At the close of our presentations during our first challenge for Matrix Human Services’s Osborn Community Center back in October, I sensed it wasn’t the last I would see of Osborn. A little background information on my ties to the Osborn neighborhood: as a Detroit native raised on the east side, both of my parents and a few other relatives attended Osborn High School many years ago. I also spent many summers in the area with my best friend of 20 years who grew up right around the corner. So, to my surprise, when I found out we were doing our first challenge in Osborn for Matrix Human Services, I couldn’t have been more elated and ready to take on Detroit’s east side. Fast forward two months – Matrix was still on my mind and little did I know that I would have the opportunity to return to the Osborn area again.

To close out the year, the Challenge Detroit fellows were set up with a holiday community service event for none other than Matrix Human Services! Now I had expected we would be returning to the Osborn Community Center to wrap gifts and prepare Christmas baskets for the community, but I guess I missed the memo that explained we would be volunteering along with Mosher Dolan and Kelley Construction. Upon arrival we found out that we would be working with power tools and an assortment of other handheld tools to give the Osborn Center gymnasium a “face-lift.” Shifting my mindset from ‘Santa’s little helper’ to ‘Bob the Builder’ was easier than I expected. I became more than enthused about the project as the day progressed, and I realized all this manual labor could replace my weekend workout. After removing all the unnecessary furniture being stored in the gym, I got to help knock down an entire wall!

We also had the opportunity to do a few other smaller fix-it projects in the building. Most importantly, we got to reconnect with some of the members of Matrix we worked with on our challenge project in October, and they were more than happy to see us again! Since this service renovation project at Osborn was ongoing over two separate weekends, I can’t wait to hear how it finishes up! It’s exciting to be part of anything that helps improve Detroit’s east side. I highly recommend a visit to the Matrix Osborn Community Center, whether it is to receive help or volunteer your time towards a great cause. Tis the season…

Contributed by Fellow Asia Gholston