ARISE Detroit! Launches Volunteer Movement

ARISE Detroit! Launches Volunteer Movement

DETROIT, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifty organizations working to improve the quality of life for children and families will be showcased Saturday, June 24, at Detroit's first ever Volunteer Fair at Campus Martius Park.

The Volunteer Fair, from noon to 4 p.m., is sponsored by ARISE Detroit!, a new community-wide call to action and volunteer initiative. The fair is the first event that is part of a week of activities through June 30 during the official launch of ARISE Detroit!, an effort inspired in part by Bill Cosby's nationwide appeal for residents in urban communities to make a greater personal commitment to address issues of family dysfunction, high school dropout rates, neighborhood blight and other ills. The Volunteer Fair is an opportunity to learn about and sign up to volunteer for many programs working on these and other issues, including offering opportunities to tutor, mentor, address illiteracy and many other concerns.

"We are inviting anyone who wants to make a difference, anyone who cares, to come down to Campus Martius and be part of the solution," said ARISE Detroit! Executive Director Luther Keith. "This is an appeal for the entire community to come together with a unified vision for change. We have all the resources ready and enough programs, we just need more people to step up to volunteer and support the many worthwhile efforts already underway."

The Campus Martius event will also feature games for children and live entertainment, including the Mosaic Singers and the Second Ebenezer Church Choir, led by Rev. Edgar Vann. There will also be positive hip hop and Motown music. Many local organizations will have booths at the event, including The United Way of Southeastern Michigan.

"Our goal is to create a new paradigm, to get the community as excited about being involved in improving the quality of life, about helping children and families, as it gets about winning sports championships," Keith said.

Other launch week events include:

-- June 25: Call to Action Sunday, Metro Detroit churches are being urged to appeal to their congregations to become involved in volunteering. ARISE Detroit! volunteers will be at selected churches on this day.

-- June 26: Volunteering the Schools, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Atrium of the New Center One Building.

-- June 27: Peace Day, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wayne State University General Lectures Building, providing conflict-resolution workshops for teenagers and parents. This day will also feature a Peace Caravan through Detroit neighborhoods.

-- June 28: Literacy Day, The Detroit Public Library Main branch and selected branch will offer a wide range of programs.

-- June 29: Mentoring Day, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., YouthVille Detroit, showcasing groups involved in mentoring.

-- June 30: Reclaiming the Village: From Passion to Action, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., community summit and dialogue at Fellowship Chapel, 7707 W. Outer Drive, Detroit.

All events are free and open to the public.

Co-sponsors for the week include The Detroit Public Library, Detroit Public Schools, Goodwill Industries, YouthVille Detroit and Wayne State University, and the Detroit Regional Chamber as an ARISE Detroit! business partner.

ARISE is the acronym for Activating Resources Inspiring Service and Empowerment. The ARISE Detroit! Coalition, funded by the Skillman Foundation, includes more than 25 community groups, as well representatives from the religious, business and media communities.

Source: ARISE Detroit!

CONTACT: Luther Keith of ARISE Detroit!, +1-313-921-1955,
lkeith@arisedetroit.org

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