September 30, 2024

We spent an entire week (September 23-28, 2024) in Detroit—specifically in the Denby neighborhood—to help, pro bono, the non-profit Life Remodeled with executing their planned week-long project to “remodel” the surrounding neighborhood to their new “Opportunity Hub” project, “Anchor Detroit.” We were responsible for some graphic design and capturing the project photographically. Most of the graphics work was done before the ‘project week’, and most of the photography was done during the week-long ‘campaign’ in the neighborhood.

Their 2024 “Six-Day Project“ focused on clearing blight from vacant properties and beautifying many of the homes around a previous charter school. All of this happened with an army of over 5,000 volunteers (158 volunteer groups) who did the following:

– 283 City Blocks Beautified
– 1,100 Cubic Yards of Trash and 990 Cubic Yards Of Brush Cleared
(That’s about 840 pickup truckloads of debris)
– 353 Tires Recycled
(Which, stacked up on top of one another, would make them almost as tall as the Eiffel Tower!)
– 100 “Ring” Doorbells Donated By Amazon (Many installations happened during the week)

PREVIOUS TO THIS ‘PROJECT’
So, since Life Remodeled’s work in their previous project the “Durfee Innovation Society” in the Central High School neighborhood was essentially done in 2021, they started to look for another vacant school to transform into a ‘community center’. They chose Cooley High School, which had been vacant for over 10 years.

However, even after they had worked with community groups in the neighborhood for over three years—performing a Six Day Project in the area in 2022—remarkably, the DPSCD Board rejected all of Life Remodeled’s offers. Despite fervent pleas from neighbors and alumni, the DPSCD Board, without a public vote or discussion, denied their collective efforts to transform Cooley in the ways the community wished.

[ NOTE: Even after the denial from DPSCD, Life Remodeled still completed their second Six Day Project in the Cooley neighborhood in 2023 (Scroll down to “2023”):
https://visualimpactsystems.com/pro-bono-work/ ]

So, after all that effort, Life Remodeled did not have a new project to start in 2024. They then had to start a new search for another opportunity in a different area of Detroit where they could ‘bring to life’ a community’s vision for their neighborhood in a way that was compatible with their expertise and abilities—and an opportunity ‘fell into their lap’ just a few months after they started their search!

They announced plans to acquire a 7.55-acre site in the Denby neighborhood on Detroit’s east side, which had been the site of the “Winans Academy of Performing Arts” (previously the home of the “Dominican High School” from 1940 to 1997).

At their on-site press conference—on July 11, 2023—Life Remodeled’s founder and CEO, Chris Lambert, said, “Denby is the ideal location for our first hub on the east side. It is a neighborhood that is engaged, invested, and close to the heart and soul of Life Remodeled. In 2016, we partnered with students and community leaders for one year to work toward revitalization together. This new hub will continue that commitment in ways that will make a broader and deeper impact for the long-term.”

The thing is, this is kind of a ‘homecoming’ since Life Remodeled partnered with the Denby community in 2016 to bring to life a vision of a park next door to the Denby High School. They worked with Denby High School students to enhance “Skinner Park,” and volunteers removed blight on 303 blocks and boarded up 362 vacant houses.

[ FYI: For more details about the original Six Day Project Life Remodeled did in the Denby neighborhood, view our previous post (Scroll down to “2016”):
https://visualimpactsystems.com/pro-bono-work/ ]

‘REPLICATING’ DIS’s SUCCESS
Life Remodeled CEO Chris Lambert was asked a few years ago where he would like to put the next Opportunity Hub. Without hesitating, he mentioned the Denby neighborhood:

“Our model is limited. It only works if there is a large vacant school building already there in the community. New construction is not affordable, and there’s a bunch of vacant schools in Detroit that need to be repurposed… Many of you know we invested in this neighborhood in 2016 it is an honor it is a privilege to be back home in the Denby Yorkshire Woods communities.”

So, the new “Opportunity Hub” in the Denby neighborhood will be very similar to Life Remodeled’s DIS on the west side, offering after-school programs, community resources, and health services. However, Life Remodeled also said that they will continue the tradition of the Winans Academy by providing arts and culture programming.

Life Remodeled will raise funds via philanthropy to complete the needed work on the building and property but has not yet finalized its financial requirements. This project will create life-transforming access to educational youth programs, workforce development initiatives, health and wellness services, and more.

