A 501(c)(3) charity founded in 2006, SAY Detroit provides pathways to success for Detroiters in need. This is achieved by direct efforts and with civic and community partners, through programs such as an after-school motivational learning center for youth, 8-18; a free family medical clinic; a housing program for working families; and other learning, health care and housing initiatives for Detroit’s most vulnerable populations. It also supports local partner charities with funds raised at a live annual Radiothon held in December on WJR (760 AM).
In 2026, we celebrate two decades of success serving more than 4,000 people each year with learning, health care, and housing programs for Detroiters in need.
MEET THE TEAM
SAY Detroit began with a sentence.
Mitch Albom was spending the night in a homeless shelter for a series of columns during the 2006 Super Bowl. The column pointed out that the city was providing a three-day “Super Bowl party” for its homeless while tourists were in town, only to return them to their former circumstances come Monday morning.
While standing in line for a meal, a man in front of him turned and asked, “Aren’t you Mitch Albom?” He said he was. The man looked him over and asked, “So what happened to you?”
Life can change in an instant — no one expects to find themselves in need. Or in that shelter standing next to Albom. That sentence inspired readers to give more than $300,000 — well beyond the initial goal of $60,000 — to do as much for homeless people all winter long as the city was doing over Super Bowl weekend. Super. All. Year. Detroit was formed.
Born in the broadsheets of the Detroit Free Press, SAY Detroit grew out of a series of columns by Mitch Albom. You can read the words that started it all.
January 27, 2006
February 2, 2006
February 8, 2006
SAY Detroit grew with this spirit — to help our neighbors in need.
1997
Mitch Albom begins forming charities the same year that his best-selling memoir of all-time (Tuesdays with Morrie) is published. He creates A Time to Help with WJR co-host Ken Brown as a means of inspiring Detroiters to volunteer on a regular basis. The initiative was officially rolled into SAY Detroit programming when it was established in 2006.
2006
After Albom goes public with a plea to do as much for homeless people all winter as the city was doing over Super Bowl weekend, the non-profit SAY Detroit is formed in partnership with the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM). Initial projects included:
2008
The SAY Deroit Family Health Clinic opens its doors, becoming among the nation’s first free health clinics devoted to homeless children and their mothers.
2011
The Detroit Dream Scholars is established, awarding four-year scholarships for young people to study the arts at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. The same year, Working Homes / Working Families is formed to help working families secure housing in refurbished homes in an effort to strengthen city neighborhoods.
2012
In 15 hours of live broadcasting, the first Radiothon raises over $400,000 to help the poor, homeless people, families without homes, children without medical care, students hoping to reach the college of their dreams and veterans who have hit hard times.
2015
The SAY Play Center at Lipke Park kicks off its first year on the city’s northeast side. Bolstered by volunteers serving as reading mentors, the center offers a first-rate tutoring program along with athletics, music, robotics and the arts to after-school students. The Detroit Water Ice Factory opens in downtown Detroit with profits supporting SAY Detroit.
2016
SAY Detroit extends its free youth programming to a 6-week summer camp, continuing education into the summer, and providing safe and fun activities for youth
2019
SAY Detroit launches the first of a now annual foodie experience and fundraiser. EAT Detroit lets patrons wander between the city’s hottest restaurants, tasting chef-created small plates and specialty craft cocktails, all in a festive atmosphere featuring area musical acts at each restaurant. The event is run with the support of volunteers from A Time to Help and local nonprofits who work with SAY Detroit in programming or receive funding from the Radiothon, providing an opportunity for patrons to learn more about SAY Detroit and the broadened scope of its outreach through community partners.
2020
Mobilizing quickly in response to the pandemic, SAY Detroit launched a six-point initiative to provide immediate assistance to some of our most vulnerable populations, whose needs – now only greater – are served by our efforts. “Detroit Beats Covid-19!” provided healthcare without barriers, including a walk-up and drive-through mobile testing center, food to seniors and families, protective gear for frontline workers, remote learning, and shelter. This year also saw the launch of “Better Together,” which seeks to bridge the gap between law enforcement and at-risk citizens of Detroit.
2021
SAY Detroit turns 15, and the annual Radiothon celebrates its 10th year, raising a record-breaking fundraising total of $10 million in a decade.
2022
Mi-Cycle collects its first donated bike. Located at the Marygrove Conservancy, the program repairs used bikes and provides them to children and adults in underserved communities who are in need of transportation for work, school, medical care, recreation and other activities while helping Detroit become a more bicycle-friendly city.
In the spring, SAY Play breaks ground on its 15,000-sq-foot expansion with the Kelly and Matthew Stafford & Friends Education Center. Completed in 2024, the annex includes classrooms, learning labs and a “black box” theater. It allows SAY Detroit to expand its services and house a growing and diverse range of programming, including vocational and technical training for adults.
2025
SAY Clinic moves out of Highland Park to a larger and more modern medical facility in the Dexter-Linwood neighborhood.
SAY Detroit purchased the former St. Cecilia School and historic gymnasium with plans to open a second SAY Detroit Play Center on the west side. The announcement is made at the annual December Radiothon. More here.
2026
SAY Detroit celebrates its 20th anniversary!
SAY Play unveils new state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, named for it first “chef” Mrs. Falls. Beyond daily meals, the new space will be the home for a developing culinary arts academy with curricula for life-skills development, healthy cooking and eating, nutrition education, and other interdisciplinary learning.