DETROIT RESIDENTS TO GET DETROIT WORKS PROJECT UPDATE ON MAYOR'S EFFORT TO REVIVE CITY NEIGHBORHOODS; EVENT ALSO WILL OFFER WORKSHOPS AND STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITIES

DETROIT, Nov. 4, 2011  /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Members of Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's planning team will update citizens on the progress and possibilities of the Detroit Works Project as part of the second annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Rising Summit on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the downtown campus of Wayne County Community College District.

The Detroit Works Project, the product of months of discussions and community meetings, is the centerpiece of the mayor's effort to redefine city neighborhoods.  Earlier this year, the administration targeted three areas of Detroit as pilot neighborhoods for the project, aimed at reducing blight and improving the city's quality of life.

The summit will also feature 10 workshops offering information and strategies to help residents improve their neighborhoods in areas ranging from fighting crime and forming block clubs, to developing youth programs and establishing community gardens. Community leaders working on the front lines of change in Detroit will share success stories and offer advice to participants.

Panelists will include:

• Scott Alan Davis, director of Vanguard CDC, which is developing new housing in Detroit.
• Joshua Elling of the Jefferson East Business Association, which has revitalized an east side area of Detroit with numerous business collaborations.
• Shirley Burch of Community United for Progress, who has forged a strong community/business relationship with the Belmont Shopping Center in northeast Detroit.
• Nat Van Noord of the Greening of Detroit, which has helped beautify neighborhoods by planting thousands of trees.
• Tim Addy Jr. of Handyman Ministries, who has donated hundreds of volunteer hours to maintain and renovate homes in Detroit. He will lead a workshop on home repairs and home maintenance.
• Horace Mitchell, an instructor with the Hollywood Golf Institute, a youth golf program which has secured college golf scholarship for more than 150 youngsters.
• Dalton Roberson Jr. of Community Legal Resources, who heads the Vacant Property Campaign to reduce blighted housing in Detroit.
• WCHB radio personality Angelo Henderson and Raphael Johnson, leaders of  the Detroit 300 citizen patrol program, which has led to the arrest of a number of crime suspects.
• Eugene Jones of the Detroit House Commission, who will discuss changes and improvements in the city's public housing complexes.
• Gail Carr of Urban Farming, which has planted scores of community gardens in Detroit and other cities around the nation.

Wayne County Deputy Treasurer David Szymanski will share information for homeowners dealing with foreclosure and delinquent property tax issues.

Sponsored by the Kresge Foundation,  the Summit will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the  downtown campus  of WCCCD  located at 1001 W. Fort Street, 48226.

In addition, there will be community organization exhibitors and vendors with information and resources to help neighborhood residents..

"We have had a record number of people sign up for the summit, which is an indication how hungry people in Detroit are to find information and resources to improve our city," said Luther Keith, executive director of ARISE Detroit! "The summit will offer participants valuable skills, tips, resources and networking opportunities to make their neighborhoods stronger and healthier."

The event is free and open to the public. It will include a continental breakfast and lunch.

However, all participants are urged to register at www.arisedetroit.org to secure a spot in the workshops. They can also phone 313-921-1955.

Funded by the Kresge and Skillman foundations, ARISE Detroit! is a coalition more than 400 community organizations promoting volunteerism, community activism and positive media images to create a better Detroit.

SOURCE ARISE Detroit!

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.arisedetroit.org