[ FYI: Life Remodeled Press Conference Announcing Purchase of the Marvin Winans Academy of Performing Arts (11 JUL 23):
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPE7wYA_sFA ]

At this time, Life Remodeled plans to develop the “Anchor Detroit” project for at least the next few years. While there is no ‘official’ opening date for the ‘Hub’ yet, Life Remodeled has said it plans to have the facility reach near full capacity by the end of 2025. (At least 50,000 square feet—of the building’s 87,000 square feet—is expected to be leased by nonprofit partners, who will offer afterschool youth programs, workforce development initiatives, and health and wellness resources to the community.)

AN OPPORTUNITY TO ‘REPURPOSE’
Just a month after Life Remodeled’s proposal to turn the former Cooley High School into an “Opportunity Hub” was rejected by the Detroit Public Schools Community District, the organization found another home for its project on Detroit’s east side—in the Denby High School neighborhood.

[ PHOTO: Winans Academy of Performing Arts – Logo ]

During Life Remodeled’s on-site press conference (on July 11, 2023) to announce their new multi-year project—the repurposing of the previous Winans Academy of Performing Arts—Sandra Turner-Handy, the president of the Denby Neighborhood Alliance said:

“Thank you, Life Remodeled, for coming back to support the work of transforming our community through raising the quality of life for our residents. The residents and businesses are invested in continuing the amazing work started with Life Remodeled years ago. We are honored to welcome and continue to support through actively working with Life Remodeled in planning and designing what will become a vital and much-needed resource space in our community.”

Life Remodeled’s founder and CEO, Chris Lambert, then said: “Denby is the ideal location for our first hub on the east side. It is a neighborhood that is engaged, invested, and close to the heart and soul of Life Remodeled. In 2016, we partnered with students and community leaders for one year to work toward revitalization together. This new hub will continue that commitment in ways that will make a broader and deeper impact for the long-term.”

The thing is, this is kind of a ‘homecoming’ for Life Remodeled since they partnered with the Denby community in 2016 to bring to life a vision of a park next door to the Denby High School. They worked with Denby High School students to enhance “Skinner Park,” and volunteers removed blight on 303 blocks and boarded up 362 vacant houses.

[ FYI: For more details about the original Six Day Project Life Remodeled did in the Denby neighborhood, view our previous post (Scroll down to “2016”):
https://visualimpactsystems.com/pro-bono-work/ ]

Kenzie Current, a business liaison for the city’s District 4, said, during a building tour after the formal press conference ended: “This is huge for Whittier and for the Denby [Neighborhood] Alliance. It’s a lot of great things coming this way, and I’m excited to have been a part of such a passionate community and business community.”

One of the residents in attendance for the press conference was Norma Danzie, a 69-year-old member of the Denby Neighborhood Alliance who has lived in the community for the past 25 years. Danzie said she had worked with Life Remodeled in 2016 and is glad to have them back in the neighborhood: “When they were at Durfee, they remodeled and did all kinds of things with that building. The kids in this neighborhood really need a place that’s close. We don’t have a recreation center in this immediate area, and I’m hoping that there’ll be chances for them to get into different activities and keep them busy and occupied.”

Alonzo Marable, 56, who also worked with Life Remodeled in the past—volunteering with cleanup projects in Cody Rogue, Denby, Osborn, and Durfee—grew up in the neighborhood, graduated from Denby High School, and opened his business, “Ultimate Party Supply and Rental,” on Whittier Avenue. He commented, “I’ve seen the work that they’ve done, and I believe in them.” Marable hopes the new hub will bring the community back to the way it used to be when he was a child.

At the end of the conference, Lambert said that Life Remodeled will coordinate with the vision for the Denby Neighborhood Alliance and will create an Opportunity Hub that will be similar to Life Remodeled’s “Durfee Innovation Society” on the west side, offering after-school programs, community resources, and health services. Life Remodeled said that they will also continue the tradition of the Winans Academy by providing arts and culture programming in the center.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
The 7.55-acre site, located at 9740 McKinney Street, has served the Denby community for decades. The space was the former home of Dominican High School and was in operation from 1940 to 1997. Marvin Winans, a pastor and gospel artist, then moved into the site in 1997 and founded his Academy of Performance Arts.

After the proposal to DPSCD for Cooley High School fell through for Life Remodeled, Winans reached out to Life Remodeled, telling them he had closed his Academy and would be interested in talking to them about repurposing the building. Both parties felt, very quickly, that this would be a great opportunity for both of them, and Life Remodeled then purchased the school.

Chris Lambert, Founder and CEO of Life Remodeled, told his team, “When Pastor Winans reached out and told me the address of this location, immediately, my heart started beating before I even saw what the building looked like because of the address, because of the Denby community.”

