We gain great satisfaction in providing pro bono work to non-profits in our community. It gives us an opportunity to “pay it forward,” and use our skills and expertise to improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work. The following are some of the non-profit organizations we have worked with in the past.

LIFE REMODELED

2010
In late 2010, we were contacted by a new non-profit, “Life Remodeled,” that wanted to capture the story behind the building of a home in a surrounding community. Similar to “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” in that it builds a house in 6 days, and “gives” it away to a deserving family on the seventh day, they were planning to do much more than that. It was also going ‘beautify’ the entire surrounding neighborhood, and fix up neighbor’s houses, too. The family was going to go through financial training and psychological counseling to help them ‘keep’ the house.

 

2011
So, in 2011, we spent some time the month before the ‘build week’ filming interviews the family members, capturing their counseling sessions, and following them to special activities Life Remodeled arranged for them (restaurants; doctor’s visit; hair styling appointment; birthday party; and weekend stay at a hotel with an indoor water park). Then we spent 10-12 hours a day during the ‘build week’ filming everything that was happening, since they were working 24 hours-per-day. We then spent a few hours daily for the next month, helping a team to edit a 45-minute “Reality TV” show pilot. The following is a video of selected ‘snippets’ of the pilot that premiered in an Emagine theater in June 2011.

“Reality TV” show premier trailer:

 

2012
In 2012, we provided media relations and video and photographic services to capture the four projects they completed. We also helped create “playbooks” (detailed “how-to” instructions for each area of the project) that they provided to the leaders of each project to guide them to a successful project.

PONTIAC, MICHIGAN:

 
HAZEL PARK, MICHIGAN:

 
FARMINGTON HILLS, MICHIGAN:

 
REDFORD, MICHIGAN:

 

2013
In 2013, we created an overview flyer, Powerpoint presentation, t-shirt artwork, press releases, signage, photographically captured the entire ‘build week’, and filmed the “reveal” telling the family they were selected to receive the house.

Although Life Remodeled only did this one project this year, it became the largest volunteer effort in one week in recent Detroit history—over 5,200 volunteers build a brand-new house, beautified 65 city blocks, renovated 36 neighborhood homes, and boarding up 253 vacant houses—again, all in six days! They received the “Spirit of Detroit” award from the Mayor for their efforts.

We coordinated a half-dozen professional photographers to capture the ‘build week’. Click the following link to see the over 5,000 pictures that were taken:

Life Remodeled: All 2013 Project Pictures
Click here to see the “reveal”

“PECHA-KUCHA” PRESENTATION ABOUT LIFE REMODELED
In addition to the work we recently completed for the “Detroit 2013” build, our President, Mark Besh, gave a “20 x 20″ presentation at the Volume #13 Pecha-Kucha Night in Detroit. It was about the previous five ‘builds’ we helped Life Remodeled with (i.e. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 2.0″).

[ Note: The format for Pecha-Kucha is 20 slides automatically changing every 20 seconds! (no ‘do-overs’ or ‘dawdling’ allowed!) ]. Click on the image below to see the presentation.

CLICK HERE TO SEE “PECHA-KUCHA” PRESENTATION ABOUT “LIFE REMODELED”

 

2014
In 2014, Life Remodeled wanted to try to ‘affect’ more people than just a single neighborhood, so they decided to ‘remodel’ a High School!

We were responsible for some of the media relations, the design and production of promotional materials, signage, banners, t-shirt graphics, social media channel headers, the posting TV and radio media coverage, and capturing the project photographically. Most of the graphics work was done before the ‘build week’, and most of the photography was done during the week-long ‘campaign’.

Life Remodeled’s goals were to build four “special” rooms at Cody High School, renovate 20 student houses (new roofs, new siding, replacing windows and stairs, etc.), board up 100 vacant houses, and “beautify” 100 city blocks (remove blight, trim trees, cut grass, plant flowers, etc.)—all in SIX DAYS! At their “seventh day” celebration, they noted that they exceeded all of their goals: More ‘renovations’ were done inside Cody than planned; they remodeled 25 student houses; boarded up 254 vacant houses; demolished three dangerous houses, and beautified 303 city blocks! This was an unbelievable effort performed by over 10,500 volunteers—the largest volunteer effort in recent Detroit history. They were also surprised with a $300,000 check to complete the new football field!

