Making Detroit Greener, One Block At A Time
by: Pat BatchellerWDET listeners, staff join The Greening of Detroit to plant trees in Grandmont-Rosedale neighborhood.
WDET listeners, staff join The Greening of Detroit to plant trees in Grandmont-Rosedale neighborhood.
Craig speaks with Rob Amin, President of Teach 4 Detroit, Lori Fidler, Executive Director of Independent Transportation Network Metro Detroit, and Kamilah Johnson, Director of SASHA Center in Detroit, about their non-profit organizations, the niches they fill in Detroit and why they decided to focus on their different missions.
The world’s most famous skateboarder is supporting a unique skate park in Detroit. The Ride It Sculpture Park, a non-profit and community-based skate-boarding project, is receiving a $30-thousand dollar grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation.
Stretching from Mack Avenue to Campus Martius, Detroit’s Thanksgiving parade is one of the largest in the United States. Metro-Detroiters can look forward to floats, clowns, and marching bands. The parade is put together by The Parade Company. WDET’s J. Carlisle Larsen spoke with company President Tony Michaels about this year’s parade.
WDET's Rob St. Mary visits Detroit's Cody Rouge neighborhood to see the efforts made to improve community under Skillman's "Good Neighborhoods" program.
WDET members helped us raise enough money to buy over 22,000 books for local kids in need. This video tells the story of those books and their impact.
WDET's Rob St. Mary went to Rochester this week to talk the locals about their community.
"The idea is that when I talk to someone it goes beyond what I call “transactional” - just doing one interview for one story. The idea is building relationships with people. Building stronger, deeper connections and more authentic stories will come from that process. It’s about more than just filling space on-air or on-line. For me, it’s about connecting on a much deeper level.
That’s why I’ve been enjoying my coffee shop tour. "
The Detroit Food Policy Council is hosting a public listening session this afternoon at Gleaners Community Food Bank about the land sale process in Detroit. Craig speaks with Cheryl Simons, Coordinator for the Detroit Food Policy Council, and Malik Yakini, Executive Director at the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, about the listening session and the sale of public land in Detroit.
Data consultant Steve Doig speaks with Craig about the national investigative reporting project, News21 and their recent project, "Who Can Vote?" The program is the result of gathering, organizing and analyzing all reported cases of election fraud in the U.S. since 2000.
Journalist Anna Clark joins ML to discuss an article she recently wrote about the relationship between city government and nonprofit organizations.
Ben Falik, the brains behind Summer in the City, joins Arthur to talk about the volunteer program that he started as a teen.
Craig speaks with Lorraine Weber, Executive Director of For The Seventh Generation, and Sonya Mastick, owner of The Lesson Rooms in Royal Oak, about For The Seventh Generation and their new "Play It Forward!" program.
A $1-million federal grant is going to be used to remove the Wayne Dam on the lower River Rouge.
Life Remodeled is a non-profit that built a house for a family in six days. Pastor Chris Lambert of Ekklesia Church in Westland and co-founder of Life Remodeled, Jim Pritchard, leader of Pontiac Build Project and Lee Banta, the dad of the family that received the house in Pontiac join Craig to share the details of their project.
Mothering Justice leader Danielle Atkinson and State Representative Vicki Barnett join Craig to discuss the aims of the organization and unveil what Mom's really want for Mother's Day.
Johnathan Holifield will speak on May 10 from 5-7 pm.
Fisher Foundation Vice Chair Julie Fisher Cummings announces results of the "Detroit's One-Child School Readiness Dividend" study at a news conference at 12:30 pm Wednesday.
Miss Michigan Elizabeth Wertenberger, Co-founder of Livonia-based Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund Chris Cornelius and Commander Kirk Lippold join Craig to talk about an upcoming fundraiser for soldiers.
Craig talks with Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Roy Roberts and City Year Executive Director Penny Bailer about the awards they will be receiving at the Ripples of Hope benefit this Thursday.
Daughter of Harry Chapin, Jen Chapin, sings a few of his songs live in the studio.
Detroit Works Project comes to WDET to update listeners on the short and long term plans.
Operation Kid Equip partners with WDET to provide books for low-income children.
The global efforts to eradicate polio India has been the biggest public health initiative in the country's history. India has a population of 1.2 billion and as of last month has been polio free for one year.
Craig speaks with Sue Mosey and Victor Green from Wayne State Community Affairs about the upcoming event to clean-up Cass Corridor.
March of Dimes is sponsoring a March for Babies on Sunday, April 29 at Wayne State.
