Detroiters can now apply for Neighborhood Beautification Fund grants to further improve their corner of the city

• Block clubs, neighborhood associations and nonprofits can apply for their share of $2.25M in grants, ranging from $500 to $15,000.

• Grants can be used for neighborhood clean-ups, community gardens, public space activities.

• Informational sessions are available to help groups come up with successful applications.

Mayor Mike Duggan, Council President Mary Sheffield and Councilmember Scott Benson joined City and community leaders this week to share how Detroiters can apply for Neighborhood Beautification Program (NBP) grants ranging from $500 to $15,000 to help improve their communities.

The NBP grants provide funding for Detroit-based neighborhood associations, block clubs, faith-based organizations and nonprofits that currently own the property where they want to carry out a project in the community. The Neighborhood Beautification Program was created to support three types of projects:

• Clean-up activities
• Community gardens
• Public spaces/activities

The Neighborhood Beautification Program is overseen by the City of Detroit’s Housing & Revitalization Department and administered by the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency (Wayne Metro). Organizations can apply at waynemetro.org/neighborhood-beautification-grant. Wayne Metro also will be conducting virtual informational sessions from noon to 1 p.m. June 23 and 6 to 7 p.m. June 30. Detroiters can register at the link above.

The City’s Department of Neighborhoods has also been sharing information about the program during its regular DONcast meetings with communities in each council district to prepare block clubs and neighborhood associations on how to apply for the grants.

For more information on applying, residents can e-mail Wayne Metro at NBG@waynemetro.org or call (313) 388-9799. Read the full story on the city webpage at Neighborhood Beautification Fund (detroitmi.gov)

City of Detroit Opens Cooling Centers to Provide Relief from Extreme Heat

• Seven recreation centers to provide air-conditioned comfort, and protection from extreme temperatures

• Seven Detroit Public Library branches also open to provide relief from heat

• Safety protocols will be in place to protect against COVID-19

With extremely high temperatures in the forecast, the City of Detroit is offering residents relief by expanding the use of seven recreation centers to serve as cooling centers for residents effective immediately until such time as the current heat advisory is lifted.

Residents and staff are required to wear a face mask and observe social distancing. Staff will also conduct temperature checks. High-touch areas and restrooms will be disinfected every two hours, and maximum capacity limits at each site have been lowered. PPE and bottled water will also be provided.

The following centers are open to provide residents relief from the heat:

• Adams Butzel Complex, 10500 Lyndon (M-F, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 E. Outer Drive (M-F, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; not open Saturdays)
• Lasky Recreation Center, 13200 Fenelon (M-F, 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.; not open Saturdays)
• Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere (M-F, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort (M-F, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Crowell Recreation Center, 16630 Lahser (M-F, 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.; not open Saturdays)
• Heilmann Recreation Center, 19601 Crusade (M-F, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

The Detroit Public Library has seven branch locations to offer relief from extreme temperatures.  All branches are open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday. Capacity is limited to 50 precent and visitors are limited to two hours to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Main Library, 5201 Woodward Avenue
• Campbell Branch, 8733 W. Vernor Hwy.
• Edison Branch, 18400 Joy Road
• Jefferson Branch, 12350 E. Outer Dr.
• Parkman Branch, 1766 Oakman Blvd.
• Redford Branch, 21200 W. Grand River Avenue
• Wilder Branch, 7140 E. Seven Mile Road

The Detroit Health Department recommends the following to stay safe during times of extremely high temperatures: drink more water, limit outside activities during the hours 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., be on the lookout for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke such as nausea, confusion, rapid or slowed heart rate.

For more information, visit the City webpage at City of Detroit Cooling Centers (detroitmi.gov)

Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department Partners with Metro-Detroit Black Business Alliance to Bring Detroiters Together for Juneteenth Freedom Weekend June 17-19

The City of Detroit Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity (CRIO) Department partnered with the Metro-Detroit Black Business Alliance to host the Juneteenth Freedom Fest with extended partnerships with the Detroit Branch NAACP, Juneteenth Jubilee, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the Eastern Market Development Corporation on Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19, 2022.

Juneteenth commemorates the day of liberation for African Americans in our country. The event will feature Rhythm & Art Block Party, a variety of food trucks, several musical entertainers and poets; family-friendly activities, and both a Kids Zone and a Grown Zone. This event is free to the public.

The weekend culminates on Sunday, June 19 at Eastern Market’s Shed 5 from noon to 6 p.m. Expected City Officials include Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and Detroit Police Department Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director, Mary Engelman. CRIO sponsored a student poetry contest and will award the winning prize to 17-year-old Alexis Givens of East English Village Preparatory Academy who submitted the winning poem, “My Black Is…,” Alexis will recite her poem on the Main Stage on Sunday, June 19 during the opening ceremonies.

For more information, read the full story on the city webpage at CRIO Juneteenth Freedom Weekend (detroitmi.gov)

As COVID lockdown rental assistance ends, City announces 3-part Immediate Intervention Plan for those facing eviction

• Detroit renters facing eviction who need a lawyer can get one provided by City.

• City’s rapid job placement service is available to those who need a job or more income.

• City partners helping to place residents in emergency shelters and connect to housing services.