The following are selected photos that represent the over 7,000 photos we and a dozen professional photographers we coordinated took to capture all of the activities during the ‘build week’:

[ Life Remodeled: All 2014 Project Pictures ].

CODY HIGH SCHOOL – ENTRANCE (Before/After)

 
NEW “S.T.E.M.” ROOM AT CODY

 
NEW MOCK COURTROOM IN CODY

 
NEW MEDICAL LAB IN CODY

 
NEW HOME EC ROOM IN CODY

 
NEW TEACHERS LOUNGE IN CODY

 
NEW SMART PROJECTORS AT CODY

 
NEW GARDEN AT CODY

 
WINDOW REPAIRS AT CODY

 
ROOF REPAIRS AT CODY

 
NEW FOOTBALL FIELD AT CODY

 
THREE DANGEROUS HOUSES DEMOLISHED ACROSS FROM CODY

 
GRAFFITI REMOVED FROM BUILDINGS AROUND CODY

 
25 STUDENT HOUSES REMODELED

 
254 ‘BOARD UPS’ OF VACANT HOUSES

 
NEW MURAL AT HENDERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL

 
‘CLEAN UP’ AT HENDERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL

 
MANN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ‘BEAUTIFIED’

 
NEW MURAL IN STEIN PLAYGROUND

 
303 CITY BLOCKS OF ‘BLIGHT’ REMOVED

 

In addition to coordinating over a dozen professional photographers to capture the ‘build week’, we designed and produced a variety of promotional materials, signage, banners, t-shirt graphics, social media channel headers, and Powerpoint presentations:

 

The following links are for more information about the Cody-Rouge project in Detroit, Michigan:

VIDEOS
MEDIA COVERAGE
FACEBOOK PAGE

Here’s a trailer video of what they planned at Cody High School in 2014:

FYI: There was also a full-length documentary created, “Cody High: A Life Remodeled Project” It skillfully portrays the powerful stories of community members directly involved, and how their lives are being shaped as beacons of hope within the great city of Detroit. View the trailer below:

 

2015
In 2015, we spent an entire week (August 3-9, 2015) in Detroit—specifically in the Osborn High School area—to help, pro bono, the non-profit Life Remodeled with executing their planned “makeover” of Osborn High School and the surrounding neighborhood. We were responsible for the design and production of a promotional brochure and flyer, signage, banners, room plaques, appreciation certificates, t-shirt graphics, social media channel headers, the posting of TV and radio media coverage, capturing the project photographically, and filming interviews of volunteers (for the “Super Service Challenge”). Most of the graphics work was done before the ‘build week’, and most of the photography and filming was done during the week-long ‘campaign’.

Here’s a list of the project’s major accomplishments:
– Major Renovations at Osborn High School
(Roof; Gym; Cafeteria; Special rooms; Landscaping)
– 472 Vacant Houses Boarded Up
– 302 Blocks of Blight Removal
– 21 Student Houses Remodeled
– Beautification, Mural, and New Playscapes at Pulaski Elementary-Middle School
– 230 Planter Boxes along “Safe Routes” to Schools

The following are selected photos that represent the over 6,000 photos (click here to view) we, and a team of photographers we brought together, took to capture all of the activities during the ‘build week’:

OSBORN HIGH SCHOOL – ENTRANCE (Before/After)

 
NEW ROOF ON OSBORN SCHOOL

 
EXPANDED MAIN OFFICE IN OSBORN

 
NEW “iLAB” IN OSBORN

 
NEW COLLEGE PREP ROOM IN OSBORN

 
EXPANSION OF CAFETERIA IN OSBORN

 
NEW PARENT RESOURCE ROOM IN OSBORN

 
COURTYARD RENOVATION AT OSBORN

 
NEW GYM FLOOR/BLEACHERS IN OSBORN

 
NEW WALL MURAL FOR OSBORN GYM

 
472 DANGEROUS VACANT HOUSES BOARDED UP

 
302 CITY BLOCKS OF ‘BLIGHT’ REMOVED

 
21 STUDENT HOMES REMODELED

 
NEW PLAYSCAPES AT PULASKI

 
NEW PLAYGROUND MURAL AT PULASKI

 
INTERIOR CLEANUP/PAINTING IN PULASKI SCHOOL

 
“SAFE ROUTE” PLANTERS

 

