THE GREENING OF DETROIT
Programs
Program 1 [2020]
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - CREATED IN 2009, THROUGH PATHWAYS OUT OF POVERTY GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE GREENING'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE UNEMPLOYED DETROITERS WITH VALUABLE JOB TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION IN THE GREEN INDUSTRY. PARTICIPANTS IN THE GREENING'S ADULT WORKFORCE PROGRAM ARE TRAINED FOR JOBS IN LANDSCAPING, FORESTRY, AND AGRICULTURE. THE FOCUS AREAS WITHIN THE GREENING'S PROGRAM INCLUDE: FIRST AID AND SAFETY, LANDSCAPE PLAN READING AND ESTIMATING, TURF INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE, PLANTS AND PLANTINGS, TREE/SHRUB MAINTENANCE, IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, LANDSCAPE EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY (TAUGHT BY OSHA-CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS) AND CHAUFFEUR'S LICENSE TRAINING. IN 2014 THE PROGRAM ADDED A NEW CERTIFICATION IN THE FIELD OF TREE ARTESIAN. THIS CERTIFICATION FOCUSES ON URBAN FORESTRY, TREE REMOVAL, AND STUMP GRINDING. THIS PROGRAM IS ALSO CERTIFIED AS A FEDERAL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. IN 2020, THE GREENING OF DETROIT'S DETROIT CONSERVATION CORPS, CONTINUES TO MOVE ITS MISSION ALONG WITH TRAINING 2,400 DETROIT RESIDENTS, WITH BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT. THE DETROIT CONSERVATION CORPS (DCC) WAS FORMED WITH A FIVE-YEAR A GOAL TO TRAIN AT LEAST 2,400 UNEMPLOYED DETROITERS THROUGH THE GREENING OF DETROIT'S ENTRY LEVEL LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY PROGRAM; AND PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT WITHIN A LOCAL CONSERVATION CORPS. THE CORPS OPERATES AS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, AVAILABLE TO IMPLEMENT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDSCAPE RENOVATION PROJECTS. DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD TO PIVOT TO INCLUDE BOTH VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON TRAINING. IN 2020, 42 DETROIT RESIDENTS GRADUATED FROM THE DCC PROGRAMMING AND 92% WERE PLACED INTO JOBS. DCC IS A FEDERALLY ACCREDITED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM: GRADUATES RECEIVE MULTIPLE CERTIFICATIONS IN FIRST AID, CPR, MIOSHA, CUSTOMER SERVICE, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION. DCC IS A COLLABORATIVE SERVICE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES WRAP-AROUND SERVICES, INCLUDING SOCIAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE, RESUME WRITING, AND THE JOB INTERVIEW SKILLS THROUGH ITS PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, SCARLETT COMMUNICATIONS, AND IMPOSSIBLY IMPOSSIBLE. OVER 700 ADULT TRAINEES HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE GREENING'S COHORT SESSIONS WITH CERTIFICATES. EIGHTY-SEVEN PERCENT OF THE TRAINEES HAVE BEEN PLACED INTO JOBS THAT PAY ON AN AVERAGE $14.00 AN HOUR.THE GREENING OF DETROIT HAS PLANTED MORE THAN 133,000 TREES THROUGHOUT THE CITY SINCE 1989. AS OUR SCOPE OF WORK GREW, THE ORGANIZATION CREATED A SUMMER YOUTH WORKFORCE PROGRAM TO ASSIST IN THE WATERING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TREES. THE GREEN CORPS PROGRAM HAS COLLECTIVELY EMPLOYED MORE THAN 1650 DETROIT YOUTH SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1998. BY MAINTAINING THOUSANDS OF TREES IN OVER 130 PLANTING SITES ACROSS THE CITY, CORPS MEMBERS ARE INVESTING THEIR ENERGY AND TIME IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THESE YOUTH ALSO BEAUTIFY