• State will stop accepting new applications for CERA rent and utility assistance on June 30, however, aid will continue to go out to those approved until Sept. 30 or funding runs out.

With news that the State is winding down the federal COVID lockdown rental assistance program, Mayor Mike Duggan today laid out a three-part Immediate Intervention Plan to help those who may still face eviction.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program was a short-term plan to get through the COVID lockdown. With most Michiganders having gone back to work, the federal funds are ending and the State will stop accepting new applications for COVID rental aid June 30.

The 3-point Immediate Intervention Plan

Legal assistance: Detroiters still facing eviction after CERA aid is no longer available will have paid attorneys at all district court eviction proceedings at no cost to the resident. The City urges Detroiters to show up for all virtual court dates, regardless of whether they have applied for or received rental aid, in order to avoid a default judgment from being issued against them.

Attorneys and legal assistants are available to give legal advice or provide legal representation. Landlord-tenant dockets are staffed by four attorneys and two legal assistants. All residents can speak to an attorney and receive legal advice. Legal representation is provided based on household circumstances.

Immediate job placement: For Detroiters still struggling to pay rent after the CERA aid ends, the City is ready to help them find immediate employment. There are currently more than 12,000 vacant jobs in the city. For Detroiters either currently unemployed or looking for better or additional income, the City’s Rapid Jobs program connects residents to jobs that are immediately available. Detroiters can go to DetroitEvictionHelp.com or call (313) 962-WORK (9675) to be matched with these job opportunities.

Emergency shelter assistance: The Coordinated Assistance Model (CAM Detroit) provides those experiencing homelessness with access to shelter and housing resources. Each household that is placed in a shelter will be connected with a specialist to assess their needs and help them get the support and housing they need. CAM prioritizes the most vulnerable households and allocates housing resources as they become available.

For more information, read the full story on the city webpage at COVID 3-part Immediate Intervention Plan (detroitmi.gov)

Motor City Match winning hair salon Textures By Nefertiti opens on Woodward

Nefertiti Harris, owner of the new Textures By Nefertiti hair salon, spoke at the opening of her location this week.

Mayor Mike Duggan and city leaders this week celebrated the grand opening of a Motor City Match winner, Textures By Nefertiti, a hair salon specializing in caring for the health of naturally curly, kinky hair. COVID has delayed the celebration, but after two years, the salon and its owner, Nefertiti Harris, finally got to celebrate.

A Motor City Match (MCM) Round 13 Cash and Design awardee, Textures By Nefertiti received a $70,000 cash grant. The salon is a black-owned and woman-owned business, offering services specializing in the health of naturally curly, kinky hair for everyone.

After 19 rounds, Motor City Match has distributed $9.1 million in grants for start-ups and new businesses located throughout the city of Detroit.

New Detroit training center opens for carpenters, millwrights

Mayor Mike Duggan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and local leaders marked the opening of Detroit’s new Union Carpenters And Millwrights Skilled Training Center this week.

The $30 million building is 147,000 square feet and is located off of I-96, and aims to train trade workers with the necessary skills to be a carpenter or millwright.

The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters states that the program offered at the new establishment is a four-year degree but tuition-free since apprentices work through their training.

The center will train up to 1,500 students annually at no cost to Michigan taxpayers

City of Detroit Office of Arts, Culture, and Entrepreneurship Detroit Ace Partners with Motor City Sings on Community Songwriting Project

Detroit ACE is partnering on a new community initiative called Boa Me: A Community Songwriting Project.

The project is a five-month community project produced by Detroit native and culture creator Ben Will and Motor City Sings, a nonprofit organization that uses music to remove the stigma from conversations about mental health and suicide prevention within Detroit’s African American communities.

The launch concert on July 1 is the first in-person event for Motor City Sings in nearly two years. The concert will feature acoustic musical performances by several Motor City Singers’ Space favorite artists and special guests.

Motor City Sings is currently searching for Detroit-based singer/songwriters, lyricists, and music producers who identify as Black/African American to join our summer artists collective for Boa Me: A Community Songwriting Project. Each artist collective will work with a research team to learn how Black Detroiters have navigated the last two years of the global pandemic. After observing community discussions, each collective will then work together to compose new original music inspired by the research findings.

All roles will be compensated. The application closes on June 17. For more information, read the full story on the City webpage at Motor City Sings Songwriting Project (detroitmi.gov)

Detroiters can get Google certificates through free program

Detroit at Work is teaming up with Google to offer free access to Google Certificates in various IT fields.

Detroit residents can now pick from six different courses and attain various Google Certificates to increase their skills and pursue a career in Information Technology.

For course listings, eligibility requirements, and info on how to take part, call (313) 962-9675, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit detroitatwork.com/google

Motor City Makeover moves to District 7

District 7 residents will come together to clean up and beautify neighborhoods as Motor City Makeover continues this Saturday, June 18. The City’s annual cleanup and beautification effort takes place on seven Saturdays in May and June.

Individuals and community groups must register with the City of Detroit Department of Neighborhoods (DON) in order to receive a limited supply of bags and gloves, as well as information regarding special pickups of brush, tires, bagged litter and roll-off containers. Debris will only be collected from pre-determined locations.             

• District 7 – June 18