In this week’s Fellow Spotlight, we are checking in with Anna Schroen. She fills us in on what he enjoys most about Detroit, her host company, the Detroit Lions and what she’s looking forward to as a Challenge Detroit Fellow

Challenge Detroit Fellow: Anna SchroenWhat do you enjoy most about living, working, playing, giving and leading in Detroit? 

A: I enjoy the constant discovery in Detroit. Learning the history of the city can be heartbreaking and inspiring and it is always surprising. 

Tell us about your host company and what you do? 

Challenge Detroit Fellow: Anna SchroenI work for the Community Relations Department of the Detroit Lions, specifically in the Living for the City program, which is the philanthropic arm of the Lions. Living for the City promotes sustainable health and wellness initiatives and community development, and supports organizations that pursue integrated approaches to physical fitness, healthy eating, community infrastructure and aligned workforce opportunities. My position is varied and among many things, I plan events including the Detroit Lions Mom’s Clinic, I serve on the D2D Buyers Council, I also help run the 50/50 Raffle at all home games (and the occasional Bills game or Bowl game) which raised well over $500,000 for Game On Cancer and the Living for the City initiative.   

What have you learned with Challenge Detroit so far? 

I’ve learned a lot of different perspectives about Detroit that I didn’t have the opportunity to hear before. Because of its history, Detroit can often be a very sensitive city, particularly when it comes to hearing the opinions of non-native Detroiters, so, it’s been a good opportunity to hear both native and non-native thoughts, opinions, perspectives and ideas.

Challenge Detroit Fellow: Anna SchroenWhat kind of impact do you hope to make with your host company? With the city? 

I hope to help my division tell the story of all of the great things it is doing in the community. In the city, I hope to contribute to my neighborhood (In the warmer months you can often find me picking up trash around Cass Corridor) and continue to spread the word about the great things going on here.  

 

 

Also, be sure to check out Anna’s video to learn more about her time in Detroit, so far.