This new “Opportunity Hub” will be similar to Life Remodeled’s “Durfee Innovation Society” on the west side, offering after-school programs, community resources, and health services. Brandi Haggins, Vice President of Opportunity Hubs for Life Remodeled, said that they will also continue the tradition of the Winans Academy by providing arts and culture programming: “As we talk to the community, we’re reaching out to different partners to try to recruit them into the building. So, we want to make sure that we’re bringing in what the community actually wants to see.”

Haggins said while the Academy kept the building in good condition, Life Remodeled is planning to renovate, add an addition, and add its ‘style’ to the building. There is no opening date for the hub yet, but Life Remodeled plans to have the facility reach near full capacity by the end of 2025. The building is more than 87,000 square feet, and at least 50,000 square feet is expected to be leased by nonprofit partners to bring afterschool youth programs, workforce development programs, and health and wellness resources to the Denby community.

Stepha’N Quicksey, Life Remodeled’s Community Engagement Director, said, “We currently have an Opportunity Hub on the west side of Detroit—the “Durfee Innovation Society”—that we’ve been operating since 2017. We served nearly 30,000 Detroiters there, so we’re very happy to be moving to the east side of Detroit to replicate that model of an Opportunity Hub.”

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Proposed Development – Front Aerial View ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Proposed Development – Side Aerial View ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Proposed Development – Addition ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Proposed Development – Amenities ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Proposed Development – New Back Entrance ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Proposed Development – New Front Entrance ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Refurbished Auditorium ]

Sandra Turner-Handy, the president of the Denby Neighborhood Alliance, told CBS Detroit News what “Anchor Detroit” will mean for their community:

[ VIDEO: “CBS Detroit Coverage, Community to Name New Eastside Opportunity Hub” ]

‘NAMING’ NEW OPPORTUNITY HUB
So, the first thing Life Remodeled did to get the community involved—part of its commitment to inclusive community engagement—Life Remodeled established a website to allow those with a vested interest in the nearby area—anyone who lives, learns, works, or worships in the neighborhoods near the future community hub—to select its name. (Life Remodeled also invited alumni of the Winans Academy of Performing Arts and Dominican High School to participate, too.)

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled’s Campaign To Name Their New Opportunity Hub, “Name That Building” ]

After ‘sifting’ through all of the submissions, the following three had the most interest:

– “Anchor Detroit”
Inspired by the iconic anchor in the Denby Tars logo of Denby High School, Anchor Detroit represents stability, resilience, hope, and strength for the Denby neighborhood and the city of Detroit at large.

– “The Whit”
The Whit is short for Whittier Avenue, the street on which Life Remodeled’s new Opportunity Hub is located. Whittier Avenue was named after John Greenleaf Whittier, an advocate for the abolition of slavery in the United States.

– “Whittier Pointe”
Located just a few miles away from the affluent Grosse Pointe community, Whittier Pointe represents pride and hope in a thriving, prosperous future for the Denby community. It also speaks to the potential to foster a stronger relationship between the two communities and promote equity and unity.

Then, after a month, after more than 500 community ‘stakeholders’ participated in this campaign—including students, educators, residents, business owners, and faith leaders—“Anchor Detroit” was, by far, the favorite name for the new Opportunity Hub.

Brandi Haggins, Vice President of Opportunity Hubs for Life Remodeled, said, “We understand that involving the community not only fosters unity but also instills a deep sense of ownership and pride, as residents actively contribute to the positive impact that ‘Anchor Detroit’ will bring to their neighborhood in the coming years.”

So, since Life Remodeled plans the facility to reach near full capacity by the end of 2025, as with all of their previous projects, they started planning a “Six Day Project” to beautify multiple hundreds of blocks surrounding the center and to start cleaning up the building and its surrounding grounds.

“SIX DAY PROJECT”
So, to show the Denby community how ‘serious’ Life Remodeled is about transforming the neighborhood, they—as has been done in all of their previous projects—organized a “Six Day Project” to remove blight and beautify a 2-1/2 square mile area around the new building, and also to start the repurposing of the building, too.

[ GRAPHIC: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Area Map ]

Life Remodeled’s Stepha’N Quicksey said, “We’re coming together to beautify the neighborhoods so that we can contribute to everybody living in a safe, comfortable, clean neighborhood.”

