About DCIMOVEMENT.ORG

---

Detroit Change Initiative partners with the American Heart Association and Bank of America to deliver a phased approach, using system and policy-change strategies to create long-term, sustainable impact. The overall goal is to integrate and normalize trained community members who are embedded within areas of need to deliver life-saving interventions (CERP plan, CPR, first aid, defibrillators, etc.), provide ongoing heart health education within existing programs, and to create policies mandating the needed training, staffing, and maintenance of this programming.

We will return with a series of Black Male Engagement. Detroit will kick off a state-wide male engagement conversation about our community. Look out for new upcoming dates.

The Sound Mind Sound Body (SMSB) Foundation-a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization-is a leading mentor of students in under-served communities across America. SMSB is dedicated to reducing high school dropout rates while increasing college readiness and scholarship obtainment among students through extracurricular activities.

The Sound Mind Sound Body (SMSB) Foundation was founded in Detroit, Michigan, in 2004, using sports to connect with students to learn that equal amounts of energy must be applied to both books and ball. Our Sound Mind, Sound Body curriculum combines academics, athletics, and life skills development training for students and parents to create well-rounded families that understand this formula for a successful life. Our program mission is to improve annual student persistence rates, increase high school graduation rates, and increase enrollment in postsecondary education programs.

 The city of Detroit and its surrounding suburbs have come a long way, with many aspects of city life improving for residents steadily. However, the public transportation system in Metropolitan Detroit remains inadequate for many. A significant number of Detroiters struggle to maintain employment without access to a vehicle.

Nearly 8,600 Detroiters walked to work in 2020 (a 30% increase since 2014). Studies show that a major barrier to employment is lack of transportation.  In fact, lack of a vehicle worsens Detroit’s unemployment rate.

This problem inspired the creation of "Wheels For Work: Birthday Blessing", when Richard Sr., Kevin and Richard Jr. came together with a vision to celebrate their milestone birthdays in September.  

Partnering with them is the esteemed Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries(DRMM), an organization with over a century-long legacy of supporting Detroiters through various initiatives such as housing, meals, job training, and much more. DRMM will act as the fiduciary for all donations, making donations tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.  DRMM will also help select the deserving recipients of the vehicles.

You may recall the heartwarming story of a formerly homeless department store security guard who walked ten miles each day to work. DRMM's generous donation of a Dodge Neon changed his life.

These birthday boys want to replicate this effort for as many Detroit families as possible. Will you help? 

 To provide at-risk and marginalized boys and girls (ages 3-18) access to much-needed sports programs, academic services, financial literacy, nutritional guidance, money management, higher education, and transportation.   To that end, our foundation focuses on providing financial assistance and equipment to both traditional and nontraditional sports (i.e., football, soccer, basketball, baseball, chess, lacrosse, swimming, gymnastics, dance, and cheer), as well as mentoring services, conflict resolution, leadership development, financial literacy, and higher education.  

Our efforts will help cohesively develop healthy bodies and healthy minds of area youth, readying them to become physically, mentally, socially, academically, and financially competitive today.  This makes The Childs Play Foundation one of the most diverse Foundations in Metro Detroit.

Comcast announced a new round of 100 businesses in Macomb, Oakland,

Washtenaw and Wayne counties will receive comprehensive grant packages that include business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, a media schedule, and a technology makeover. Comcast RISE is committed to supporting the growth of all small businesses while advancing the objectives of diversity, equity, inclusion, and community investment. The program was created to help businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth.

Beginning on June 1, and through June 30, eligible businesses in metro Detroit, Baltimore, Memphis, Philadelphia, and Portland, can apply for a grant package at www.ComcastRISE.com. One hundred grants per city, or 500 overall, will be announced in August and awarded in September 2023.