DREAM OF DETROITA Detroit Revival Engaging American

Muslims

Our Mission

Dream of Detroit is a Muslim-led initiative combining community organizing with strategic housing and land development to build a healthy community and empower marginalized neighborhoods.

The Crisis

• High vacancy: greater than 30%• Classified as an “ecological innovation” zone in

the Detroit Future City Plan– Neighborhood attrition expected to continue– Eventual reduction in (or removal of) city services

planned– Institutional funding for redevelopment drying up

The Opportunity

• Little to no competition in real estate development in this area—wont be boxed out residentially or commercially by anyone

• Rehab-able homes and vacant lots with potentially productive land

• Space for new commercial developments on Woodrow Wilson, Rosa Parks, and 14th St.

Community Organizing

• Local neighborhood outreach• Systematically engaging members of the

Muslim Center• Building strategic partnerships

Strategic Housing

• Build a mixed-income community accommodating all sorts of families and individuals living within walking distance of the masjid– Single family homes– Transitional homes– Apartment buildings– Hostels

After

Our First Home: 1688 Waverly Street

Before

“The greenest building is the one that’s already there!”

Commercial Development

• Establish Muslim and/or locally-owned businesses employing members of the surrounding community

• Begin with community staples:– Grocery store– Credit union– Barbershop/Salon– Pharmacy– Rental office space– Michigan Muslim Entrepreneurship Center

View looking north along Woodrow Wilson

The How

• Firm commitment from members of the local Muslim community (i.e. people who regularly attend the Muslim Center)

• Habitat for Humanity style volunteer building led by professionals in the construction trades

• Project subsidies led by members of the Muslim community (in Detroit and abroad)– Supplemented by outside financial sources

(government and private grants)

Our Vision

Dream of Detroit envisions a city amplified by its downtown business and entertainment districts, but anchored in its sustainable neighborhoods; a city where home ownership, small business development and cooperative economics, local food sourcing, and access to education and the arts are priorities of every neighborhood; and a city where compassion and mercy define the relationships of its residents.

“The True Life that G-D wants for all people—not one people—their true life is a life of cooperation… Community Life!”

—Imam W. D. Mohammed

Construction Team• Responsible for the construction and renovation of

high-quality housing in our targeted neighborhood• Who:

– People in the construction trades• Carpenters, Electricians, Fencers, Floor Layers, HVAC

Installers, Landscapers, Plumbers, Painters, Plasterers, Site Managers

• Primary task:– Work with architect, primary contractor and construction

lead to complete renovations

Organizing Team

• Responsible for community engagement, particularly among the local, non-Muslim population

• Who:– People who are persuasive, enjoy community building,

willing to work outside the Muslim community• Tasks will include:

– Holding 1 to 1s to ensure local support– Leading on implementation of community support

projects (tree planting, gift dispersal, program sign-up)– Eventually developing robust block club system

Events Team

• Responsible for pulling off well-executed, professional events

• Who:– Event planners, people who are detail-oriented and

have a concern for presentation• Tasks will include:

– Managing event schedule and day-of programming– Scoping and securing venues for events– Coordinating logistics before, during, and after

events

Coordinating Team

• Responsible for topline project management and execution

• Who:– People with strategic planning experience, strong writing

skills, fundraising success• Tasks will include:

– Volunteer coordination– Grant-writing– Donor identification/cultivation– Communications and marketing

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”

—Elizabeth Andrew, Author

The Next 90 DaysDate Event Details

Saturday, July 12/19 Neighborhood Meeting Muslim Center at 7pm

Monday, July 14 Begin next rehab Waverly

Saturday, August 2 Booth at Eid Block Party Muslim Center (date tentative)

Saturday, August 23 Community Meeting Muslim Center 3pm

Labor Day Weekend Booth at ISNA / Community Service

Cobo Hall

Saturday, September 13 Jazz Concert FR Mel Wanzo Jazz Cafe and Gym