Detroit residents have multiple opportunities to engage with their communities this week, from participating in a candidate forum for the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) School Board to volunteering for local greening efforts. A nonpartisan, community-led forum for DPSCD School Board candidates will take place on Wednesday, October 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the North Rosedale Park Community House, 18445 Scarsdale St., for questions and information before the election.
The Greening of Detroit invites volunteers to help plant trees in the Gateway Community on Friday, October 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 207 Harmon St. The organization will also host a free tree giveaway on Saturday, October 10, from 10-11 a.m. at the Adams Butzel Complex, 10500 Lyndon St., distributing 300 potted trees to residents of Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck. Keep Growing Detroit is seeking volunteers for end-of-season maintenance and fall harvesting at its farm located at 3100 Orleans St., with hours available on Thursdays, including October 8, from 4-6 p.m. No RSVP or prior experience is necessary.
Further community gatherings include Indigenous Peoples Weekend, running from Friday, October 9, to Sunday, October 11. It is organized by Thečhíȟila Collective, Detroit Indigenous People’s Alliance, Luki Bike Adventures, and Fork Around and Find Out Collective. On Saturday, October 10, from 2-5 p.m., The Audiofiles and Roots Strong will host a Media Swap & Book Drive at Roar Brewing Co., 666 Selden St., inviting attendees to trade media while enjoying music, raffles, and food.
Sunday, October 11, offers several events. Community members will gather from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Marygrove College Theresa Maxis Alumnae Hall, 8425 W. McNichols Road, remembering Detroit organizer and abolitionist Curtis Renee. The James and Grace Lee Boggs Center to Nurture Community Leadership, 3061 Field St., will host an abolitionist film screening of “We Call Each Other,” a discussion with filmmaker Sarah Oberholtzer, and the closing of its “Community Safety in Detroit” exhibit from 2-5 p.m. A two-part Peer Support Worker Training begins Sunday, October 11, from 6-9 p.m. at The Love Building, 4731 Grand River Ave. Lawyers can provide pro bono assistance to individuals facing prolonged detention in federal immigration camps through an online Habeas Corpus Training on Tuesday, October 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Beyond scheduled events, residents have access to various ongoing free services. Detroit Heals Detroit offers free, luxurious showers with hygiene kits every Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Healing Hub, 19510 Alcoy St., alongside free laundry services by appointment on Mondays starting at 11 a.m. Wayne Health provides free health screenings for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and COVID-19, and mental health resources, with an event calendar showing their schedule. The Detroit Public Library offers free technology classes for all ages, covering skills from basic computer use to graphic design. The Detroit People’s Assembly hosts immigration office hours on Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. at Grace in Action Church, 1725 Lawndale St., to assist with urgent immigration paperwork.
Several local organizations are also hiring for paid positions. Strangers No Longer seeks a Community Organizer. Detroit Area Youth Uniting Michigan (DAYUM) offers a Youth Intern position with a $400 stipend for activism training; apply by October 14. InsideOut Literary Arts is hiring a part-time Operations Assistant for $20-$25 an hour, with an application deadline of October 18. Next Chapter Books is looking for seasonal, part-time Bookseller help at $16 an hour. The Umoja Debate League is hiring Debate Coaches for after-school programs, with applications due by November 6.
Detroit Heals Detroit has immediate openings including two part-time interns, 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 seeking an Executive Director with a salary of $140,000-$150,000 plus benefits. Focus: Hope needs a full-time Major Gifts Officer ($96,000-$98,000). The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit is hiring for a part-time Social Media and Digital Content Manager ($30-$35/hr), a full-time Finance Manager ($65,000-$70,000/year), and a full-time Major Gifts Officer ($75,000-$85,000). American Indian Health and Family Services is searching for a full-time Human Resources Director with full benefits. The O’Hair Park Community Association is hiring a part-time Community Engagement Liaison at $20 an hour.
Finally, residents can provide valuable community input through several ongoing initiatives. The Coalition for Property Tax Justice is collecting stories from Detroit property owners regarding tax injustice. Detroit adults can earn a $25 gift card by participating in an online Neighborhood Vitality Index Survey. Feedback is also open on the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Regional Freight Plan draft policies and objectives. Chalkbeat Detroit and the Detroit Free Press are collaborating to gather metro Detroiters’ priorities through an Education Survey. Residents can also volunteer as an Immigration Court Observer after completing a self-paced course from the American Bar Association’s Commission on Immigration.