DESIGN SERVICES
The following are examples of the graphic design work we provided:

The following links are for more information about the Osborn project in Detroit, Michigan:

PHOTOS
VIDEOS (Day Recaps)
MEDIA COVERAGE
FACEBOOK PAGE
Here’s a summary video about what was accomplished in the Osborn neighborhood in 2015:

Here’s the documentary that was done about what was accomplished in the Osborn neighborhood in 2015:

 

2016
In 2016, we spent an entire week (August 1-6, 2016) in Detroit—specifically in the Denby High School area—to help, pro bono, the non-profit Life Remodeled with executing their planned “remodeling” of the surrounding neighborhood. We were responsible for the design and production of promotional brochures and flyers, signage, banners, t-shirt graphics, social media channel graphics, website updates, capturing the project photographically, and filming interviews of volunteers ( for the “Super Service Challenge” ). Most of the graphics work was done before the ‘build week’, and most of the photography and filming was done during the week-long ‘campaign’.

Here’s a list of the project’s major accomplishments:
– Built a new park, adjacent to Denby High School
(Performance pavilion; Basketball courts; Volleyball courts; Pickleball court; Putting green; Horseshoes; Garden beds; Amenities; Landscaping)
– 362 Vacant Houses Boarded Up
– 303 Blocks of Blight Removal
– 80 Student Houses Repaired/Remodeled
– Art Mural on Community Recreation Center Building
– 125 Planter Boxes along “Safe Routes” to Schools

This was an unbelievable effort performed by over 10,700 volunteers—in just 6 days—and has been valued at over $5M!

The following are selected photos that represent the over 4,800 photos (click here to view) we, and a team of photographers, took to capture all of the activities during the ‘build week’:

SKINNER PARK (Before/After)

 

SKINNER PARK PAVILION

 

SKINNER PARK AMENITIES

 

VACANT HOUSE BOARD UPS (362 HOUSES)

 

REMOVAL OF ‘BLIGHT’ (303 CITY BLOCKS)

 

STUDENT HOUSES REMODELED (80)

 

ART MURAL AT RECREATION CENTER

 

“SAFE ROUTE” PLANTERS (125)

 

DESIGN SERVICES
The following are examples of the graphic design work we provided:

 

The following links are for more information about the Denby project in Detroit, Michigan:
PHOTOS
VOLUNTEER INTERVIEW VIDEOS
MEDIA COVERAGE
FACEBOOK PAGE

Here’s a few videos about what was accomplished in the Denby neighborhood in 2016:

 

2017
In 2017, we spent an entire week (July 31-August 5, 2017) in Detroit—specifically in the Central High School area—to help, pro bono, the non-profit Life Remodeled with executing their planned “remodeling” of the surrounding neighborhood. We were responsible for the design and production of promotional brochures and flyers, signage, banners, t-shirt graphics, social media channel graphics, website updates, capturing the project photographically. Most of the graphics work was done before the ‘build week’, and most of the photography and filming was done during the week-long ‘campaign’.

Here’s a list of the project’s major accomplishments:
– Began renovating and repurposing the former Durfee Elementary-Middle School building (adjacent to Central High School) into a ‘community center’ they are calling the “Durfee Innovation Society”
– 534 Vacant Houses Boarded Up
– 367 Blocks of Blight Removal
– 53 Student Houses Repaired/Remodeled
– Continuing to develop meaningful and sustainable partnerships to advance community investment after project completion

This was an unbelievable effort performed by over 11,000 volunteers—in just 6 days—and has been valued at over $5M!

