Luther Keith/Executive Director-ARISE Detroit! said, "You know and I know that there are hundreds of organizations and thousands of people quietly getting things done in the city's neighborhoods, establishing businesses, running programs to help children, planting community gardens and nudging the quality of life in the right direction against incredible odds."

The City's Neighborhoods a part of Detroit's resurgence

Op-Ed by Luther Keith/Executive Director-ARISE Detroit!

DETROIT - A recent news report in one of our local papers did a compelling and uplifting story on Detroit, tying the city's resurgence and improved national image to the success of the Detroit Lions and Tigers, improvements in the auto industry, downtown businesses development and other initiatives.

However, it dismissed the city's neighborhoods as problem plagued, saddled with thousands of abandoned buildings, poor services and residents who have little hope for making things better. While some of this is painfully true, there is more - much more -- to the story.

You know and I know that there are hundreds of organizations and thousands of people quietly getting things done in the city's neighborhoods, establishing businesses, running programs to help children, planting community gardens and nudging the quality of life in the right direction against incredible odds. They are as much a part of establishing a new image for Detroit as any baseball or football team victory - or any downtown business development.

That's why ARISE Detroit! established Neighborhoods Day five years ago, a massive community service day on the first Saturday of every August, showcasing the work of thousands of people who are waging and winning small battles all over the city, even if not readily apparent to those who choose to focus more on our shortcomings.

That's also why we established the ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Rising Summit, which will be held for the second year Saturday, Nov. 5, at the downtown campus of Wayne County Community College District in downtown Detroit. It is an open invitation for residents, block clubs, churches, community organizations - anyone looking to improve their neighborhood. It's a full day of workshops, and tools offered by real experts - the people in the community who are actually getting things done.

You will hear how to form block clubs, develop neighborhood businesses, establish farmer's markets, create positive youth programs, create neighborhood patrol programs, utilize media to promote neighborhood programs and much more. We will also have an update and progress report from Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's administration on the Detroit Works Project, the critically important effort to redefine our city's neighborhoods. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Vendors will be on hand with information and resources. It's all free, courtesy of our major funder, the Kresge Foundation.

But you must register at www.arisedetroit.org to attend. Or simply click on this link. (Also, click here for the official 2011 Neighborhoods Rising Summit press release.)

And thank you for Being Part of The Change!