Modeled off of Teach for America, Venture for America takes the nation's top entrepreneurial talent and places them in struggling cities like Detroit to contribute their energy to building new businesses.
Representatives from the Brain Injury Association of Michigan speak with Craig about the implications of repealing Michigan's helmet law
WDET's Amy Miller goes to Focus:Hope to learn more about their legacy and to volunteer as a part of WDET's Call to Action.
Theresa Early, Director of Adult Programming at Matrix Human and Shirley Edwards, Executive Director of Spectrum Child & Family Services, join Craig to discuss their respective projects.
WDET's Quinn Klinefelter spotlights Detroit's Coalition On Temporary Shelter (COTS) as part of WDET's Call to Action initiative.
Karla Henderson, Detroit Works Project Group Executive, joins Craig to talk about the short term results of an initiative that has reached 157 households and granted two million dollars towards renovating homes.
The Rotary Club of Detroit hosts its Champions of Literacy Awards night at Motor City Casino on March 29th WDET's Amy Miller discusses the event with Rotary's Elizabeth Yeats Smith, Detroit Rotary President, Frederic Pearson and ProLiteracy Detroit CEO Margaret Williamson.
As part of WDET’s “A Call to Action”, an effort to unlock ten-thousand hours of volunteerism to improve Metro Detroit, WDET’s Rob St. Mary takes a look at the Ravendale Community Center on the city’s eastside.
WDET's Travis Wright spotlights Reading Works volunteers as part of Detroit Public Radio's Call to Action.
WDET General Manager Mikel Ellcessor joins Craig to update listeners on the status of Detroit Public Radio's Call to Action public service initiative.
WDET's Amy Miller speaks with All About Animals Rescue Development and Marketing Director Catherine Garrett about her organization's new mobile spay and neuter clinic, which is the first of its kind in the City of Detroit.
Tony Russell from the Osborn neighborhood, Scott Brines of Southwest Detroit Community Benefit Coalition, and Founder of Blight Busters John George call in to share their thoughts about the State of the City address along with members of WDET's Public Insight Network.
Little Dresses For Africa Founder Rachel O’Neill joins Craig to discuss her local non-profit's Central-Africa-focused mission.
Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity-Detroit Vincent Tilford joins Craig to check-in with the longstanding non profit.
Interim Director of the Community Development Advocates of Detroit Steve Tobocman talks to Craig about the CDAD's history with Detroit and how it the organization has confronted the challenges of the economic recession. The CDAD is hosting their Neighborhood Opportunity Breakfast March 8 at Second Ebenezer Church at 14601 Dequindre.
WDET's Amy Miller speaks to League of Women Voters, Oakland area spokesperson Renata Soulen about the Michigan Primary and the LWV's annual public service announcement competition.
WDET's Amy Miller speaks with the Michigan Humane Society's Linda Reider and Debby MacDonald about two proposed state bills, aimed at effectually keeping puppy mills out of Michigan by putting severe restrictions on breeders.
Make your pledge today as part of our 30 day sprint to unlock 10,000 new volunteer hours in Detroit! Match your passion with an organization that needs your help using our new tool!
Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh and WDET's General Manager J. Mikel Ellcessor join The Craig Fahle Show to recap WDET's "Call To Action" meeting to jump start volunteerism to improve Detroit.
Craig speaks with Public Campaign President and CEO Nick Nyhart about the United States' current campaign finance system and his nonprofit's efforts to change it.
Wayne State University Professor Tim Butler and his wife, Beverly, join the Craig Fahle Show to talk about the push for organ donation on college campuses.
Every two weeks, WDET's Support the Arts program features a regional arts an cultural institution that deserves further attention. This time, It's the letterpress print house Signal-Return.
Craig speaks with No Colors author Bobby Kipper.
Residents, business leaders and community activists are joining WDET to leverage the human spirit brought together as part of our recent "Call to Action" efforts.
Help shape our coverage and engagement by sharing your knowledge and insights.
Board Members of One Hundred + Women Who Care-Motown, Karen Rashid-Balow, Nancy Sullivan and Molly Williams, join Craig to discuss the mission of their new organization.
Detroit's oldest and largest architectural preservation organization Preservation Wayne is changing it's name to Preservation Detroit and Craig spoke with Interim Executive Director Marion Christiansen and President Melanie Markowicz about the change.
Business Leaders for Michigan is an organization dedicated to making Michigan a "Top Ten" state for job, economic and personal income growth. Serving as the state's business roundtable, Business Leaders for Michigan is composed of the chairpersons, chief executives or most senior executives of the state’s largest job providers and universities. The CEO's of DTE Energy, Charter One Bank and BME Join Craig to discuss their plans.
