DETROIT – The Shotstoppers program is putting money in the pockets of entrepreneurs in the city of Detroit.
With a $100,000 grant from the Shotstoppers program, Daryl Young was able to turn his vision of a restaurant, “Moma G’s”, into a reality.
The Community Violence Intervention, a key supporter of Metro Detroit businesses, contributed significantly to the funding. They awarded $70,000 to four businesses, including Young’s, led by individuals who are dedicated to fostering positive change in their communities.
“CVI is a huge program that I didn’t know would one day turn around and be helping me,” said Young, who volunteers with an organization called The Peoples Action Detroit. “I go to the schools, through the neighborhoods, and talk to the kids about how to handle conflict resolution.”
Young got involved after serving time in prison for a felony crime. That conviction prevented him from turning his former neighborhood, Coney Island, into a new restaurant.
It sat vacant for 17 years, and when he bought it a few years ago, he was unable to move the project forward.
He was denied a loan because of his past and figured no one else would help him finance his dream either.
“I thought it was completely over, I thought my dreams was crushed,” Young said.
When he heard about the Motor City Match program, he decided to give it a try. Young hopes to renovate the space and get the restaurant up and running by the end of the year.
The other recipients will use their grant money to add a dental care office, luxury spas, cafes, and other restaurants to the community.