Challenge Detroit: A Community-Wide Revitalization Effort

Sep 5, 2012

Challenge Detroit
Photo via Challenge Detroit Facebook Page

As we move into the Detroit community, we have recently learned that we are not alone! There are 30 individuals that have also joined the Detroit community, through the Challenge Detroit project.  These 30 participants were carefully selected out of over 900 applications to move to Detroit for one  year. The participants are part of a community-wide revitalization effort  that will live, work, play and give in the great city of Detroit.  The participants, completed their week-long orientation last week. In order to live in their new city, each participant is given a $500 a month housing stipend, and furnished housing in a lively area of Detroit where they will be able to interact with each other and the surrounding community. For work, each participant is placed with a host company, where they will work for one year for 32 hours per week. They also give back to the community through monthly team challenges designed to positively impact the community of Detroit.

Mayor Dave Bing
Mayor Dave Bing welcomes our inaugural class! Photo Via Challenge Detroit

The U-Haul team was so excited about the Challenge Detroit project, that we reached out via social media to see how we could get involved.  We were immediately responded to by Executive Director, Deirdre Greene Groves.  Deirdre connected us with two participants that were eager to partner with U-Haul as community bloggers.  You will hear more from the bloggers, Asia and Brittany,  in upcoming weeks. When we asked Deirdre why she chose to get involved with Challenge Detroit, she responded,

” I have always wanted to be a part of the good things happening in Detroit.  I grew up in a rural community outside of the city and fell for Detroit at an early age.  When I was working for a construction firm building lofts in the city and the founder shared his idea for what would eventually become Challenge Detroit, I couldn’t resist the opportunity.  Challenge Detroit is one of those good things happening in Detroit. “

Deirdre is right! Challenge Detroit is definitely a great thing happening in Detroit. A fundamental component of revitalization efforts is getting people to move back into the city. We want to help Challenge Detroit share this message, so this project can create exposure of the lively city of Detroit, and encourage more individuals to move back.  Even though this year’s project has just kicked off, Deirdre is already looking to get ramped up for next year’s project.  If you are as excited about Challenge Detroit as we are, then here are some ways you can get involved next year as either an individual, or a business:

1) Companies interested in hosting a participant as an employee for a year

2) Nonprofits that would like to participate in the monthly team challenges, and

3) Supporters for their overall programming.

Challenge Detroit Participants
Challenge Detroit Participants Photo via Pgamper

Since Challenge Detroit is a non-profit program, we asked Deirdre what kind of support and/or resources, they still need help with.  She responded,

” While programming is underway for our second year, we still need help garnering funds to bring the program to life again.  Support, whether financial or in-kind, is incredibly important to continuing Challenge Detroit and our efforts to attract and retain talent to Detroit. “

If you would like to learn more about Challenge Detroit, visit their website. You can also follow the project on their Facebook page or on twitter @ChallengeDet. Do you think the  Challenge Detroit participants can make a difference? What do you think of the Challenge Detroit project? Tell us!

More articles like this one…

What’s New

Community Spirit: U-Haul Volunteers Help at André House

Community Spirit: U-Haul Volunteers Help at André House

Over half a million people face food insecurity in Maricopa County. Local nonprofits work daily to address this ongoing concern, but could not service those in need with the commitment of community and business members who choose to step up and help. U-Haul...

U-Haul Volunteers Gain Satisfaction from Service at St. Mary’s

U-Haul Volunteers Gain Satisfaction from Service at St. Mary’s

U-Haul® volunteers recently helped St. Mary’s Food Bank put a fresh spin on its mission to provide food for people in need across Arizona. Thanks to St. Mary’s partnership with meal-kit company HelloFresh®, people facing food insecurity can now receive both an...

Texas Panhandle Wildfires: U-Haul Offering 30 Days Free Storage

Texas Panhandle Wildfires: U-Haul Offering 30 Days Free Storage

U-Haul® is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage to residents impacted by the wildfires across the Texas panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire started on Monday and has burned more than 1 million acres. It’s the largest in the state’s...

U-Haul and ACS Join Forces in Climb to Conquer Cancer

U-Haul and ACS Join Forces in Climb to Conquer Cancer

The Climb to Conquer Cancer of Phoenix is the American Cancer Society’s largest single-day climb event in the world. Every February in Arizona, thousands of cancer survivors, family members, caregivers and supporters participate in the Climb to Conquer Cancer. U-Haul...

U-Haul, Tribute Journey Spread Valentine’s Day Love to Veterans

U-Haul, Tribute Journey Spread Valentine’s Day Love to Veterans

February 14 is not just Valentine's Day. It is recognized as a National Salute to Veteran Patients day. During Valentine's Day week each year, U-Haul and the Tribute Journey say “thank you” to veterans of the U.S. Armed Services who are cared for in Department of...

U-Haul International Moves with U-Box Makes Moving Abroad Easy

U-Haul International Moves with U-Box Makes Moving Abroad Easy

Every new year invites new adventures. If your 2024 adventures include moving abroad, U-Haul International Moves® is equipped and licensed to support your exciting transition each step of the way. The U-Haul® brand is known globally for empowering do-it-yourself...

U-Haul Helps Kurt Warner Charity Change Lives of Arizona Family

U-Haul Helps Kurt Warner Charity Change Lives of Arizona Family

When Luz decided to apply for Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona’s Homeownership Program, she had no idea just how much of an impact it would have on her son, Jason. The family met Habitat’s criteria and completed more than 400 hours of “sweat equity” by working...

U-Haul Recognizes Its 2023 Volunteers of the Year

U-Haul Recognizes Its 2023 Volunteers of the Year

TEMPE, Ariz. — Michelle Vukov-Mikel and Michele Ramirez have been honored as the U-Haul® Volunteers of the Year for 2023. At the end of each year, U-Haul recognizes the Team Member(s) who has volunteered the most hours, supported the greatest number of U-Haul charity...