  Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 906 Registered: 11-2004 |
Revival revs on Seven Mile Group helps area thrive by bringing needed resources in Gregg Krupa / The Detroit News DETROIT -- When Virgil Phillips moved to a neighborhood along Seven Mile just south of the State Fairgrounds in 1969, the amalgam of black and white residents, good schools and recreation facilities were what he idealized for his family. Almost immediately, the neighborhood began to decline. But Phillips says he noted how a community of immigrants and especially one of their organizations, the Arab-American Chaldean Council stood its ground, establishing essential services where crack dealers and prostitute once did their business. "If it was not for the ACC, Seven Mile would be a dangerous hot spot," he said. "You wouldn't see anything open for the kids. The ACC is a pillar for that, right now. They have not deserted this area." In a neighborhood that for 40 years needed a big hug from Metro Detroiters, Chaldeans and Arab-Americans are escalating their work this week. Today, the ACC breaks ground on a $2.2 million Artisan and Adult Learning Center and commemorates the grand opening of the ACC-Wayne County Behavioral Health Network Clubhouse, a facility for people who are mentally ill. The new additions to revitalization efforts that began in 1995 will provide much-needed health, recreation, education and cultural programs for the large African-American and smaller immigrant communities in the neighborhood, according to officials and residents. "We share, so we can care," said Phillips, who is the recreation coordinator at the $3.8 million ACC Youth Leadership & Education Center, which was completed a few years ago. While many of the Chaldeans and Arab-Americans moved to Oakland and Macomb counties from the neighborhood along Seven Mile, some also return to help boost the area -- the original settlement for the largest population of the Iraqi Christians outside of Iraq. They have launched and sustained a revitalization that provides hope in a part of the impoverished, boarded-up city where few thought hope could survive. "I am really pleased to see the growth and development," said Glenda Price, a former president of Marygrove College, who lives in the neighborhood. Vision goes beyond centers Beyond the two new centers, the ambition is to continue the campaign with upgrades to the so-called streetscape along Seven Mile and to develop new housing. "It's our commitment to serve the neighborhood and everyone in the neighborhood, no matter what their background is," said Bob Ghannam, special projects director for the ACC. "We committed ourselves and our resources to go where other people won't go." Most of the construction and services are paid for by funds raised from private donors, major corporate donors, foundations, charities and government programs. The current investment of goods and services in the area tallies well over $10 million. Many working and living in the area credit Haifa Fakhouri, president of the ACC, with providing the vision. "When everyone was leaving Detroit I said, 'We have to stay in Detroit,' " Fakhouri said. "We have to improve the neighborhood and give the community a chance to grow." "More than 300 youths are engaging in the youth facilities," she said. Crossing cultural barriers The experience of African-Americans, Chaldeans and Arab-Americans living together has not been without strain, including cultural barriers that sometimes make routine communication in local businesses problematic and disputes over the quality of goods sold by some shop owners are long-standing. Regardless, the revitalization continues. "It's a wonderful story to be told," said Matt Allen, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's spokesman. "In the last few years they have made substantial efforts to rebuild and redevelop that neighborhood and in the most African-American city in the country we are seeing new immigrants' stories and new tales from an ethnic melting pot being told. It is obviously welcomed by the city." As she clicked away at one of a bank of computers in the youth center, where students often receive help with homework and preparation for college entrance examinations, Destiney Mohammed, 13, imagined what life would be like in her neighborhood without the center. "Basically, what we're getting out of this program is that usually kids on the streets don't know anything, and they are getting in trouble and stuff," Destiney said. "It's a place where you can go and learn and stay out of trouble." http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.d ll/article?AID=/20070726/METRO /707260432/1003 | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 2323 Registered: 07-2004 |
The media trys to promote this area as up and coming but there's nothing there that would make me want to hang out there or shop there. This area is nothing like Warren Avenue, which is a very viable strip in Dearborn as well as Detroit. What's the reason for the difference between the two locations? Does it have to do with the people living in the areas? Warren Avenue appears to be developed by well-to-do Arabs while Seven Mile/Woodward is where poor Chaldeans live, who have little money to fix up this area with restaurants and shops. Am I correct in my assessment or am I missing something? | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 6284 Registered: 02-2004 |
YAY CHALDEANTOWN RISES! | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9692 Registered: 12-2003 |
Islam forbids charging interest on loans. They make it quite easy to get INTO business, with family and friends helping. | ||
Apbest Member Username: Apbest Post Number: 593 Registered: 03-2006 |
Chaldean's are not muslim they're catholic btw, catholics are also not allowed to bank for profit (ie charge interest), that's why jews were heavily relied on for usury in the 12th and 13th centuries in places like England before they were booted so I guess your basic point still stands? (Message edited by apbest on July 28, 2007) (Message edited by apbest on July 28, 2007) (Message edited by apbest on July 28, 2007) (Message edited by apbest on July 28, 2007) | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9693 Registered: 12-2003 |
No shit. My basic point is W. Warren thrives due to available development cash and a neighborhood that supports local businesses with investment money and spending cash. So far, the Chaldeans have the neighborhood part down...it'll get as good as W. Warren when the investment money doesn't have to answer to banks that don't know the area or the people within it. | ||
Rugbyman Member Username: Rugbyman Post Number: 113 Registered: 06-2005 |
Not that it applies to the Chaldeans (being Catholic), but Islamic Banks get around the usury ban by charging various "handling fees" that sort of mimic the return straight interest brings. It should also be noted all of the banks require oversight by Imams to ensure they're keeping in line with Islamic tenets. I just heard a thing on NPR not too long ago that the model is extremely successful and may branch out beyond the Muslim world in the not-so-distant future. |