Craig speaks with Belle Isle Conservancy Board Member Vance Patrick and former Friends of Belle Isle Aquarium Secretary Jennifer Boardman about this Saturday's Shiver on the River 2012. The February 4th event will run from 10a.m. to 3p.m.
Challenge Detroit is accepting applications country-wide to select 30 innovative leaders for its 2012 program. Craig speaks with Challenge Detroit Executive Director Deirdre Greene Groves, as well as with Vince Thomas, CEO of partnering company, Billhighway.
A new project, called Detroit4Detroit, is launching in the city. It's part of the national organization, Citizen Effect. Detroit4Detroit is a movement of 150 passionate citizens, each committed to leading the fundraising for a community project in Detroit. They are looking for people who are ready to have a direct impact on the city, they have the tools and support for you to bring your friends, family and social network together for the Detroit cause you believe in. Craig speaks with the project's Eric Moss and Nicole Schneidman.
Award-winning poet, editor, and educator, Naomi Long Madgett, has nurtured aspiring Detroit poets through her teaching, annual poetry award, and publishing company. She has recently been named the 2012 Kresge Eminent Artist. Craig speaks with Madgett about her work and receiving this distinguished award.
Craig talks to child-kidnapping survivor, Elizabeth Smart, about her own personal story, as well as how to not allow the past dictate a child survivor’s future. Smart is in town for a related speaking engagement at Care House of Oakland County's annual Circle of Friends benefit luncheon, which raises money for the organization's advocacy and child abuse prevention programs.
As precursor to WDET's upcoming community meeting at the Detroit Waldorf School, Craig speaks with Pewabic Pottery Executive Director Terese Ireland about the historic role of the creative hub in Indian Village and the region.
Ten Detroit men have won grants for projects that improve the lives of African-American males.
Co-founders, Ted Braude and Tim FitzPatrick of the Partnership For Dads join Craig for a conference-focused discussion about the Partnership's 12th annual Fathers Conference January 28th in Waterford.
State of the State reactions continue, as Craig speaks with this segment's Christina Kuo, Senior Director of Public Policy and Public Affairs for the Michigan Nonprofit Association.
Know of a Detroit non-profit that that's looking for volunteers? Tell us about it!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit recently began its fifth annual “100 MENtors in 100 Days” campaign. The non-profit will be amping-up efforts through April 9th to recruit male volunteers for the many locally-participating boys still in need of mentors. The organization's president and CEO, Dara Munson, joins Craig in the studio to discuss details for this year's on-going event.
Cave Detroit is an artist collective as well as a gallery and performance space located deep inside the Russell Industrial Center in Detroit. WDET’s Travis Wright spoke with Cave artist and talent buyer Andrew Davis.
Elliot Wilhelm, from the Detroit Film Theatre joins Craig to preview the Detroit Film Theatre's 2012 film series.
Everyone makes New Years' resolutions, but it's often more difficult to keep them. How can we make better choices in 2012? Today, Craig invites Racing for Recovery Founder Todd Crandell to the show. He will be joined by Filmmaker Tony Armer, who wrote, produced, and filmed the new feature about Crandell, Running with Demons. They'll be discussing how to make positive changes in your life.
The Ann Arbor Campus for the Thomas M. Cooley Law School is adding new curriculum and with it, a new clinic which will serve as a Center for Immigration and Civil Rights Law. Today on the show, Craig welcomes Cooley Law Associate Professor Jason Eyster to discuss Cooley's new changes and their impact on the area. This is the first in-house clinic available for the Ann Arbor campus.
In our on-going conversation about why you should live in Detroit, Craig welcomes the Villages Detroit Community Development Corporation Directors Board President Kirsten Ussery, and the organization's executive director, Brian Hurttienne. They deliver their "elevator speech" on what the city has for you.
Gleaners Community Food Bank is hosting Double Your Donation Day today. The organization's Senior Vice President of Advancement, Gerry Brisson, joins Craig in the studio to talk about the drive and share stories of the impact food donations have on recipients and donors.
Craig welcomes Belle Isle Conservancy Board Member Jan Ellison to talk about taking a stroll through Belle Isle's Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory tonight.
Detroit is currently headed in the direction of an emergency financial manager appointment, with state with oversight from the Michigan Department of Treasury beginning today. Michigan Forward Director & CEO Brandon Jessup joins Craig to give his organization's perspective on the situation.
Craig speaks with William Jones, CEO of Focus Hope, about the organization's loss of funding now causing a suspension of its jobs programs.
A Detroit area fashion designer is seeking the community’s help to warm those in need this holiday season. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Sarah Lapinski about her second annual coat drive which starts today.
