Better Together bridges the trust gap between police and citizens, particularly youth, to help make everyone safer. And it’s working.
74% of participants surveyed feel more positively about community policing
Founded in 2020, the initiative’s primary activity is hosting “Willin’, Grillin’ and Healin’” lunches that gathers small groups of law enforcement, local activists, and at-risk citizens — including city youth and former inmates — each without knowing who the other guests are. After cooking and eating together, meaningful dialogue begins as roles and experiences are openly discussed.
DONATEBETTER TOGETHER
Empowering communities by building a culture of peace to end violence
The end result is people helping people without labels, without expectations…Unique, unconventional but truly delivering visible change.
— WXYZ, August 2021
Break bread to break the cycle of violence
The program has expanded with the creation of peace curricula in schools offering “cared straight” workshops, anger management, mentorship, conflict resolution, and mental health resources. It also partners with local organizations to deliver material and financial resources that support survival, stability, and public safety.
The program is run by Darryl Woods, a former convict now exonerated, and minister and founder of “Fightin’ the Good Fight,” a youth mentoring program. Woods was honored by the Detroit chapter of the NAACP with the Great Expectations Award in 2019.
