Volunteers transform Detroit on 5th Annual Neighborhoods Day

Volunteers lugged trash to the curb, cleaned up vacant lots, and trimmed overgrown brush in the Grandmont Rosedale Community On Saturday.

 “It is a lot of work,” said Tom Ridgeway of the Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation. “But it feels good.”

The group he worked with is one of more than a dozen that went to work to beautify Detroit on Arise Detroit’s 5th Annual Neighborhoods Day.

Others in the community found other ways to reach out. They put on parades, festivals, youth events, stop-the-violence marches, and health fairs on Saturday. The goal across the board is to improve neighborhoods.

“It brings people together,” said Councilman James Tate.

He says one of the best parts of this day is that it is not planned by the city. It is created at the grassroots level by people who want to make their communities better. People taking part say it is inspiring to see the city transform in a matter of hours as volunteers work together.

“It gives you hope, that we can turn that corner,” said Ridgeway. To learn more about Arise Detroit, click here.