The team behind Life Remodeled plans to ‘touch’ seven of the 20 neighborhoods that surround the Hub with their beautification project. Quicksey continued saying, “We’re going to be removing trees, cutting trees and bushes at vacant lots and vacant homes, as well as mowing grass at those properties.” He added that they will also be removing debris and trash throughout the area.

As Life Remodeled did in their previous Six Day Project in the Cooley High School neighborhood, their partner Amazon will install their “Ring” doorbell devices on 100 homes in the area.

Ian Conyers of Amazon Community Affairs said, “We’re installing Ring devices in honor of Anchor Detroit… to make sure the folks have the opportunity to communicate with each other… and bring the community together.”

One resident, Shirley Bradford, who lives in the area, said before Life Remodeled stepped in to help, some of the vacant properties were a problem. “Paper, debris. You name it, we had it.” But after the Six Day Project was complete, Bradford said she was proud of what the organization was doing. “They’re making it look very, very beautiful.”

So, in the third week of September 2024—for six days—Life Remodeled brought over 5,000 volunteers—from 158 ‘groups’—to the neighborhood, and they did the following:

– 283 City Blocks Beautified
– 1,100 Cubic Yards Of Trash and 990 Cubic Yards Of Brush Cleared
(That’s about 840 pickup truckloads of debris)
– 353 Tires Recycled
(Which, stacked up on top of one another, would make them almost as tall as the Eiffel Tower!)
– 100 “Ring” Doorbells Donated By Amazon (Many installations happened during the Project week.)

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Partners ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – GM Group ]

Someone got me on the bus getting ready to take a photo of the General Motors group…

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Photographer Mark Besh Taking GM Group Pic ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Volunteers Boarding Buses ]

WORK OUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – An ‘Army’ Of Volunteers ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Cleaning Up Blight ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Cleaning Up Overgrowth ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Uncovering Sidewalks ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Cleaning Up Garbage ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Removing Dangerous Trees ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Cleaning Up Junk ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Before And After ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Before And After ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Before And After ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Before And After ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Before And After ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Before And After ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Removing Garbage ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Removing Old Tires ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Filling Many Dumpsters ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Installing “Ring” Doorbells ]

WORK AT THE BUILDING

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Auditorium Exterior ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Exterior Cleanup ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Painting Exterior ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Cleaning Up Old Trees ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Remodeling Interior ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Cleaning Hallways ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Cleaning Up Classrooms ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Removing Old Flooring ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Removing Auditorium Seats ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” – Proposed Completion – Aerial View ]

[ VIDEO: Six Day Project Recap Video ]

[ FYI: Photos Of The Volunteers Working:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/liferemodeled2024/albums/ ]

‘TRANSFORMATIVE’ INITIATIVE
In the realm of urban revitalization and community development, few initiatives match the intensity and impact of Life Remodeled’s Six Day Project.

The bold and transformative program stands at the intersection of grassroots activism and systematic change, demonstrating how focused, short-term efforts can lead to long-lasting community improvements.

By mobilizing thousands of volunteers and harnessing significant resources, Life Remodeled is expanding the possibilities of community service and urban renewal.

The “Six Day Project” is Life Remodeled’s longest-running initiative designed to rejuvenate neighborhoods through an accelerated, high-impact approach in partnership with neighborhood residents. Over the course of just six days, more than 5,000 volunteers mobilize to clear blight and beautify a specific Detroit neighborhood. By tackling critical needs within the selected community, the project creates substantial physical, social, and economic improvements in a remarkably short time frame.

Key Benefits Of The Six Day Project:

– Rapid Transformation
One of the most compelling benefits of the Six Day Project is its ability to deliver rapid transformation. By concentrating efforts over six intense days, Life Remodeled and its more than 120 partners achieve what might otherwise take months or years to complete. This focused timeframe enables immediate, noticeable improvements, including the beautification of public spaces, the reduction of crime-prone areas and sites affected by illegal dumping, and the enhancement of community facilities.

– Enhanced Community Engagement
The Six Day Project fosters a profound sense of community engagement and ownership. More than 5,000 volunteers from diverse backgrounds, including neighborhood residents, come together to work on projects that directly impact their neighborhoods. This collective effort not only enhances the physical environment but also strengthens community bonds. Residents see tangible results from their neighbors’ efforts, which can inspire continued community involvement and support.

