River Rouge Promise Neighborhood Initiative
In September of 2010 The Guidance Center received exciting news that it would partner with the city of River Rouge and many community groups and individuals to increase the educational outcomes of children from birth to career and their families. Using a Federal Grant from the Department of Education that models the successful Harlem Children's Zone in New York, our agency is taking a holistic approach with the planning process to focus on social, cultural, educational and environmental aspects to determine the needs of the community.
This grant focuses greatly on education, but a plan also is in the works to concentrate on housing, unemployment, health, safety and basic needs. A child's ability to learn is diminished if he/she is worried about where his/her next meal will come from. As a group we will address all of the underlying issues that impact a child's development.
Our team has focused on community engagement and collection of comprehensive data. Community engagement is key to a successful implementation plan and revitalization of River Rouge neighborhoods and community stakeholders are key to every process, including decision making, planning, and implementation of new programming. The city of River Rouge, with a population of 9,000, faces the same challenges and barriers as its close neighbor, the city of Detroit.
The River Rouge Promise Neighborhood Initiative has formed more than 60 partnerships including other non-profit organizations, local government, local schools, the faith-based community, small businesses, and large corporations such as DTE Energy, Marathon Oil and U.S. Steel. Everyone wants to see the area revitalized and again be a thriving community where families want to settle.
Many third- and fourth-generation families still reside there. The hopes of the group include restoring River Rouge to its successful past with quaint shops, thriving businesses, good schools, quiet neighborhoods full of families on every block, and an outstanding basketball program! The Promise Neighborhood Initiative has inspired a great deal of hope that it is possible!
Click here to view the 2010/2011 Promise Neighborhood Planning Initiative Report.
Podcast:
Families And Schools Together
Click here to find out more about a new program coming to River Rouge.
