Wow… how time flies! It’s been about two months since I first started living, working, giving, playing, and leading in Detroit. For me, October has been a month of new experiences and a month of firsts. When I think about it, I realize that every month I spend with Challenge Detroit will be a month of new firsts. Among many other firsts, we completed our first challenge on Community Arts and I went to my first Halloween party in the D, hosted by two of my fellow fellows.
This month, I believe that one of my biggest accomplishments was successfully completing our first challenge on Community Arts with Bleeding Heart Design. We went into our first challenge with no idea what to expect and limited time (one month) to complete our assignments. All of the fellows were split up into teams where they could most greatly contribute their intellectual capital and hands-on support. My group of three, including fellows Kyla Taylor and Tom Schuelke, used our knowledge of business to create a high-level guide with information on different topics, including the different forms of business, how to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and how to apply for grants, all complete with a glossary. We also provided hands-on-support at the build site on the corner of State Fair & Coventry Street, where we later hosted a community barbeque.
Just this past Friday, all of the fellows came together and each team presented their work to the Bleeding Heart Design team. At the presentation, it was great seeing all of our hard work flow smoothly and finally come together as one.
To conclude our challenge, the fellows hosted a community barbeque with Bleeding Heart Design in the Lindale Gardens community on the corner of State Fair & Coventry Street. For the first time in years, all of the community came out to mingle, eat good food, have a bonfire, listen to a live band, and let their kids have fun in the bouncy castle. I must admit that this was my favorite part of the entire challenge. The whole experience was heartwarming- the kids laughing and jumping in the bouncy house, an old man dancing to the music, fellow Ben Newton doing some freestyle singing, and the neighbors making s’mores at the bonfire, some of them later excitedly telling us how they would like to see an event like this happen again in their community. After having worked for the benefit of this community for the past month, I would like nothing more than to see it thrive.
One chapter is over and now it’s time for another one to begin. Let’s see what November has in store for me!
Until next time,
Shivani
