  Blondy Member Username: Blondy Post Number: 1201 Registered: 10-2003 |
See, good things do happen. "Marks watched as his schoolmates dragged, chopped and tossed wood into a large commercial Dumpster and smiled. He said it feels good to see the students connecting with an area they may know anything about. "It makes you feel that much better about helping the community," he said. "It makes you feel that much better about helping Detroit." "Becky Kempa, a 21-year-old student from Novi, said this was her second year participating. Last year, she helped to clear lots and then started volunteering as a tutor at Webster Elementary in southwest Detroit." http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20080329/M ETRO/803290422/1409/METRO | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 7245 Registered: 02-2004 |
How a Novi girl from the suburbs want to help the ghettohoods of Detroit? Surely she gave her heart to the people of Detroit. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 12035 Registered: 12-2003 |
quote: Great mantra for us all...at least those who are working for the betterment of the city! | ||
Gertrude Member Username: Gertrude Post Number: 56 Registered: 05-2005 |
As great as I think having suburban kids come in to the city to help out, I'd like to see suburbanites get a picture of Detroit that isn't all blight busting, soup kitchens, and stadia/suburbanite playground. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 5843 Registered: 10-2003 |
^ I guess you'll have to give them a blindfold, or teleport them directly downtown then. Otherwise, perhaps facing reality and trying to help like these students are is the best option. | ||
Paulmcall Member Username: Paulmcall Post Number: 822 Registered: 05-2004 |
After blasting suburbanites, maybe more Detroiters should clean up after themselves. You can't say all people outside the city don't care. | ||
Gertrude Member Username: Gertrude Post Number: 58 Registered: 05-2005 |
Johnlodge, what I mean is that not all Detroiters are living below poverty or directly suffer from substance abuse or mental illness. Most of the Detroiters I know have jobs, take care of their homes, pay their taxes, and lead lives not so dissimilar to the lives lived by suburbanites. That is the picture that most suburban kids in places like WB, Novi, Farmington Hills, SH, etc just don't have probably because their parents don't have it either. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 1879 Registered: 09-2007 |
Yes Gertrude, I agree. BTW, that was a nice gesture the young suburban girl made.  | ||
Blondy Member Username: Blondy Post Number: 1202 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hey!••• Let me be optimistic today. Only say nice things on this thread. Thanks. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 12044 Registered: 12-2003 |
OK. I think a portion of these volunteers have gone back VERY impressed by some who have stayed, and even more challenged by ones who have decided to become more than 'mere' volunteers. I've met some recently who have moved into the city because of the things happening here...so the organism can grow even with the loss of such talented and gifted individuals like my new musical friend Drew and others who have to move to find appropriate work in their field (and/or find themselves at the end of their faith and hope). My prayers include that those like him and that activist woman whose OpEd was published will return when the time is right, or continue to send at least good energy and more back here to maintain momentum...and that ALL of the newbies have dogs that need daycare, grooming, and playtime regularly. Ahem. | ||
Gertrude Member Username: Gertrude Post Number: 60 Registered: 05-2005 |
I will admit that back when I was in high school, there would have been no way that any suburban parent out in Novi would allow their precious children inside city limits. Many of suburban friends weren't even allowed to come to my house in a nice safe, neighborhood right off the expressway and two blocks from Redford Twp (which wasn't such a bad place in the late 80s). Things are moving forward and the progress will continue. Please forgive me for an excess of cranky this morning. I've had two cups of Italian coffee and I'm feeling better. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 5845 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: I agree with that, people don't realize that over 800,000 people live in the city, and the vast majority of them are good people. It's difficult to understand all the different factors involved like most of us here do. |
