If you have a passion for something, there is certainly a way to get involved with it in Detroit. No matter what type of organization you chose, there will almost always be a way that group gives back to the community. I’ve found that organizations in Detroit, even ones that are founded with a for-profit mindset, find some way to give back to the community they represent. Food venues like Fountain Bistro and COLORS use locally grown products in their dishes. The new Whole Foods is calling out to local producers who are looking to sell their products in its new store. Quicken Loans has a blog that showcases all the community driven efforts they take part in throughout Detroit. No matter what your personal interest or passion, I bet there is something out there for you to get involved in that will help make Detroit a stronger community. But just a word to the wise…once you start giving you’ll find it hard to stop.

To paint a picture of the contagiousness of giving, I want to share the story of Matrix Human Services, our first challenge partner! For our first challenge (and first encounter with Matrix), fellows put together a community impact study for the Matrix Human Services Community Center doing amazing and inspiring work in Detroit’s Osborn neighborhood. We provided them with a report that they could show to their board leadership as well as potential investors which laid out all the important and necessary services the center offers.

A few months later, Mosher Dolan and Kelley Construction called upon the help of Challenge Detroit fellows to aid in a major service project for Matrix where a complete renovation of the center’s gymnasium was donated and finished. This was our second opportunity to do something great for an organization that does so much within the city.

But this is Detroit; of course this wouldn’t be the last time that we worked together with Matrix. The Motown Winter Blast teamed up with the organization to collect donations through “admission” of $1, a canned food item, or a book; all of which were donated to Matrix Human Services. Challenge Detroit fellows volunteered as donation collectors for a portion of the Winter Blast, again showing that giving is never a one-time opportunity.  Matrix Human Services gives so much to the people of this city that need it the most and, in turn, organizations in Detroit have found multiple ways to give back to them knowing Matrix cannot do its job without their support. See what I mean? You give, you get, you give, you get….it’s a never-ending cycle!