As we begin the final two challenges of our fellowship experience, I find myself beginning to reflect on everything that I’ve learned as a Challenge Detroit Fellow since I began the program in August 2013. In my last post, I discussed key findings I thought may be helpful to next year’s fellows, mostly in regards to teamwork and interpersonal relationships, but now I’d like to share what I learned through each of the challenges themselves.

 

Challenge 1: Community Arts

Challenge1Pic

Through working with Bleeding Heart Design (b.h.d.) for our first challenge, I became aware of a neighborhood that I had never previously traveled to, or even heard of, though born and raised in Detroit. Its demographics were a stark contrast to the more affluent Palmer Park and Sherwood Forest neighborhoods located just a few blocks and a short drive away from the area we were working in. Our experience here helped me to realize that inequitable distribution of wealth is not just an issue illustrated by the city and the suburbs, but can also be found within the boundaries of the city of Detroit itself.

 

Challenge 2: Multimodal Transportation

Challenge2Pic

I learned through Challenge 2 that although this is the Motor City, many Detroiters do not have access to reliable transportation. I was fortunate enough to be raised in an environment where my family, friends, and almost everyone I knew had their own vehicles, so I was grateful to gain a new perspective of the city from the viewpoint of those without their own cars.

 

Challenge #3: Homelessness

Challenge3Pic

Our third challenge with Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS) taught me that homeless is not a label, but rather a condition that anyone could find themselves in, given the necessary circumstances to create said condition. I was shocked by how many young residents I saw at COTS, and by the kindness of the people I encountered there, who still found the strength to be pleasant and polite despite the difficulties that they were facing. The experience taught me that there’s never an excuse for being bitter or angry at the world, because there’s always someone who has it worst and who can still manage a smile.

 

Check in next month for lessons from the final three challenges – Community Innovation, Land Conservation & Community Engagement and the Independent Impact Project!