PARKS, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND PARTICIPATE IN CONSERVATION PROJECTS THAT HAVE MEANINGFUL AND BENEFICIAL IMPACTS FOR DETROIT RESIDENTS. THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORK, AND TO NURTURE A SENSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.IN 2020, 65 GREEN CORPS YOUTH WERE EMPLOYED BY THE GREENING OF DETROIT. DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD TO PIVOT AND MODIFY FROM THE ORIGINAL GREEN CORPS PROGRAMMING. A VIRTUAL PROGRAM WAS CREATED THAT DELIVERED THE SAME ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERIENCE THAT STUDENTS LOOK FOR EACH SUMMER. WE QUICKLY IDENTIFIED THAT THE NEED FOR THIS SUMMER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM WAS CRITICAL NOW MORE THAN EVER. STUDENTS EARNED AN HOURLY WAGE OF $8.90 AN HOUR, AND STUDENTS AGES (18-24) EARNED WAGES OF $12.50 AN HOUR. THE VIRTUAL PROGRAM INCLUDED EXPOSING OPPORTUNITIES IN GREEN COLLAR JOBS, COLLEGE READINESS, WORK READINESS, SAT PREPARATORY SESSIONS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, LEADERSHIP BUILDING, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND TEAM BUILDING.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$387.5KProgram 2 [2020]
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE - TREE PLANTING IS ESSENTIAL TO BUILDING A THRIVING, HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN COMMUNITY. OVER THE PAST 32 YEARS, THE GREENING WORKED WITH ITS CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PLANT MORE THAN 133,000 NEW TREES CITYWIDE. IN 2020, THE GREENING, HOSTED 26 TREE PLANTING EVENTS THROUGHOUT DETROIT, HIGHLAND PARK, AND HAMTRAMCK, RESULTING IN THE INSTALLATION OF 1200 TREES WITH THE SUPPORT OF 707 VOLUNTEERSIN ADDITION TO COMMUNITY TREE PLANTINGS, THE GREENING COMPLETED THE POT IN POT NURSERY AT MEYERS TREE NURSERY, WHICH REQUIRED THE INSTALLATION OF 1,000 TONS OF SAND AND OVER 1000 NURSERY POTS. AS PART OF THIS SITE CONSTRUCTION, A LARGE-SCALE RETENTION POND THAT MANAGE SURFACE FLOW FROM OVER 29 ACRES, AND RETAIN OVER 1 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER. IRRIGATION FOR THE POT IN POT NURSERY IS DIRECTLY PUMPED FROM THIS POND, CREATING A SUSTAINABLE WATER SOURCE THAT INDEPENDENT OF CITY WATER THAT ALSO SERVES AS HABITAT FOR LOCAL WILDLIFE. ADDITIONALLY, OUR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE WORK INCLUDED A FEE FOR SERVICE PROGRAM (FFS) THAT PROVIDED BOTH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED EMPLOYMENT FOR 8 GRADUATES OF THE GREENING'S ADULT WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM, THE DETROIT CONSERVATION CORPS (DCC). THE FFS PROGRAM EARNED OVER $310,000 OF REVENUE, SUPPORTING BOTH THE TRAINING PROGRAM AND GREEN JOBS FOR DETROITERS.COMMUNITY OUTREACH HAS BEEN A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO OUR WORK OVER THE LAST THIRTY-TWO YEARS. THE GREENING CONTINUES TO SUPPORT AND ADVOCATE FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO ARE CREATING AND ADVOCATING FOR HEALTHY GREENSPACE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORK INCLUDES: WORKING WITH OVER 35 COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEER GROUPS FOR TREE PLANTING; TRAINING 20 NEW CITIZEN FORESTERS WHO LEAD VOLUNTEER GROUPS DURING COMMUNITY PLANTINGS AS WELL AS SUPPORT MAINTENANCE AT THE MEYERS TREE NURSERY AND LAFAYETTE GREENS; THE DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION OF NEW EDUCATION MATERIALS AS MEMBERS OF THE LAND AND WATER WORKS COALITION, INCLUDING "TREES AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND YOUTH CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO ENGAGE K-12 STUDENTS. OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS, THE GREENING OF DETROIT HAS COMMITTED OVER 500 HOURS TO CO-DEVELOPING CURRICULUM, HOSTING FORUMS, PUBLIC EVENTS, AMBASSADOR WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS TO SUPPORTING DETROITERS TO BECOME BETTER STEWARDS OF OUR LAND AND WATER.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$677.5KProgram 3 [2020]