The following are selected photos that represent the over 7,500 photos (click here to view) we, and a team of photographers, took to capture all of the activities during the ‘build week’:

DURFEE SCHOOL REPURPOSING

 

VACANT HOUSE BOARD UPS (534)

 

REMOVAL OF BLIGHT (367 CITY BLOCKS)

 

HOMES REPAIRED (53)

 

DESIGN SERVICES
The following are examples of the graphic design work we provided:

 

The following links are for more information about the Central project in Detroit, Michigan:
PHOTOS
MEDIA COVERAGE
NEWS
FACEBOOK PAGE

Here’s a few videos about what was accomplished in the Central neighborhood in 2017:

 

2018
In 2018, we spent an entire week (October 1-October 6, 2018) in Detroit again—specifically in the Central High School area—to help, pro bono, the non-profit Life Remodeled with executing their planned “remodeling” of the surrounding neighborhood. We were responsible for the design and production of promotional brochures and flyers, signage, banners, t-shirt graphics, social media channel graphics, website updates, capturing the project photographically. Most of the graphics work was done before the ‘build week’, and most of the photography and filming was done during the week-long ‘campaign’. Life Remodeled is continuing with this project, which they started in 2017—and also plan to work in the neighborhood for at least two more years.

Here’s a list of the project’s major accomplishments:
– Continued to renovate and repurpose the former Durfee Elementary-Middle School building (adjacent to Central High School) into a ‘community center’ they are calling the “Durfee Innovation Society”
– 396 Vacant Houses Boarded Up
– 316 Blocks of Blight Removal
– 102 Alleyways cleared
– Planted more than 700 trees, shrubs, and perennials
– Built 2 community gardens and upgraded 4 more
– Installed 20 “Little Free Libraries” along Safe Routes
– Designated the safest routes to Durfee and Central schools with artwork
– Installed 3 new bus shelters
– Installed 5 grills and picnic tables at neighborhood parks
– Installed 2 sets of bleachers for the Central High School softball field
– Added neighborhood signage
– Significantly improved Central High School’s football facilities and equipment (renovated the press box that had been vandalized, repaired the home bleachers and handicap ramps, installed a new scoreboard, and helped get new uniforms and equipment for the team and headsets for the coaches)
– Continuing to develop meaningful and sustainable partnerships to advance community investment after project completion

This was an unbelievable effort performed by over 10,000 volunteers—in just 6 days—and has been valued at over $5M!

The following are selected photos that represent the over 6,400 photos (click here to view) we, and a team of photographers, took to capture all of the activities during the ‘build week’:

DURFEE SCHOOL REPURPOSING

 

VACANT HOUSE BOARD UPS (396)

 

REMOVAL OF BLIGHT (316 CITY BLOCKS)

 

PLANTING VEGETATION

 

ALLEYWAYS CLEARED (102)

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

DESIGN SERVICES
The following are examples of the graphic design work we provided:

 

The following links are for more information about the Central project in Detroit, Michigan:
PHOTOS
MEDIA COVERAGE
NEWS
FACEBOOK PAGE

Here’s a few videos about what was accomplished in the Central neighborhood in 2017:

If you are also interested in more information or supporting this great non-profit, contact Mark Besh at Visual Impact Systems (248-548-7000), or click the link below to be taken to Life Remodeled’s website.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT LIFE REMODELED

 

2019
We spent an entire week (August 5-10, 2019) in Detroit—specifically in the Central High School area—to help, pro bono, the non-profit Life Remodeled with executing their planned “remodeling” of the surrounding neighborhood, and “repurpose” the previous Durfee Elementary-Middle School (now the “Durfee Innovation Society). We were responsible for the design and production of promotional brochures and flyers, signage, banners, t-shirt graphics, social media channel graphics, website updates, capturing the project photographically. Most of the graphics work was done before the ‘build week’, and most of the photography and filming was done during the week-long ‘campaign’.
Here’s a list of the project’s major accomplishments, that went beyond just blight removal:

– Cleared 257 blighted alleyways – Every one of them within a four-square-mile area surrounding the Durfee Innovation Society
– Many houses were boarded up to ensure the neighborhood’s safety
– Hosted a Youth Mentoring Summer Camp for 125 K-8 students
– Hosted a Basketball Camp for 37 middle and high school students led by the nationally renowned organization The Family
– Over 3,000 kids attended Family Fun Days with their families and enjoyed activities, entertainment (including a “Detroit Youth Choir” concert), carnival games, and the largest bounce house in the world
– Many projects were completed inside the Durfee Innovation Society – HVAC ducting; air conditioning unit ‘enclosures; lighting; painting; tiling; wood trimming; and general cleaning

This was an unbelievable effort performed by over 9,700 volunteers—in just 6 days—and has been valued at over $5M!

