Community Engagement and Planning

August 17 – Clean-Up at Loving Elementary

Community Engagement 

Vanguard’s Community Engagement Program is designed to organize community residents and stakeholders.  We serve as an informational clearing house and education to optimize effective community engagement in a rapidly changing neighborhood.  We organize residents to create community change. The purpose is to transmit critically needed information so that residents will be actively engaged in redeveloping their neighborhood as well as making good strategic decisions about such.

Community Leadership Information Program (Academy where people learn a variety of subjects such as:  tax foreclosure rescue, home repair, credit repair, weatherization and driving while dirty-mitigation workshops).

Vanguard’s Community Cabinet

Since 2017, our community meetings have evolved into a standing monthly community roundtable, where we have convened a permanent Community Cabinet consisting of neighborhood grass-roots leaders. We included residents, stakeholders and business owners from each geographic sector of the North End. They provide continuous guidance and direction to our work.

2020 Community Cabinet

Shirley Davis, North End Neighbors Block Club
Yolanda Eddins, New Paradigm Loving Academy
Etta Garth, HBCO Block Club
Chenita Gary, Comminity resident, Milwaukee Junction
Jerry Hebron, Oakland Avenue Urban Farm
Quincy Jones, Community resident, North End
Phillis Judkins, North End Safety Patrol

Health and Housing Prosperity Plan

In 2019, Vanguard received support from the Kresge Foundation to research and to create a plan to learn about the health challenges and the major health concerns that arise as a result of housing instability. Vanguard will raise awareness and determine a plan to best address the factors that further deteriorate the health of those who are already ill, and prevent health challenges for residents in the North End who are facing displacement or anxiety due to exploitative gentrification. Part of this work includes a film series on health, housing, and gentrification, including a panel discussion from national experts on racial equity and social justice.

Community Learning Information Project (C.L.I.P.)

Vanguard hosts community wide educational meetings/workshops on important subjects/projects on a monthly basis. Invitations go out to all 5,762 people in the North End, and many attend. This community education and information series composed of regular (monthly) seminars includes experts and professionals who present significant information that is fundamental for community residents. To date, these have included seminars on avoiding tax foreclosure by the Wayne County Treasurer; property purchase by the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA); understanding water drainage fees by the Detroit Water Department, addressing issues with rodents, and tax preparation guidance for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Community Newsletter and E-Blast

Vanguard issues a monthly North End community newsletter, which goes out to more than 1200 people electronically. The newsletter includes important Vanguard news; information from our CEI seminars; news from our North End partners, as well as from local government and business. Email MEdmonds@vanguardcdc.org to sign up to receive the e-news.

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