GREEN SPACES- LAFAYETTE GREENS.THE GREENING OF DETROIT OPERATE LAFAYETTE GREENS, OUR URBAN GARDEN LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN DETROIT. THE HIGHLY-VISIBLE GREEN SPACE IS A SHOWCASE PROJECT FOR THE GREENING, PROVIDING US WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY, SPOTLIGHT OUR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMS IN THE CITY. OPEN SINCE 2011, LAFAYETTE GREENS WAS FORMERLY OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE COMPUWARE CORPORATION, WHICH DONATED THE .75-ACRE SITE TO THE GREENING OF DETROIT SIX YEARS AGO (A GIFT VALUED AT THE TIME AT $375,000). LAFAYETTE GREENS IS A PRODUCTIVE URBAN GARDEN, WHICH LAST YEAR GENERATED HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF ORGANIC FRUITS, VEGETABLES, HERBS AND FLOWERS. EVERYTHING HARVESTED GOES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, EITHER TO THE VOLUNTEERS WHO CONTRIBUTE THEIR TIME TO HELP MAINTAIN THE SPACE, OR TO FOOD DISTRIBUTORS LIKE FORT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SHELTERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. LAFAYETTE GREENS ALSO HOSTS A WEEKLY MARKET DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. CLOSE TO SENIOR HOUSING AND THE ROSA PARKS TRANSIT CENTER, THE FARMERS MARKET AT LAFAYETTE GREENS SUPPLIES CITY RESIDENTS WITH A SOURCE FOR FRESH NUTRITIOUS FOOD. LAFAYETTE GREENS ALSO SERVES AS A TRAINING SPACE FOR YOUTH WHO PARTICIPATE IN OUR GREEN CORPS SUMMER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, PROVIDING DETROIT TEENS WITH HANDS-ON, EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FARMING ASSIGNMENTS THAT FOCUS ON THE CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES THAT ARE UNIQUE TO DETROIT'S URBAN ENVIRONMENT. YOUTH SUPPORT GROWING AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES AT LAFAYETTE GREENS, AND ALSO ASSIST WITH COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER EVENTS.TO DATE, LAFAYETTE GREENS HAS ATTRACTED OVER 21,000 VISITORS. AN ADDITIONAL 500-1,000 VISITORS COME BY WAY OF OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH DETROIT EXPERIENCE FACTORY, THEY PROVIDE WALKING TOURS FOR GROUPS THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN AND MIDTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS. THIS YEAR THEY INCLUDED LAFAYETTE GREENS AS A DESTINATION ON THE TOUR. WE AVERAGE ROUGHLY 50 TO 75 VISITORS PER DAY. FOLKS COME TO VISIT OF ALL AGES AND INCLUDE, SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN VISITING FROM LOCAL DETROIT AND METRO DETROIT SCHOOLS, BUSINESS COMMUNITY, SENIORS AND LOCAL FARMERS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING IN OUR GARDEN BEDS. FINALLY, THE GREENING HAS HELD 10 EVENTS IN LAFAYETTE GREENS. YOGA AT THE LAFAYETTE GREENS KICKED OFF IN JULY AND OFFERS A CALMING BEGINNER'S CLASS EVERY MONDAY. FINALLY, TREE PRUNING 101 TOOK PLACE EARLIER THIS SPRING WITH OUR CITIZEN FORESTERS.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020Source990No causes providedNo populations provided––
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