If you are interested, there are over 6,250 photos that we, and a team of photographers, took to capture all of the activities during the ‘build week’
(click here to view)

If you or your company are interested in more details about this project, visit the Life Remodeled web site: http://liferemodeled.com/

To see how we have been associated with Life Remodeled (from their very beginning), click this link: Visual Impact’s Pro Bono Work
DURFEE SCHOOL REPURPOSING

VACANT HOUSE BOARD UPS

REMOVAL OF BLIGHT

ALLEYWAYS CLEARED

NEW ROOFS

YOUTH SUMMER CAMP

BASKETBALL CAMP

FAMILY FUN DAYS

DETROIT YOUTH CHOIR

MISCELLANEOUS

DESIGN SERVICES
The following are examples of the graphic design work we provided:

The following links are for more information about the Central/Durfee project in Detroit, Michigan:
PHOTOS
MEDIA COVERAGE
NEWS
FACEBOOK PAGE

Here are a few videos about the 2019 project:

 

If you are also interested in more information or supporting this great non-profit, contact Mark Besh at Visual Impact Systems (248-548-7000), or click the link below to be taken to Life Remodeled’s website.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT LIFE REMODELED

 

2020
We spent an entire week (October 5-10, 2020) in Detroit—specifically in the Central High School area—to help, pro bono, the non-profit Life Remodeled with executing their planned “remodeling” of the surrounding neighborhood, and “repurpose” the previous Durfee Elementary-Middle School (now the “Durfee Innovation Society). We were responsible for the design and production of promotional brochures and flyers, signage, banners, t-shirt graphics, social media channel graphics, website updates, and capturing the project photographically. Most of the graphics work was done before the ‘build week’, and most of the photography and filming were done during the week-long ‘campaign’.

In response to COVID-19, we had to change the way we organized our 2020 Six Day Project.

Life Remodeled has been organizing Six-Day Projects for 10 straight years, and every single one has been unique and powerful—and even though, because of social distancing, this project week was ALSO exception: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to mobilize 2,021 awesome volunteers to remove the blight on 71 blocks, make improvements to the Durfee Innovation Society, and revitalize a broken-down playscape.

Ninety-nine percent of their volunteers said that their pandemic safety measures helped them feel safe from COVID-19 while volunteering. During a time in our country’s history when we are experiencing extreme polarization, 99% of their volunteers also said they felt a greater sense of connectedness with others during the project.

Not only is blight psychologically damaging to children and families who have to look at it, but it plays a significant factor in crime rates. Because the City of Detroit had to make substantial budget cuts in 2020, the blight removal effort from Life Remodeled’s passionate and hard-working volunteers was ven MORE NEEDED and much appreciated by Mayor Duggan.

Thanks to Patronicity, the MEDC, and the 43 donors who helped crowdfund this campaign, they raised $21,558 in less than 24 hours to purchase much-needed equipment and supplies to bring a playscape back to life again. A crew of amazing volunteers from FCA completed the renovation in only four days, and the Life Remodeled Community Advisory Council and students from Durfee Elementary dedicated it as the “John R. Lewis Playscape.”

If you are interested, there are over 5,600 photos that we, and a team of photographers, took to capture all of the activities during the ‘build week’
(click here to view)

If you or your company are interested in more details about this project, visit the Life Remodeled website: http://liferemodeled.org/

To see how we have been associated with Life Remodeled (from their very beginning), click this link: Visual Impact’s Pro Bono Work

 

DESIGN SERVICES
The following are examples of the graphic design work we provided:

 

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY
Here are some ‘creative’ pics our photographers took during the week to capture the amazing work the volunteers did.

