City Description
Rich in diversity, Detroit contains a notable network of peace and justice advocates and service providers. The Mercy presence is strong with a network of ministries, Sisters of Mercy, Associates, Companions, and MVC alumni. Mercy Volunteers live on the eastside of Detroit in close proximity to Belle Isle and Chandler Parks. Volunteers can expect to build rich relationships and grow to love the old motor city. There are extensive opportunities for arts and sports lovers, health and reading enthusiasts, and live entertainment fans.
Housing: house
Transportation: 2 cars
Number of Volunteers: 4
Service Site Descriptions
Detroit Cristo Rey High School
Mission: To provide excellent college-preparatory Catholic high school education, in the Cristo Rey model, to students from economically disadvantaged families in Detroit.
Detroit Cristo Rey High School is part of a national organization of Cristo Rey high schools that provides a powerful and innovative approach to career-focused and college-preparatory education that equips students from families of limited economic means with the knowledge, character, and skills to achieve their aspirations. The school integrates classroom experience with real-life work experience by partnering with businesses and corporations in metro Detroit. A volunteer is needed as a leader in campus ministry and assistant to the dean. This volunteer will have ongoing interactions with students and parents. Conversational Spanish would be a great asset but is not required.
Mercy Education Project
Mission Statement: To provide educational opportunities, life skills development, and cultural enrichment for women and girls who have limited access to resources to enable them to improve the quality of their lives.
Through personalized learning plans and socio-emotional learning enrichment, Mercy Education Project strives to provide women and girls with boundless opportunities and resources for education. A volunteer is needed to serve as the girls’ program specialist to support mealtime, reflections, craft activities, cultural enrichment, and STEAM activities. The volunteer will assist the girls’ program coordinator in providing intellectual, social, and self-esteem enriching programming for girls in grades 2-12. Conversational Spanish is helpful but not required.
Website: www.mercyed.net
Skills: Education, Tutoring, Activities Coordinator
St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center
Mission: To empower children, families and youth with hope.
St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center is a neighborhood hub and tight-knit, welcoming community that hosts a variety of services and programs for education, extracurricular activities, social service agencies, resource distribution, and community events. A volunteer is needed to serve as the assistant center manager and green programs coordinator. This role includes assisting guests and organizations with general information and specific needs and implementing community-based green infrastructure programming. The volunteer will build lasting relationships and engage the community through environmental education, projects, and on-site stormwater and/or gardening practices to improve creation care.
Website: www.stsuzannecodyrouge.org
Skills: Environment, Ecology, Community Development, Youth Programming
Titan Equity Nourish Network
Mission: To find solutions to challenges in the Detroit food system by engaging student passion and community wisdom. Community members and students work together to raise awareness, address immediate needs and engage in critical thinking about the systemic causes of these challenges.
At the University of Detroit Mercy, student volunteers of the Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) grow, harvest, and distribute food to the neighborhood community. TENN strives to engage the campus and surrounding community in food justice and sustainability initiatives. A volunteer is needed to serve as an assistant manager for food justice and sustainability, assisting in managing the program by coordinating sustainability efforts and events on campus, engaging student volunteers, and assisting in gardening and delivery activities.
Website: www.udmercy.edu/tenn
Skills: social service
Trinity Health Clinics
Mission: To serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities.
Connected to Trinity Health, three healthcare clinics seek to provide quality care to those who lack affordable insurance coverage and are economically disadvantaged. The clinics offer treatment, prevention, and education without charge, but with deep compassion and respect for the people they serve and their needs. Two volunteers are needed to support the daily operations of St. Frances Cabrini Clinic and SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic. At Cabrini Clinic, the volunteer will provide hospitality and manage front desk responsibilities, assist with patient intake and documentation, and organize events. At SAY Clinic, the volunteer will assist with healthcare administrative operations as well as work directly with patients on health improvement, connection to other local resources, and insurance enrollment. One day will be spent at Mercy Primary Care Center with administrative tasks and patient follow-up. Conversational Spanish or French is helpful but not required.
Website: www.cabriniclinic.org, www.mercyprimarycare.com, www.saydetroit.org
Skills: Healthcare, Administrative Support, Patient Care
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