HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – Highland Park is known for its challenges -- economic, social, and otherwise -- but the desire to transform it into the buzzing community it once was has not been lost by all, and most especially not by Mama Shu.
Highland Park resident Shamayim “Mama Shu” Harris lost her 2-year-old son to a hit-and-run in 2007. She then lost her 23-year-old son to murder in 2021. Her grief and her experience have propelled her to do even more for her community to help it grow into a safer place to live.
That’s why she founded Avalon Village, an organization focused on building up Highland Park and its people, especially the children. It’s quite literally a village: An entire block on Avalon Street between Woodward Avenue and Second has been taken under her wing.
Mama Shu’s organization has purchased several homes on the block, with plans to renovate them into livable spaces. One of her purchased homes has already been renovated, however, taking the form of the unique and generous Homework House, where several educational and fun programs take place for children of all ages, and even for adults.
The Homework House opened in 2022 after years of hard work and fundraising, and it has grown into an even more beautiful haven in the years since. The house offers a library space, a preschool, a music library, a music studio, two kitchens, accessible bathrooms, showers, and more.
Outside of the Homework House, in Avalon Village, you will find a basketball court, a fire pit and stage for shows, a community garden, a STEAM lab, a marketplace for women-owned businesses, and a sort of city-hall.
All of the work Mama Shu has been doing is for the community and future generations, but it’s also in honor of the children she has lost.
“You are doing all of this for so many kids, and you have lost both of your sons,” Karen Drew said to Mama Shu in 2022.
“Yes, it’s all for them and in memory of them,” Mama Shu said. “The whole experience gave me energy to create more, and it’s been healing doing this and keeps my mind off that.”
Avalon Village offers a series of resources and programs to community members throughout the year. This summer, kids can sign up for a music camp, “Hood Camp,” emotional regulation sessions, craft and painting classes, and more. Adults over the age of 18 can also sign up for GED completion classes that begin in June.
Click here to learn more about Avalon Village’s programs.
Donating to Avalon Village
Donations can be made to Avalon Village anytime, and can be general or go toward specific causes. Click here to donate to Avalon Village.
Coming up: 24 Hours in Highland Park
Local 4 anchor/reporter Karen Drew is taking on a new task on Monday, June 3: She’ll be spending 24 hours in Highland Park, covering stories of residents, Avalon Village, and everything in between.
Starting at 6 a.m. Monday, Karen Drew will spend some time on air -- and online here and on Local 4+ -- every hour to share those stories and cover what’s happening in the historic community. In between her live shots, she’ll be filming more Highland Park stories for a special that will air later.
The goal? To bring you in on the process in a new way, and to showcase the people of Highland Park and the work being done there.
Be sure to tune in to Local 4 throughout the day on June 3.
Learn more about the project in the video below.