[ I was ‘caught’ out in the field capturing the fabulous volunteers ]

 

The following links are for more information about the Central/Durfee project in Detroit, Michigan:
PHOTOS
NEWS and MEDIA COVERAGE
FACEBOOK PAGE

Here is a video that FOX 2 News (Detroit) did about the 2020 project:

[ Note: There are also other videos of the 2020 project on Life Remodeled’s YouTube Channel ]

If you are also interested in more information or supporting this great non-profit, contact Mark Besh at Visual Impact Systems (248-548-7000), or click the link below to be taken to Life Remodeled’s website.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT LIFE REMODELED

 

2021
We spent an entire week (October 4-9, 2021) in Detroit—specifically in the Central High School area—to help, pro bono, the non-profit Life Remodeled with executing their planned “remodeling” of the surrounding neighborhood, and “repurpose” the previous Durfee Elementary-Middle School (now the “Durfee Innovation Society“). We were responsible for a variety of graphic design and capturing the project photographically. Most of the graphics work was done before the ‘build week’, and most of the photography and filming was done during the week-long ‘campaign’.

Their 2021 “Six-Day Project“ focused on clearing blight from the front yards of vacant properties and ‘deforesting’ alleys within a specific 150 block area within the four square miles of neighborhoods surrounding the Durfee Innovation Society (next to Central High School). All of this happened with an army of 3,822 volunteers from 173 businesses, churches, and other organizations.

 
Detroit once housed more than 1.8 million people. However, now with only 650,000 residents, there are a lot of vacant lands—thousands of acres of overgrown brush and weeds making certain areas not only visually depressing but are also more dangerous.

The City of Detroit’s blight removal program is second to none, however, it is just not possible for vacant properties to be maintained weekly at this time in our city’s history. They need the help of volunteers to continue investing in the neighborhoods surrounding the one-stop-shop of opportunity (the “Durfee Innovation Society”) that Life Remodeled has created.

In addition to beautifying the neighborhood, the Six-Day Project brings people from all walks of life to work together, helping them better understand each other. This was verified by a survey of volunteers after last year’s (2020) Project: 99% of volunteers felt a greater sense of ‘connectedness during the Project. We are very honored to help, pro bono, this awesome nonprofit organization!

 
If you are interested, there are over 5,000 photos that we, and a team of photographers, took to capture all of the activities during the ‘build week’
(click here to view)

If you or your company are interested in more details about this project, visit the Life Remodeled website: http://liferemodeled.org/

To see how we have been associated with Life Remodeled (from their very beginning), click this link: Visual Impact’s Pro Bono Work

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY
Here are some ‘creative’ pics our photographers took during the week to capture the amazing work the volunteers did.

[ 300 ‘mature’ trees (4′-5′ high) were given away to the residents in the neighborhood to plant in front of their houses by “The Greening of Detroit” the weekend before the Six-Day Project. ]

 

[ I was ‘caught’ out in the field capturing the fabulous volunteers ]

 

[ Click here to see the 5,000+ images that were taken during the Six-Day Project week. ]

 

The following links are for more information about the Central/Durfee project in Detroit, Michigan:
PHOTOS
NEWS and MEDIA COVERAGE
FACEBOOK PAGE

Here is a video that WXYZ (Detroit) did about Life Remodeled:

Take a tour of the Durfee Innovation Society (DIS):

How does the Durfee Innovation Society ‘measure up’? Well, click here for some statistics.

Paul W Smith interview with Life Remodeled CEO Chris Lambert:

CW50 feature about Life Remodeled’s”Lean on We” campaign:

Summary video of the 2021 Siv-Day Project:

 
[ Note: There are also other videos of the 2021 project on Life Remodeled’s YouTube Channel ]

If you are also interested in more information or supporting this great non-profit, contact Mark Besh at Visual Impact Systems (248-548-7000), or click the link below to be taken to Life Remodeled’s website.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT LIFE REMODELED

 

2022
We spent an entire week (October 2-8, 2022) in Detroit—specifically in the Cooley High School area—to help, pro bono, the non-profit Life Remodeled with executing their planned week-long project to “remodel” the surrounding neighborhood. We were responsible for some graphic design and capturing the project photographically. Most of the graphics work was done before the ‘build week’, and most of the photography was done during the week-long ‘campaign’.

Their 2022 “Six-Day Project“ focused on clearing blight from vacant properties and beautifying many of the homes in over 300 city blocks around the school. All of this happened with an army of 6,000 volunteers from businesses, churches, and other nonprofit organizations.