– Economic Stimulus
Beyond the immediate aesthetic and functional improvements throughout the neighborhood, the Six Day Project also stimulates local economies. The Six Day Project takes place in a community where Life Remodeled is also renovating and repurposing a vacant school building into an opportunity hub, which ultimately will serve tens of thousands of Detroiters annually through afterschool programs, workforce development, health & wellness, arts & culture, and technology. The renovation of public spaces can increase property values and attract new investments. By improving the overall environment, the project helps to make the area more appealing to potential businesses and residents, contributing to long-term economic development.

– Empowerment Through Collaboration
Life Remodeled’s approach to the Six Day Project involves extensive collaboration with local stakeholders, including residents, businesses like Masco, and civic organizations. This inclusive approach ensures the projects address the community’s specific needs and priorities. It empowers residents by involving them in the planning and execution stages, giving them a voice in the transformation process.

– Increased Visibility And Support
The concentrated nature of the Six Day Project draws significant media attention and public interest. This visibility helps raise awareness about the challenges facing the community and the potential solutions. It also attracts additional support from donors, volunteers, and partners who are inspired by the project’s results and are eager to contribute to future initiatives.

– Lasting Impact
While the Six Day Project is a short-term initiative, its impact is long-lasting. The improvements made during the project provide lasting benefits to the community, enhancing the quality of life for residents. Additionally, the sense of accomplishment and the strengthened community ties often lead to sustained efforts toward further improvements and ongoing community engagement.

Life Remodeled’s Six Day Project exemplifies how concentrated, collaborative efforts can drive significant change within communities. By mobilizing thousands of volunteers and leveraging diverse resources, this initiative delivers rapid and impactful results that extend beyond the six-day timeframe.

The project not only transforms physical spaces but also strengthens community bonds, stimulates local economies, and empowers residents to take an active role in their development.

COMMUNITY FAIR
To thank all the volunteers for their hard work and invite the community to a fun event, Life Remodeled had a “Community Fair” on the last day of the Six Day Project.

Despite the rain, more than 350 people had a great time on carnival rides, inflatables, and horse rides. There were also video games, a mobile bowling alley trailer, a balloon artist, face painting, and lots of food and music.

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Community Fair – Lots Of Food ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Community Fair – Great Music ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Community Fair – Many Rides ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Community Fair – Indoor Bowling ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Community Fair – Video Games ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Community Fair – Horse Rides ]

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Six Day Project – Community Fair – Balloon Artist ]

[ VIDEO: For more details about the Community Fair after Life Remodeled’s “Six Day Project” at their new “Anchor Detroit” Opportunity Hub, view the following news story by CBS News Detroit ]

[ VIDEO: Just a month before the Six Day Project and its Community Fair at Life Remodeled’s new Opportunity Hub, “Anchor Detroit,” they did their annual Community Fair at their first Opportunity Hub, the “Durfee Innovation Society” ]

WHAT ‘SPONSORS’ SAID
Putting on a large ‘event’ such as the Six Day Project takes a lot of support. Life Remodeled has been blessed by a variety of corporations that have come behind them and have ‘tangibly’ assisted with the successful accomplishment of the Six Day Project, as well as the renovation of the new “Anchor Detroit” building.

The following are the most ‘substantial’ sponsors for 2024:

[ VIDEO: Absopure helped all the volunteers keep hydrated for work more effectively. ]

[ VIDEO: Amazon wants to make sure that folks have the opportunity to connect with what matters: To communicate with each other and to bring the community together. ]

[ VIDEO: BASF said that this was a great opportunity for them to be a good citizen, give back, and show their appreciation to the Denby community. ]

[ VIDEO: Cummins just wants to do their part to make Detroit a little bit nicer, a little
bit cleaner and a little bit safer. ]

[ VIDEO: General Motors just wanted to be part of the Life Remodeled ‘movement’ to help the residents of Detroit and clean up the neighborhood as well. ]

[ VIDEO: L&L Products tries to live out its values by giving back to the community. ]

[ VIDEO: Masco was excited to help transform the former school into a second Community Hub. ]

[ VIDEO: Taubman said since their company is part of the community, it feels great to give back to the community. ]

Without these extraordinarily generous ‘partners’, Life Remodeled’s aspirations to help the Denby community with an Opportunity Hub would not have been realized.

‘THINGS’ ALREADY HAPPENING
As the Fox Theatre undergoes maintenance to improve its seating, its old seats have found a new home—in Life Remodeled’s new “Anchor Detroit” development. Around 800 of the Fox Theater’s seats will be installed in the ‘renovated’ auditorium.

