Detroit LISC Honors Community Champions at Ninth Annual Awards Ceremony

Friday, October 2, 2009

By Lori Ella Miller, Detroit LISC Scribe

Webster defines a “hero” as one who shows great courage.

Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) defines community heroes as ordinary individuals who possess the tenacity and courage necessary to be true champions for their community. On September 18, Detroit LISC hosted its Ninth Annual Detroit Community Development Awards ceremony to honor and recognize a group of deserving unsung heroes working hard to make a difference in Detroit neighborhoods.

FOX2 News Anchor Huel Perkins served as the emcee for the gala event that was held at the Roostertail, overlooking the sparkling waters of the Detroit River. Nearly 400 people attended, including neighborhood stakeholders, business and community leaders, as well as representatives from local, state and federal government.

This year, more than 200 organizations and individuals were nominated by the community; however, only nine were selected to receive the coveted Community Development Awards. These five individuals and four non-profits were selected based on their tireless work and commitment to restoring, preserving and revitalizing their neighborhoods. The 2009 Legacy Award was also given out to an individual who provides leadership, wisdom, and unswerving dedication to the furtherance of the Detroit community development industry.

What truly defined this ceremony, however, was not the exquisite translucent Community Development Award plaque, nor the enthusiastic applause from the audience. It was the laughter, the excitement, the joy, the tears and the hugs. It was an all-encompassing sense of accomplishment.

Each award-winner who accepted had an amazing story to share. These were personal and inspiring narratives of humility, courage and dedication.

Photo Credit: Paul Choi

Photo Caption: Detroit LISC Executive Director, Deborah L. Younger, with several of the "2009 Class of Detroit Community Champions" at the Ninth Annual Detroit Community Development Awards ceremony.

Following are the recipients of the 2009 Community Development Awards:

Grace Lee Boggs, who recently turned 94, received The Home Depot Foundation Legacy Award. Boggs, who was unable to attend, thanked the audience and Detroit LISC via a video message. According to Boggs, “We must continue to support local initiatives…and have vision, imagination and hope.”

For seven decades, Detroiter Boggs has played a vital role in political and community activism. Of her many projects, one of her greatest joys is the founding of Detroit Summer, a multi-racial, intergenerational collective in Detroit designed to rebuild and redefine the spirit of Detroit and its people. Julia Pointer-Putnam, who in 1992 at age 16 was the first Detroit Summer youth volunteer, accepted the Legacy Award on Grace’s behalf.

Pointer-Putnam helped develop the Boggs Educational Center, which promotes Grace’s ideals and commitment to learning through active involvement in the community.

Richard ‘Dick’ Rubens received the Chase Central Woodward Community Champion Award. Rubens is currently active in the Model T Automotive Heritage Complex, and has been active in the Cass Corridor, the New Center Council, Henry Ford Heritage Association and West Canfield neighborhoods. He serves on the steering committee of the Central Woodward North End Community Collaborative.
Dick said: “This award gives me a brief moment to have a pulpit to talk about the wonderful things happening in the neighborhoods.”

Chase Southwest Community Champion Award-winner Sheila Crowell stated, “This (award) means something positive for our neighborhood….it is not just about me.”
Crowell is a member of the Friends of Dingeman Park, and works closely with the staff of Bridging Communities on neighborhood revitalization. Sheila believes in getting people together to make things happen and is helping to form the 48210 Neighborhood Association.

Bertha Marsh, a community volunteer for more than 20 years, received the Home Depot Foundation Northeast Community Champion Award. Marsh is president of the Rowe Street Block Club, and is vice chair of Osborn High School’s community organization. She believes education is the answer to almost everything, so each year she leads a college tour for more than 40 Osborn students.
Marsh said, “This is the first time that someone has honored me.” She hopes that this award will inspire others to volunteer in their schools and neighborhood organizations.

The Home Depot Foundation East Community Champion Terri Shaw credits her parents for her compassionate approach to giving back.
Shaw said: “My mom and dad had an open door policy, if someone needed help, they gave it freely.”
Active in many organizations in her community, Terri is Vice President of East English Village Association; serves on the Board of the Farmers Market; and is active in the Work First program, the Detroit Vacant Property Campaign (DVPC), and the East Warren Business district.

Lifelong Detroit resident Ora Williams received the Home Depot Foundation Northwest Community Champion Award. Williams spends much of her time volunteering at the Brightmoor Alliance and the Brightmoor Community Center and with other youth programs in her community. Currently, Williams is partnering with First Book and Sony Pictures to distribute 1,000 copies of the book entitled “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” the inspiration for the movie of the same title.
According to Williams, “This award is important because it is ‘the community’ that is recognizing me.”

In addition, Detroit LISC recognized four non-profit organizations for their extraordinary achievements and leadership in several categories of community service.

Clark Park Coalition received the State Farm City-Wide Community Champion Award. This Southwest Detroit-based Clark Park Coalition supports the work of the Clark Park Recreation Center, a vital community resource that features both educational and sports activities for neighborhood youth.

Matrix Human Services was presented with the Charter One Foundation City-Wide Community Champion Award. Known in the neighborhood as “The Center,” Matrix Human Services is a beacon of hope offering a variety of programs that maintain and support families and improve the quality of life for thousands of Detroiters.

Pro-Literacy Detroit garnered the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) City-Wide Community Champion Award for its ongoing fight against illiteracy. An accredited affiliate of Pro-Literacy America, Pro-Literacy Detroit offers free literacy services, and has collaborated with 52 major employers and organizations to establish literacy and tutoring sites.

Focus: HOPE, which serves five neighborhoods that encircle its main campus on Oakman Boulevard, took home the prestigious MASCO Corporation Foundation CDC of the Year Award. Focus: HOPE offers a wide range of services to area residents, and also provides leadership to Detroit LISC’s Central Woodward Strategic Investment area, particularly in the area of crime and safety.

Focus: HOPE CEO William F. Jones, Jr., surrounded by his staff, accepted the award. Jones stated, “For 40 years, Focus: HOPE has been in the business of revitalizing its section of Detroit. When manufacturing and other businesses left the city, Focus: HOPE dug in deeper. This award inspires us; it inspires us to continue planning for the future in order to reach that next level in our community development work.”

After the last award was presented and Rev. Dr. Steven Archer gave the benediction, the attendees departed with a special token of appreciation. Everyone received a jar of Wild Detroit Honey from Green Toe Gardens, with a special attachment of wildflower seeds. A sweet tribute to the winners, symbolizing a job well-done, as well as the “sowing of seeds” that will one day yield tomorrow’s next generation of community champions.