COOLEY HIGH SCHOOL/NEIGHBORHOOD
In December 2020, Life Remodeled publicly announced their intent to transform the Cooley High School into their next “Opportunity Hub.” After nearly two years of listening and sharing, they have heard clearly what many Cooley residents desire to be done with the High School. After that, they received invitations from hundreds of Cooley residents and alumni—indicating strong unity in the community—who are ready for Life Remodeled to join the Cooley Community in a ‘partnership’.

Life Remodeled received survey responses and petition signatures from more than 1,000 Cooley residents and alumni, and more than 30 letters of support from key Cooley community leaders and several of Detroit’s most influential civic leaders, who say they are ready for Life Remodeled to begin the repurposing Additionally, Life Remodeled has signed Letter Of Intent agreements with nine dynamic organizations who have committed to leasing more than 80% of the building and deliver impactful opportunities directly requested by Cooley community members.

So, on November 10, 2021, they announced their ‘official’ desire and proposed a detailed plan to develop Cooley High School with nearly 150 Cooley community members, alumni, and Life Remodeled partners from Durfee/Central, Cody, Osborn, and Denby communities present.

[ VIDEO: Public Presentation of Life Remodeled’s Plans for Cooley High School ]

Life Remodeled’s goal is to ‘TRANSFORM’ Cooley High School into an “Opportunity Hub” for Detroiters of ALL ages. It would be similar to their current Durfee Innovation Society, but would be adapted to the ideas, hopes, and dreams of Cooley community residents and alumni.

[ Life Remodeled’s Proposed ‘Transformation’ of Cooley High School ]

Additionally, Life Remodeled desires to provide five years of neighborhood beautification, blight removal and free home repairs. (As Life Remodeled has done in projects prior to Central/Durfee, the home repairs include the choice of a new roof, new windows, or new furnace.)

The thing is, Cooley High School has been sitting vacant and rotting since 2010. The windows and much of the copper have been ripped out, there was a fire that decimated the auditorium, and there are substantial active roof leaks that are on the verge of destroying the very foundation of this building beyond repair if they are not repaired soon.

Now, even though all of this—and much more—is true, the ‘legacy’ of Cooley High School does not have to be over. Life Remodeled wants to have an opportunity to put this facility to use—in ways community members want—before it IS too late!

EXHIBITING ‘EARNESTNESS’
To ‘prove’ how serious Life Remodeled is in serving the Cooley community and its residents, they had their annual “Six Day Project” in the neighborhood October 3-8, 2022. They had 6,000 volunteers—consciously limited to 1,000 per day—to help with blight removal and beautification.

In addition to the ‘normal’ activities—mowing and trimming overgrown brush and weeds on vacant properties—they provided free lawn care services for Cooley community residents. (Specifically, they mowed over 400 lawns of seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities). This greatly increased the level of interaction between community residents, Life Remodeled staff, and their volunteers who live outside the Cooley community.

To add some exciting elements to make it the most interactive Six Day Project they had ever done, they provided a limited number of homes near Cooley High School with increased services to upgrade their curb appeal, which included removing unwanted bushes, and painting house numbers on curbs.

One VERY unique thing they did—something Life Remodeled had never done before—was to put a freshly-potted mum plant on each porch of the houses in the areas where the beautifications were happening in. There were OVER 2,000 plants provided to the neighborhood and a few churches.

MUM PLANT DELIVERIES

[ Mum Pot Creation ]

[ Mums Donor ]

[ Mums Delivery Team ]

[ Mums Deliveries ]

[ Mums Deliveries ]

AMAZON DONATION
The $150,000 donation that Amazon made will support youth programming at the Durfee Innovation Society and support community programs and events for Detroit neighborhood organizations. These neighborhood organizations include:

– University District Community Association
– Calvary Community Association
– College Park Community Association
– Oakland Boulevard Community District
– Core Cities Neighborhood
– Patty Turner Community Partner
– STV 313 Neighborhood Safety
– Happy Homes Community Association
– Palmer Woods Association

Ian Conyers, Head of Community Engagement at Amazon, said that “Life Remodeled has been dedicated to strengthening our communities block by block. Amazon believes Life Remodeled has created a scalable revitalization strategy, and we are proud to support their efforts hand in hand with donations to Detroit block clubs and neighborhood-focused organizations.”