The youth group of a local non-profit is offering a CD of music as a fundraiser. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to area musician Joe Reilly about “We Are Dream Seekers” – a record of contemporary and traditional music to support American Indian Health and Family Services of Southeast Michigan.
Nicole Vaughn has adopted five children--including a set of twins--with the help of Lutheran Social Services. Im commemoration of National Adoption Day, she joins Craig to talk about the yearly event and her own experiences with the growth of her family.
TLC's "Extreme Couponing" star, Faatima Evans, and Focus:Hope Manager of Food Programs Frank Kubik, join Craig to talk about their combination-purpose seminar being hosted on Friday, November 18th. The seminar will address couponing tips, and serve as a collection-station of holiday food for area families in need.
A new policy could impact thousand of Michigan families currently receiving food stamp assistance. For roughly a decade Michigan has determined food assistance eligibility based only on income. The new policy will include a review of financial assets. Those with assets of more than $5,000 in bank accounts or some types of property would no longer be eligible for food assistance. Automobiles with a value of more than $15,000 and second homes (depending on the value) would also count.
Belle Isle Conservancy Chair Sarah Earley joins Craig to discuss the collaboration of smaller Belle Isle-focused groups--into this larger group--to better serve the island.
The Michigan Opera Theater Opens its' season with the rarely-staged Carmina Burana by Carl Orff. Michigan Opera theater Director, David DiChiera say he's wanted to create something spectacular around the music for years.
Halloween starts early this weekend at the Redford Theatre with a screening of the 1960’s horror comedy “Munster, Go Home”. The non-profit community movie house on Detroit’s Northwest side is hosting actor Butch Patrick of the 60s cult TV show “The Munsters” as part of the event. Patrick was cast as “Eddie” the wolf boy on the show. Patrick talks to WDET's Rob St. Mary about those times, what he's doing today and this weekend's event.
Craig talks to Birmingham Community House President Camille Jayne.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a fundraising party on Friday. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Marsha Miro – the President of the museums’ board of directors.
Jerry Lindman, Director of Lawrence Technological University's Center for Nonprofit Management, talks with Nichole Christian on the Craig Fahle Show about Detroit's growing nonprofit sector and the challenges of transforming grassroots missions into sustainable models of success. Quincy Jones, Executive Director of the Osborn Neighborhood Alliance, joins Lindman on the show.
The Michigan Opera Theatre is reaching out to young professionals to build support and appreciation. The annual opera ball is being held on Saturday. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to one of the co-chairs of the event – Peter Van Dyke about the opera and the annual ball.
“It’s like a trip to Disneyland for your mind, except the rides come to you!” - Ron Arnold, TEDx Detroit attendee.
My look at TEDx Detroit 2011 by Rob St. Mary
The historic Pewabic Pottery is Detroit is seeking a little help repairing a necessary part of its operation – the chimney. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Terese Ireland, Executive Director of Pewabic Pottery about the damage and the fundraising campaign.
LaToniya Jones, a math instructor and developmental education department chair at Baker College, talks with WDET's Nichole Christian, on the Craig Fahle Show, about her personal crusade for a more mathematically literate community.
WDET wants to know what each individual in the area is willing to do the change the equation.
We’re talking with newsmarkers, changemakers and area residents all this week to find out.
WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Toni McIlwain – the president of the Ravendale Community Center on Detroit’s eastside about her center and what can be done on a grassroots level to fight against crime and the conditions that cause it.
Group started in response to the riot, has tried to bridge violence for 40+ years.
Co-founder of Focus:HOPE helped thousands of people for more than 40 years.
Earlier today, WDET’s Rob St. Mary introduced us to a group of people from Grosse Pointe and Detroit’s eastside working together to build bridges between the long divided communities. As part of the effort, both groups attended a service earlier this year at the Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church. What follows is an edited version of the sermon given by the interim minster at the church, the Reverend Mitra Rahnema
For about a year now congregants at a Grosse Pointe church and members of an eastside Detroit neighborhood have been working in tandem to change attitudes and the lives of people in both communities. WDET’s Rob St. Mary reports.
Saturday is a day community organizers say they want the entire city to come together, neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block, and pitch in to help improve Detroit. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke with Luther Keith… the Executive Director of Arise Detroit about Neighborhoods Day.
As suburban poverty grows, regional philanthropies may be necessary to help hold the social safety net together. A new Brookings report recommends philanthropies shift their focus and expand their regional support.
WDET, Patch.com, and WSU's Community of Scholars join forces to help Matrix Human Services and give some old swag a new life in the process.
