Posts Tagged 'Detroit'

[Thanks to Roy Jones and Joshua Elling for the information!]

Representative Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (3-Detroit) joined the Jefferson East Business Association (JEBA) for their Annual Spring Clean on June 4, 2011. The representative and her executive assistant, Roy Jones (who also volunteered with Detroit Habitat this summer), helped the JEBA staff and community volunteers clear four major area dump sites, collect trash, dispose of over 700 used tires, and conduct maintenance of the neighborhood Community Art Lot.

In addition to  working at the cleanup, Rep. Talabi also returned a month later on July 2, 2011 for the 8th Annual Jazzin’ on Jefferson street festival. She graced the stage to speak encouraging words about Detroit’s future, then introduced one of the jazz acts. Says JEBA Executive Director Joshua R. Elling, “It was an honor and a privilege to work with the Honorable Alberta Tinsley-Talabi this past summer and JEBA looks forward to continuing that relationship.”

[This story is adapted from Detroit WXYZ's article, which you can read here.]

On July 30, Rep. Lisa Howze (2-Detroit) donned more comfortable clothing and spent several hours with Habitat for Humanity Detroit helping with their 25th Anniversary Blitz Build. Rep. Howze is one of the four legislative advisors for Legislators Building Communities.

The Blitz Build kicked off on Monday, July 25th, and has a short-term goal of building four homes in four weeks. The long-term goal is to build or rehabilitate at least 500 homes in the next five years. That is significant considering Habitat Detroit has built or rehabilitated more than 300 homes in the last 25 years.

“We’ve served more than 1,000 children…who might otherwise be in lead-contaminated homes,” said Vincent Tilford, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Detroit.

“We build and rehab homes with extremely high construction standards to ensure that these homeowners have a safe, energy efficient home that will result in low maintenance costs throughout the years of ownership,” added Tilford.

Habitat for Humanity Detroit is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian-based, housing ministry that provides low-income, working families the opportunity to purchase modest, affordable housing in which to raise their families.

State Representative David E. Nathan (11-Detroit) partnered with YouthVille Detroit to host the District 11 Fullerton Street Community Cleanup last month, to help protect natural resources and keep District 11 families and neighborhoods safe. Many volunteers joined the representative, his staff and members of YouthVille Detroit at the event, which was originally scheduled to take place in April but was postponed due to inclement weather.

“I am very proud to partner with YouthVille Detroit once again for this event,” Nathan said. “I’m also proud of the outpouring of support we’ve seen from our community volunteers and the businesses that are supporting them with the supplies and other resources we need to clean up part of our city. It’s unfortunate that we had to cancel last month’s event, but no amount of bad weather can dampen our spirit and dedication for revitalizing Detroit and supporting our neighbors.”

The rescheduled cleanup took place on Saturday, May 14 at the Fullerton and Hubbell Street areas, between Hubbell and Schaefer. Rep Nathan was part of a team that cleaned the grounds of an abandoned apartment building, making the property both safer and more attractive. Check out the during and after photos below – this crew worked hard!

The time has finally arrived! The first two projects under Legislators Building Communities will take place this Saturday, May 14.

LBC Co-Coordinator Katie Fritz

Representative David Nathan (11-Detroit) and his hardworking staff have partnered with YouthVille Detroit to host a neighborhood cleanup in the Fullterton and Hubbell Street area in Detroit. Local businesses, organizations and residents are providing resources, supplies, equipment and refreshments for the volunteers. This is one of many activities Rep. Nathan’s office organizes to make the district a friendlier, healthier and safer place to live.

In Lansing, the Old Town Commercial Association is cleaning, greening, and generally preening the Old Town neighborhood to get ready for summer. Representative Joan Bauer (68-Lansing) will join volunteers in picking up trash, sweeping sidewalks, planting flowers, placing hanging baskets and doing other general maintenance work. Old Town Main Street is one of 10 national semifinalists for the 2011 Great American Main Street awards.

If you are in Detroit or Lansing this Saturday, look for the “LBC project site” sign at these cleanups and applaud these nonprofits and legislators for their efforts in building better communities.