In addition to the generous donation, Amazon’s representatives will also install 100 “Ring” doorbells on residents’ houses—closest to Cooley High School—that desire to have them. (Mayor Mike Duggan stopped by the first home to get a device, the Coyle Avenue residence of Francis Rowland.)

AMAZON “RING” INSTALLATIONS

[ Amazon “Ring” Installation – Detroit Mayor Duggan With Resident ]

[ Amazon “Ring” Installation – First Home ]

Krystine Walker’s home was one of the 100 installations that happened. Walker said the majority of her neighbors on Lauder Street already have the device, so she is happy to finally have one too.

“This is cool, because I couldn’t figure out how to do it myself, so I sent it back. “I was going to get one… I couldn’t figure out the drilling, so this is awesome everyone else seems to have one.”

[ Amazon Ring Installation in Krystine Walker’s house by Katrina Jadzinski, a volunteer from Thornton & Grooms ]

[ Amazon “Ring” Installation ]

[ Amazon “Ring” Installation ]

[ Amazon “Ring” Installation ]

[ Amazon “Ring” Installation ]

The Life Remodeled team believes the donated Ring devices will help bring peace of mind and support neighborhood safety in the Cooley community.

Chris Lambert, Founder and CEO of Life Remodeled said that “Blighted vacant properties are visually depressing eyesores, and they can also contribute to unsafe pathways for students walking to school and other neighborhood safety concerns. Installing the Ring doorbells was an idea presented to us by community members, and we are glad to be able to provide this benefit to the community with Amazon’s help.”

The property development company Schostak Brothers & Company also donated a generous $100,000 in honor of their company’s 100-year anniversary. Many of their employees also were out in the neighborhood clearing blight and beautifying the area.

SUBSTANTIAL DONOR

[ Message from CEO Bobby Schostak ]

[ David Schostak and team participating in the beautification ]

Chris Lambert emphasized that “I’m convinced our 2022 Six Day Project last week was our best yet!” He gave three reasons why:

1) We received strong positive feedback from more community members than ever before.

2) Our long-term volunteers who’ve served on the Life Remodeled Six Day Project regularly since 2014 repeatedly told me the Cooley community was the most engaged and embracing Detroit community in which they’ve volunteered.

3) Ms. Frances Roland has lived in the Cooley community for more than half a century, and she used to regularly walk the Cooley High School track for exercise. Last week we cleared a massive amount of brush from the property, and on Day 2 of the project, we witnessed Ms. Roland walking around the gravel Cooley track. She proudly proclaimed this was the first time she’s graced this path in 12 years because now she finally feels safe again.

VOLUNTEER ACTION

 
[ I was caught out in the ‘field’ capturing the wonderful volunteers ]

 
MEDIA COVERAGE
Lastly, check out some of the media coverage that Life Remodeled received during the Six Day Project in the Cooley neighborhood:

[ Fox 2 News / Life Remodeled in Cooley w/ Ilitch Charities ]

[ Fox 2 News / Life Remodeled Cooley w/ Amazon Ring Doorbells ]

[ WDIV Story / Life Remodeled Cooley Community ]

[ WXYZ Channel 7 Story / Life Remodeled: Cooley Community ]

DESIGN SERVICES
The following are a few examples of the graphic design work we provided:

 

[ NOTE: See almost 4,500 pics of the volunteers and what they did on the Six-Day Project here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/liferemodeled2022/albums ]

 

PREVIOUS PROJECT
The following links are for more information about the previous project Life Remodeled just finished (Central/Durfee project in Detroit, Michigan):
PHOTOS
NEWS and MEDIA COVERAGE
FACEBOOK PAGE

Here is a video that WXYZ (Detroit) did about Life Remodeled:

Take a tour of the Durfee Innovation Society (DIS):

How does the Durfee Innovation Society ‘measure up’? Well, click here for some statistics.

Paul W Smith interview with Life Remodeled CEO Chris Lambert:

CW50 feature about Life Remodeled’s”Lean on We” campaign:

Summary video of the 2021 Siv-Day Project:

 
If you are also interested in more information or supporting this great non-profit, contact Mark Besh at Visual Impact Systems (248-548-7000), or click the link below to be taken to Life Remodeled’s website.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT LIFE REMODELED