The mission of WDET STAR recipient the Art Experience is to provide creative and therapeutic arts experiences to a diverse Oakland County community. The Art Experience, Inc. is a non-profit community art studio in Pontiac, Michigan.
To mission of WDET STAR recipient Springfed Arts is to educate and inspire folks in the craft of writing, be it prose or song, the performance of works, spoken or sung.
WDET STAR recipient the Matrix Theatre Company is nationally recognized as a socially engaged theatre that transforms individuals and revitalizes community through original artistic work.
WDET STAR recipient Living Arts exists to strengthen the urban neighborhoods of Southwest Detroit by cultivating an environment that sparks the imagination and fosters ingenuity through the arts and community development initiatives.
WDET STAR recipientInsideOut Literary Arts Project places professional creative writers as teachers and mentors in schools to engage K-12 students in the pleasure and power of poetry and literary self-expression. InsideOut uses innovative classroom techniques and celebrates students’ creativity by providing performance opportunities and publishing their work.
Formed in April 2006, WDET STAR recipient Hatch is the brainchild of Hatch president Christopher Schneider and Erik Tungate, Hamtramck’s former Director of Community & Economic Development. They saw a need for an artist community that would promote Hamtramck in a positive way. Artists could pool their resources to challenge each other and reach out to the greater community. In March of 2007, we "Hatched!" with our first juried exhibition.
Founded in 1932, WDET STAR recipient The Detroit Artists Market fosters a vibrant and distinctive artistic community in Detroit and Michigan by promoting, exhibiting and selling the work of emerging and established artists, through educational programming and art exhibitions, and by serving as a resource to all who seek to expand their knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of art.
WDET STAR recipient Friends of the Alger Theater is a non-profit community-based organization comprised of neighborhood residents and businesses dedicated to preserving the Alger Theater.
WDET STAR recipient Art Road Nonprofit was created in 2004 with the mission that children throughout Southeastern Michigan have access to art instruction. Our goal is to create the best art model to reach more students that lack art in their curriculum.
WDET STAR recipient the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center's mission is to connect people of all ages & abilities with visual arts education, exhibitions & other creative experiences.
WDET STAR recipient Arts & Scraps is a Detroit non-profit organization that uses recycled industrial materials to help people of all ages and abilities think, create and learn.
WDET STAR recipient The Detroit Children’s Choir was established as a vehicle to help the children of metropolitan Detroit grow — gaining self confidence, social and political awareness, and academic skills – while setting the stage for continued active involvement in the arts throughout their lives.
WDET STAR recipient The Scarab Club occupies a unique place in the Detroit's arts and cultural scene. Not only was it founded by some of the city's most prominent artists, but both the club and clubhouse have survived the tumultuous changes of the last century.
WDET STAR recipient VSA Michigan promotes creativity in people with disabilities by creating an inclusive society where they may participate in, learn through, excel in, and enjoy the arts.
The mission of WDET STAR recipient Trinity House Theatre exists to enrich and enliven the communities of Southeastern Michigan through brave, truthful and necessary works of art.
Charged with nurturing artists and making the arts accessible to the community, WDET STAR recipient Studio 1219 is poised to be the impetus for connecting arts and culture with economic growth in the Blue Water Area. Studio 1219 provides a physical link between the thumb region's growing community of artists and the businesses of the region.
WDET STAR recipient the Saline Fiddlers have set the standard for extracurricular music programs in the United States. The group began with a simple idea: introduce an alternative style of music education to public school students. It has grown into a model of instruction and motivation that is being emulated across the nation. Yet more importantly, it is a brilliant example of what young adults can and will achieve if given a direction and the opportunity to explore, and pursue their own interests.
Currently entering its 66th Season, WDET STAR recipient the Michigan Philharmonic has a new name and begins a new era. For 65 years, the orchestra was known as the Plymouth Symphony and also, for its smaller presentations, Orchestra Canton. Now as the Michigan Philharmonic, they continue to bring exciting new opportunities to provide culturally enriching and educational programming in Plymouth, Canton and surrounding communities.
If so, you could grab a chunk of $50,000 set aside for ideas like yours.
Rishi Jaitly, the foundation's new program director, brings The Knight Foundation's mission of creating "informed and engaged communities" to Detroit.
Joel Jacob will be receiving the JCRC's 2011 Activist Award for helping to get Walmart to donate $2 Billion toward hunger relief.
The deadline for non-profit groups to apply for grants to improve the Ferndale Community is Friday.
DAFT helps teens and adults create high-quality, well-honed stories and offers a platform for them to be shown.