[ PHOTO: Life Remodeled – “Anchor Detroit” Project – Old Fox Theater Seats Donated ]

Life Remodeled’s founder and CEO, Chris Lambert, said, “For this project to now include the seats from an iconic theater—the theater of theaters in Detroit—is really a huge win.” Lambert continued, saying, “New seats can cost up to $1,000. So the donation of the seats—in addition to their storied history—saved the project up to $800,000.”

The Fox Theater seats—which were removed as part of the building’s current round of renovations—were donated by the Ilitch Companies and have already been delivered. They came disassembled in boxes—some of just cushions, some of just seatbacks, and some of just chair legs. They will be professionally assembled and installed in the new space shortly.

The 10,500 square foot auditorium—which has a capacity of 698 people—will eventually house concerts, theatrical performances, graduation ceremonies, and possibly an ‘off-Broadway’ production.

Lambert added, “We’ll be partnering with arts and cultural organizations in Detroit to provide performances of all varieties—performing arts and theatrical events of all different shapes and sizes, with a focus on local Detroit talent, both for youth and adults.”

NOT JUST ‘TALK’
There is always a lot of ‘talk’—but not enough ‘walk’—when it comes to revitalizing Detroit neighborhoods. Detroiters have all the talent they need, but many do not have access to all the opportunities they deserve.

Therefore, Life Remodeled repurposes vacant school buildings into one-stop “Opportunity Hubs” for entire families to thrive. They fill these iconic buildings with the best and brightest nonprofit organizations that provide youth programs, workforce development, and human services to tens of thousands of students and community members. Life Remodeled then helps their nonprofit tenants collaborate and create far greater life transformation together than was previously possible alone. Together, they ensure more of the following:

– Detroit students perform at/above grade level in math and reading
– Families have access to essential health and wellness services
– Community members obtain higher-paying jobs and achieve economic self-sufficiency

[ NOTE: For more details about Life Remodeled and their “Opportunity Hubs,” visit their website at LifeRemodeled.org ]

MEDIA COVERAGE OF 2024 SIX-DAY PROJECT
Lastly, check out some of the media coverage that Life Remodeled received during the Six-Day Project in the Denby neighborhood around the new “Anchor Detroit” Opportunity Hub:

Lippert and MASCO started cleaning up the Winans property during the Six-Day Project in the Cooley High School neighborhood (in October 2023):

[ Six Day Project 2023 Sponsor – MASCO ]

[ WXYZ – “Channel 7 / WXYZ: 2024 Life Remodeled Six Day Project” ]

[ WXYZ – “Life Remodeled presents 6-day event for neighborhood beautification on Detroit’s east side” ]

[ CBS News Detroit – “CBS Detroit / 2024 Life Remodeled / Launch Ceremony” ]

[ FOX 2 News – “FOX 2 Detroit / 2024 Life Remodeled / Launch Ceremony” ]

[ CBS News Detroit – “Community Fair / 2024 Anchor Detroit / CBS Detroit” ]

“Winans Academy of Performing Arts getting new life, bringing programs to Detroit”:
https://www.wxyz.com/news/winans-academy-of-performing-arts-getting-new-life-bringing-programs-to-detroit

“Life Remodeled presents 6-day event for neighborhood beautification on Detroit’s east side”:
https://www.wxyz.com/news/life-remodeled-presents-6-day-event-for-neighborhood-beautification-on-detroits-east-side#google_vignette

“Life Remodeled brings its community hub vision to the Denby High neighborhood”:
https://www.chalkbeat.org/detroit/2023/7/11/23791817/detroit-life-remodeled-denby-high-school-cooley-high-school/

“Winans Academy of Performing Arts getting new life, bringing programs to Detroit”:
https://www.wxyz.com/news/winans-academy-of-performing-arts-getting-new-life-bringing-programs-to-detroit

“Fox Theatre seats donated to Denby neighborhood performing arts space”:
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/2024/09/09/fox-theatre-seats-donated-to-denby-neighborhood-performing-arts-space/75144822007/

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[ Previous 2016 Project in the Denby Neighborhood ]

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SO, how does the previous project, the “Durfee Innovation Society” ‘measure up’? Well…

[ “Tour The DIS!” ]

[ “DIS Experience ’22” ]

[ “DIS Fall Kickoff 2024” ]

OUR DESIGN SERVICES
We did some graphic design work before the project—Facebook ads and location maps—and we were responsible for gathering all of the photographer’s photos and organize them on Life Remodeled’s Flickr Page:

[ NOTE: See more than 4,700 pics of the volunteers and what they did on the Six-Day Project here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/liferemodeled2024/albums/ ]

MORE INFORMATION
So, 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