An International House of Volunteers in the Heart of Detroit
What started as a rehab has turned into a labor of love, Karen Cherven created an International Home right here in the heart of Detroit.
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The Little Bit Project Spreading Positivity in the Heart of Detroit
Spreading positive energy in Detroit and abroad, Terri Smith is doing her Little Bit right here in the heart of Detroit.
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Sharing the Giving: More than $1 Million Given to Detroit Charities
DETROIT, March 27, 2018 — Representatives from 22 area charities accepted checks totaling nearly $1.25 million on Tuesday from donations raised at Mitch Albom’s S.A.Y. Detroit Radiothon last December.
The ceremony at the Fisher Building, which included six first-time recipients, has become S.A.Y. Detroit’s favorite day of the year, said Albom, who distributed the funds to the benefitting charities with Dr. Chad Audi and representatives from major sponsor organizations, and supporters. Audi is president of the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, which is S.A.Y. Detroit’s operating partner.
“It’s really the generosity of the people who gave to our Radiothon — some even $5 or $10 contributions, all the way up to large corporate gifts — that we are sharing with worthy charities around Detroit,” said Albom, who founded the S.A.Y. Detroit nonprofit in 2006. “It’s our honor and pleasure to do so each year.”
Funds were distributed to the following charities:
- S.A.Y Detroit Play Center, $565,000
- S.A.Y. Detroit Family Health Clinic, $300,000;
- Working Homes Working Families, $100,000;
- S.A.Y. Detroit Tomorrow Fund (endowment), $100,000;
- College for Creative Studies/Detroit Dream Scholars, $30,000;
- Cass Community Social Services, $25,000;
- Bing Youth Institute, $10,000;
- Humble Design, $10,000;
- Westside Cultural & Athletic Club, $10,000;
- COTS/Bright Beginnings, $10,000;
- SASHA Center, $10,000;
- Michigan Veterans Foundation, $10,000;
- LA SED INC., $10,000;
- *Notes for Notes, $7,500;
- Real Life My Music, $7,500;
- *D2N/EVO Detroit, $7,500;
- United Sisters of Charity/Mother Batie’s Kitchen, $6,000;
- Hole in the Roof Foundation/*Grace Episcopal, $5,000;
- Veterans Matter, $5,000;
- *Art Road, $5,000;
- *Friendship Circle/Farber Soul Center, $5,000;
- JVS, $5,000;
- *Buckets of Rain, $3,000.
(* Denotes 1st-time recipient).
Albom also announced the expansion of S.A.Y. Detroit’s Board of Directors. The 11 members are: Dennis Archer, Cynthia Ford, Carmen Harlan, Judge Damon Keith, Rob Orley, Al Papa, David Provost, Charles Rothstein, Arn Tellem, Albom and Audi. A new advisory board will be announced soon.
“We’re so pleased to form the expanded board of S.A.Y. Detroit, which reflects a wide range of backgrounds, expertise and history,” Albom said. “I’m proud to be working with them and have great confidence that they will help steer S.A.Y. Detroit into the future and even greater level of effectiveness to help the needy in our city.’’
The 2018 Radiothon is Dec. 6 at the Somerset Collection in Troy.
Painting With A Mission For Women in Recovery
DETROIT, March 26, 2018 — In a span of three hours, the walls of the main hallway of the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries’ women treatment facility were transformed from stark white to pretty in pink.
Actually, the official name of the paint color was “Flowers of May’’ —a soothing pinkish-lavender hue that operations manager Sonya Bailey and the staff at Genesis House III chose to brighten up the building’s interior for its residents. On Saturday (March 24), S.A.Y. Detroit’s all-volunteer team of A Time to Help was more than happy to help make it happen.
Thanks to Motor City Paint Company, which donated paint, supplies and employees for the event, more than two dozen volunteers were able to tackle the large project — which included painting three foyers — in three hours.
“Our involvement with the community is one of our core values,” said Chuck Schaeffer of Motor City Paint Co. “We don’t need to do it for exposure. Our store is a close-knit community, and this is just part of what we do. To be involved with Mitch (Albom), S.A.Y. Detroit, and DRMM, it’s in the wheelhouse of what we do.”
Although Albom, founder of A Time to Help and S.A.Y. Detroit, was unable to attend the project, he spoke to the volunteers on speakerphone to rally the troops. Ken Brown, Albom’s radio-show co-host, kicked off the event. The Saturday crew included several first-time ATTH volunteers.
“This is so new to me,” said Kimberly Sims of Detroit, who volunteered with two other employees from work. “I’m finding it so motivating. I’ll be back.”
A Time to Help’s next project is scheduled for April 21 at the S.A.Y. Detroit Play Center at Lipke Park. Event details will be posted later this week.
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In the Spotlight in the Heart of Detroit
Doing what she loves most, Nancy Florkowski and her cast of characters are bringing drama to the masses here in the heart of Detroit.
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Crocheting for a Cause in the Heart of Detroit
One woman’s mission and a team of support, Gail Marlow and the Motor City Mitten Mission are providing a little comfort right here in the heart of Detroit. (more…)
The Heart of Detroit
The Heart of Detroit is a groundbreaking public service initiative that shares inspiring stories of metro Detroiters with heart and everyday people who step up to help make our community a better place to live. You can learn more here.