Challenge Detroit x CFSN

By: Gary Hopkins, Challenge Detroit Fellow with CFSN

As a Challenge Detroit Fellow the five pillars of Live, Work, Play, Give, and Lead; really drive the fellowship experience. As I reflect on my year of fellowship with Challenge Detroit, I’m extremely grateful for all the opportunities the fellowship gave me to experience those five pillars. Being able to do 4 different challenge projects for the city of Detroit, in collaboration with four organizations that are making a difference for Detroiters has been an amazing experience.

 Our first project with Detroit Parks Coalition was an amazing experience and a very rewarding experience. Hearing positive feedback about the work my cohort did around outreach/ stewardship in Detroit parks from multiple DPC Board members, made me feel like we really did good work and maximized our time. I really enjoyed doing this project because growing up in Ann Arbor and going to great parks positively impacted my life. Parks gave me an opportunity to engage with my community in a positive way, while also meeting some of my best friends in life. Being able to give back to Detroit Parks in our first project was a honor, because I believe all kids should have access to good and safe parks.

Our Second project with Wayne Metro was one that gave us insight on struggles that a everyday Detroiter might experience in the workforce. The work my group did around workforce program participants retention data from Wayne Metro staff, made me realize how much of positive impact that Wayne Metro has on the community of Detroit, giving them opportunities to advance their careers or make a career pivot. I really enjoyed doing this project because of Wayne Metro mission to pursuit to eliminate poverty in Wayne County, Wayne metro empowers people and communities to be strong, healthy, and thriving. Being able to give back to the Detroit Community in our second project was an honor, because I believe that Wayne Metro workforce programs will continue to have a positive impact on the Community of Detroit.

Our Third project with the Joe Louis Greenway Project, they a focus on community and economic development, this is our third project out of four. The Joe Louis Greenway Partnership is a 501C3 Organization with the purpose of making The Joe Louis Greenway a space that celebrates the strength and resilience of its surroundings communities through inclusive programming, ongoing beautification, and international community engagement. The Joe Louis Greenway will be a 29-mile recreational pathway that will connect residents and visitors across 23 neighborhoods in Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, and Dearborn through a combination of new trails, on-street protected bike lanes, and links to existing trails in Southeast Michigan. For this project I had an opportunity to be a team lead, my team focus for this project is Youth Programming/ partnerships for the Midwest tireman section of the Joe Louis Greenway. I enjoyed being able to lead this project, being able to test out my leadership skills and to gather 4 of my cohort members around a common goal was a great experience so far! I really enjoyed being able to come up with Youth Programming for this upcoming summer. Being able to work on something that will be implemented in the next 3 months for youth in Detroit gave my team and I a great appreciate for this project.

Our fourth project was with Detroit United Lacrosse, DUL is a citywide youth organization dedicated to developing student athletes of character and integrity who will serve as positive members of the community. Detroit United Lacrosse works directly with youth from Detroit & surrounding neighborhoods to provide high-level lacrosse training, wellness education, and educational opportunities. We were tasked with helping support the growth of Detroit United Lacrosse to serve more youth in the city of Detroit.  My team for this project was tasked with creating a comprehensive fundraising framework for DUL. Being able to do this for DUL, a nonprofit that’s only around for 5 years, is going to a huge boost for the possible grants and donations that can obtain in next coming years. I enjoyed being able to learn more about the sport of lacrosse and being able to contribute to an organization that puts the needs of Detroit kids first, while also exposing them to a new sport that has opportunities to play in college for free. 

Overall, I really enjoyed my fellowship year and everything that was offered to me. I was able to grow professionally through Center for Success and Challenge Detroit, I believe this unique opportunity has prepared me for all of my career goals and Grad School next fall. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and can’t wait to come back to talk to future cohorts of Challenge Detroit.