Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park residents have numerous opportunities to get involved in their communities this month, from civic forums and environmental initiatives to cultural celebrations and volunteer shifts. A variety of local job openings and ongoing community services are also available.
Beginning this week, a nonpartisan, community-led forum for Detroit public school board candidates is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the North Rosedale Park Community House, located at 18445 Scarsdale St. This event allows community members to pose questions and get informed before the upcoming election.
Volunteer hours are available this Thursday, Oct. 8, from 4-6 p.m. at the Keep Growing Detroit Farm, 3100 Orleans St. These weekly shifts help with end-of-season maintenance and fall harvesting. No RSVP or prior experience is necessary.
The Greening of Detroit invites volunteers to help plant trees this fall, with the next planting set for Friday, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 207 Harmon St. in the Gateway Community neighborhood. Also, The Greening of Detroit will host a free tree giveaway on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10-11 a.m. at the Adams Butzel Complex, 10500 Lyndon St., where 300 potted trees will be given to residents of Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck.
Indigenous Peoples Weekend will take place from Friday, Oct. 9, to Sunday, Oct. 11, across Detroit. The Thečhíȟila Collective, Detroit Indigenous People’s Alliance, Luki Bike Adventures, and Fork Around and Find Out Collective are organizing events to celebrate the resilience, strength, and joy of Indigenous people.
A Media Swap & Book Drive is set for Saturday, Oct. 10, from 2-5 p.m. at Roar Brewing Co., 666 Selden St. The Audiofiles and Roots Strong invite attendees to enjoy music, raffles, and food by bringing books, records, CDs, tapes, and other media to trade.
On Sunday, Oct. 11, community members will gather to remember Detroit organizer and abolitionist Curtis Renee from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Marygrove College Theresa Maxis Alumnae Hall, 8425 W. McNichols Road. Also that day, a two-part Peer Support Worker Training begins from 6-9 p.m. at The Love Building, 4731 Grand River Ave. Those interested in working for Detroit Peer Respite should also fill out an interest form.
The James and Grace Lee Boggs Center to Nurture Community Leadership, at 3061 Field St., will screen the abolitionist film “We Call Each Other” on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 2-5 p.m. The event includes discussions with filmmaker Sarah Oberholtzer and marks the closing of the center’s “Community Safety in Detroit” exhibit.
Lawyers can assist the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center by providing pro bono help to people facing prolonged detention in federal immigration camps. An online Habeas Corpus Training is available for this purpose on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
For those seeking employment, several organizations are hiring. Detroit Area Youth Uniting Michigan (DAYUM) offers young people a chance to get trained in activism and earn a $400 stipend; apply by Oct. 14. InsideOut Literary Arts is hiring an operations assistant part-time for $20-$25 an hour, with applications due by Oct. 18. Next Chapter Books is looking for seasonal, part-time booksellers from mid-October through December for $16 an hour; send a résumé to [email protected] to apply. The Umoja Debate League is hiring coaches to lead its after-school program; apply by Nov. 6.
Immediate hiring needs include Strangers No Longer, which is seeking a community organizer experienced in immigration policy advocacy; email Bill O’Brien at [email protected] with a résumé or questions. Detroit Heals Detroit is hiring two part-time interns to lead youth activities at The Healing Hub, a part-time after-school program assistant at $20 an hour, and a full-time Healing Hub director for $45,000 a year. The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition is hiring an executive director for $140,000-$150,000 annually, plus benefits. Focus: Hope needs a full-time major gifts officer for $96,000-$98,000. The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) is hiring a part-time social media and digital content manager ($30-$35 an hour), a full-time finance manager ($65,000-$70,000 a year), and a full-time major gifts officer ($75,000-$85,000 a year); send a résumé and cover letter in a PDF to [email protected]. American Indian Health and Family Services seeks a full-time human resources director for its new facility in Southwest Detroit, with full benefits. The O’Hair Park Community Association is hiring a part-time community engagement liaison for $20 an hour; send a résumé to Joyce Daniel at [email protected] for details.
Detroit Heals Detroit offers free, luxurious showers with towels, body wash, and hygiene kits every Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Healing Hub, 19510 Alcoy St. They also provide free laundry service, including a washer, dryer, detergent, and supplies, with appointments starting at 11 a.m. on Mondays. Wayne Health medical professionals offer free health screenings, vaccines, and mental health resources in neighborhoods and workplaces, with locations available on their event calendar. The Detroit Public Library provides free technology classes for all ages, offering group and individual support at multiple branches. Detroit People’s Assembly offers help with urgent immigration paperwork during office hours from 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Grace in Action Church, 1725 Lawndale St. Residents can also take a self-paced course from the American Bar Association’s Commission on Immigration to volunteer as an immigration court observer.
Several community feedback opportunities are also available. The Coalition for Property Tax Justice is collecting stories of Detroit property owners to build an archive of tax injustice. Detroit adults can earn a $25 gift card by completing a 20-minute online Neighborhood Vitality Index Survey. Feedback is requested on the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Regional Freight Plan draft policies and objectives. Chalkbeat Detroit and the Detroit Free Press are teaming up to learn metro Detroiters’ priorities on education policy for Michigan’s next governor, and BridgeDetroit seeks input through a Youth Engagement Survey.
