Building something Great for Detroit

 

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ARISE Detroit!
9th Annual Neighborhoods Day
Saturday, August 1st
Registration Now Open     May 13, 2015
 
WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THIS PICTURE AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR DETROIT?
 


In this photo, Habitat for Humanity of Detroit staff member Roland Porter, left, looks

over house building plans with AmeriCorps member Matthew Eaton.

 

 

Click here to register

 

 

NEIGHBORHOODS DAY UNITES THE CITY, SUBURBS AND PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS


 

By Luther Keith

Executive Director, ARISE Detroit!

 

If you've logged on to the ARISE Detroit! website, or seen our flyers promoting the 9th annual Neighborhood Day, maybe you have been struck by the photos of two men looking over plans that apparently involve constructing a house.

 

One of the men is black. One is white. They are working together for Habitat Humanity of Detroit on an east side home build as part of last year's Neighborhoods Day.

 

In partnership with community groups and future homeowners, Habitat for Humanity  of Detroit has been part of every Neighborhoods Day since it began in 2007 and will be again for the 9th annual city wide event on Saturday, August 1st.


 

With all the racial strife we see today, sometimes we lose sight of the fact that most people work harmoniously together with the common understanding that we really do all need each other to make our world, our city, our neighborhood and our block a better place.

 

That's what I love about the photo taken of Habitat for Humanity's Roland Porter and AmeriCorps member Matthew Eaton, taken Neighborhoods Day last year at a home construction site on the east side.

 

Look at the  photo: One is black, one is white, but both are focused deciphering building plans that will literally help a neighborhood rise. That's what happens on Neighborhoods Day - our city rises.  It truly brings out the best in Detroit, as a city and as a people.  


 I was in Chicago recently for a major conference on improving that city and organizers invited me to share the story about ARISE Detroit! and Neighborhoods Day. They were truly amazed with how our city comes together  on this breathtaking display of community pride with scores of community improvement projects in nearly every zip code involving thousands of volunteers.

 

"How can we do this in Chicago," I was repeatedly asked.

 

Detroit, the world is watching. Let's make the 9th annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day the biggest and best ever.  We need you to register your community group, church, block club or business today. For the $50 registration fee, we will provide custom made banners for your group, t-shirts, project supplies, such as cleanup bags and more.


 

Spread the word and register today!

 

Click here to register

 

 
 

        

 
 

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL NEIGHBORHOODS DAY EVENT

 

 

START EARLY/REGISTER EARLY: The more time you can devote to planning, the better it will be. The registration deadline is July 1, so if you are interested, register on our website, www.arisedetroit.org, or by hard copy as soon as possible!

 

GET YOUR NEIGHBORS INVOLVED/COLLABORATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:  Don't try to do to much by yourself. Contact your neighbors, churches, community organizations that you have relationships with and ask them to be part of your event.

 

BUILD IN SUCCESS: If you are trying to attract a certain number of people, why not get a commitment from a church group, social organization or block club to have on of their events - and send their supporters - to your event. That way you have a guaranteed audience in addition to whomever else you might attract.

 

DO COMMUNITY/MEDIA OUTREACH: If you can, develop flyers and do an email campaign in your neighborhood. Get your information published in local church bulletins. Send press releases about your event to local media. Also send them to ARISE Detroit! so we can help publicize your event.

 

DON'T REINVENT THE WHEEL: If you already have a program or activity that you are already doing each summer or fall, such as feeding the homeless each Saturday, or a back-to-school event just plug that program into Neighborhoods Day.

 

LARGE OR SMALL IS GOOD:  Don't feel compelled to have a huge event if it doesn't fit your budget or resources; Do what works best for you. You can do a neighborhood Lemonade stand if you wish, just something to show you care.

 

NEED HELP WITH VENDORS?  Each group determines its own vendor procedures, but ARISE Detroit! will assist in identifying vendors if you wish. Call us at 313-921-1955 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

HAVE A RAIN PLAN: Neighborhoods Day will be a great event, rain or shine, but if it rains have a backup plan - date or indoor location - for your activity

 

THANKS FOR BEING PART OF THIS GREAT DAY FOR DETROIT!

 

TELL US ABOUT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT SHOULD BE PART OF NEIGHBORHOODS DAY. CALL 313-921-1955, or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 
More photos from Habitat for Humanity of Detroit at last year's Neighborhoods Day: 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
www.arisedetroit.org
ARISE Detroit!
313-921-1955

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