Collaboration Design Center and Impact Detroit. In addition to meeting similar organizations like NWSP, the team had the opportunity to meet with social entrepreneurs with amazing models that both serve the community while creating employment opportunities.
Here are a few of my takeaways from my two days in Detroit:
Lesson #1: From the Mouths of Babes
The Impact Detroit team is comprised of community leaders and stakeholders who act as the on the ground of team of community engagement soldiers not only gathering information but also mobilizing residents in a coordinated effort accomplished quality of life goals outlined in the Detroit Future Cities framework. In one example a resident leader by the name of Sandra presented us was an engagement of a local high school. Edwin C. Deney High School students saw a problem with a Skinner Park and shared this with local community leaders. By giving insight to local community leaders the park has become a major asset for the community at large while students have gotten a well deserved "seat at the table". See the link below for more information.
Link: http://michigandistilled.org/2016/06/15/denby-high-project-hits-milestone-as-skinner-park-takes-shape-in-detroit/
NWSP will be investigating ways to engage our youth in the Near West Side for both schools and recreational facilities. An early example, Neighborhood House played a major in our grocery discussion last year and the feedback the youth gave was positive and forward looking.
Lesson #2: Upwards and Outwards
Communication is key to success and as NWSP grows staff and key stakeholders will play different roles. As Lauren Hood, director of Detroit Live6 stated, "each person has to learn their communication role". In this particular case, Lauren played a valuable role in engaging and creating an outward platform for community engagement, this can be sent here: https://vimeo.com/215593735 .
NWSP must continue to build capacity to support the engagement of residents (outward communication) and other stakeholders like current and potential funders (upward communication). Early success has been these one-on-ones with residents hosted by Darrian Davis, NWSP's community outreach coordinator. Due to these one-on-ones, NWSP has begun to develop unique and innovative programming that is responding to the needs of the community like the "Keep It Clean" signage program.
Lesson #3: " Proud Detroiter "
In the airport you see a shirt that says, "Detroit -VS- Everybody" and it is this saying that encapsulates the rugged toughness I saw in my 48 hours. People like Stephen Sajewski of Giving Hands Soap Co., Alejandra Medina of DYOS Counseling, PLLC and Michelle Smart of Bags To Butterflies all exemplify the true pioneers who have a business while supporting missions that are just as important, if not more than making a profit. Even local Detroit churches like Straight Gate International are involved in the renaissance with a new coffee shop funded by the Motor City Match.
Link: www.givinghandssoap.com
Link: www.dyoscounseling.com
NWSP will continue to support the work of local entrepreneurs in the City of Milwaukee, at least the ones who are interested in coming to the Near West Side. NWSP has a few seats left for it's "Get In Gear" program. For more information, you can email Kelsey Otero of Marquette University's Social Innovation Office, Kelsey.otero@marquette.edu.
NWSP will also continue to support the promotion of our many assets including our housing assets. June 17th one of our seven communities will host its annual home tour. Historic Concordia's Home Tour is a great marketing tool for the Near West Side. For more information visit: http://www.hcni.org/home-tour/
The NWSP team would like to thank John Staudenmaier, Phil Cooke, Lauren Hood, Dan Pitera and Rebecca Willis for being our tour guides, "Uber" drivers, and gracious hosts.
