DETROIT – Months after a driver slammed a pickup truck into its building in Detroit, the Eastside Community Network (ECN) received a $1 million grant to make improvements.
Through Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s “Make it in Michigan” strategy, the grant focuses on supporting community centers.
The ECN is unique as President and CEO Donna Givens-Davidson notes, there’s nothing like it around.
“We’re in a community where the streets are not walkable, we have a lot of air pollution, and there are no fitness centers, dance, or art,” said Givens-Davidson.
Givens-Davidson says that in the building, donated by Henry Ford Health in 2012, they’ve created many of those spaces for community members at little to no cost.
It’s either free to join or $20 for the entire year. Members get access to exercise equipment, a library, and all sorts of classes that promote wellness.
Tammara Howard says having the ECN has strengthened and connected the entire community.
“It’s something to say we all live around each other but never would’ve met each other if it weren’t for her, and we live in the same neighborhood,” said Howard.
Maggie DeSantis started the mission work 40 years ago under the Warren Conner Development Coalition. She says she’s proud of the way the organization has adapted to meet residents’ needs while addressing concerns such as environmental issues.
“The way it has evolved has been very astonishing, and it makes me feel really proud,” DeSantis said.
With the grant, they hope to create a more sustainable building and make it feel more accessible. They plan to remove a wrought iron fence and create more green spaces surrounding the building.
As for the main entrance of the building, which is still awaiting repairs following the August incident, the Eastside Community Network will be accepting proposals from community members next week to see how the space can be transformed into a place of peace and reflection.
“I started envisioning this whole way of pushing against violence with peace; one hateful man can’t change who we are as a center,” DeSantis said.