In 1991, Southeastern Village was initiated as a collaborative effort between the Detroit Public Schools and several organizations with long histories of serving youth and families on Detroit’s east side. This effort was a result of the vision of the late William Beckham, the CEO of New Detroit and a member of the reform school board of the Detroit Public Schools. Under his leadership, the Southeastern High School Principals’ Alliance, Michigan Neighborhood Partnership, Operation Get Down, Joy of Jesus and Warren Conner Development Coalition, were convened to envision and plan an effort to improve the quality of life for the children and families of the community bounded by Mack Avenue, the Detroit River, Mt. Elliott and Alter Road. This group started from the philosophical position that committed community residents and stakeholders can positively impact community resources and institutions that will help revitalize their community for future generations. (Click Below for More on SEV).
In October 2005, with the closing of Bellevue Elementary School by the Detroit Public Schools, Southeastern Village moved into the former elementary school building at 1501 Canton. This move provided a number of opportunities for SEV and the community it serves. By expanding its own programs and services and hosting other community organizations and agencies, SEV aspires to become Detroit’s premier neighborhood community resource center. Free Services include: Early Childhood Development, Legal Aid and Defenders Assn. (LADA), Mi Café (food assistance for seniors), After School programming & tutoring, computer lab, SEV Pacers Walking Club, Summer Camp, Foster Care Support Services, and Community Development Programs.
The Southeastern Village serves some of Detroit's most disadvantaged neighborhoods -- in terms of economic/social struggles but also in the physical and environmental conditions present in the community. The area is one that has seen continual population loss over the past 40 years. The most recent data on housing vacancy shows that on some blocks, every third or fourth home stands vacant. According to the 2000 Census, nearly 50 percent of the families had incomes below the poverty level. Beyond financial concerns, one in every three persons over the age of five reported a physical or mental disability in 2000.
Severe economic, social, educational, and environmental challenges are what distinguish some urban neighborhoods, like those in Detroit and other Michigan cities, from smaller cities and suburban communities. They also highlight the critical level of need for addressing youth health, education and safety issues. The challenge, however, is that while the needs in some urban neighborhoods are usually the highest, implementing programs and achieving success is often very difficult. Several academic studies have identified the presence of community organization, "social capital" or collective efficacy in urban neighborhoods as a factor that helps disadvantaged neighborhoods confront issues such as crime and community development, and achieve success. It is in this context that The Southeastern Village serves the community, in one of Detroit's poorest neighborhoods. In this project, SEV implemented an ambitious program to help promote the Safe Routes to School movement at several schools. This website provides the highlights and lessons learned from the project.
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