| NEWS ARCHIVES |
Four more Early Learning Centers in Detroit
ELC expansion through United Way funding
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| Southwest Counseling Solutions’ Early Childhood and Family Literacy program will open four additional Early Learning Communities (ELCs) in Detroit, thanks to funding from the United Way and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC). |
| MORE >> |
Veterans groups impressed by Piquette Square
Groups take tour of the facility
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| Local veterans’ organizations are applauding Piquette Square after a tour of the facility that will provide permanent supportive housing for 150 homeless veterans. |
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Latino families hard hit by foreclosure crisis
Study by NCLR includes southwest Detroit
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| The foreclosure crisis is eroding the stability of Latino families and children in Detroit and nationwide, according to a new study by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). |
| MORE >> |
Illness Management and Recovery group
Helping each other recover from mental illness
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| Once a week, a group of individuals living with mental illness gather to discuss the triumphs and setbacks of recovery. They speak to each other with great candor and empathy. |
| MORE >> |
Once homeless tenant wins at Special Olympics
Rydell Cotton gets 2 gold medals in State Winter Games
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| Eight years ago, Rydell and his mother Elaine were homeless. It was winter, and they were living in an abandoned car near a church in southwest Detroit. |
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Kresge grant for new healthcare center
$250,000 grant results in nearly $1M investment
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| The Kresge Foundation has awarded Covenant Community Care a $250,000 grant toward the construction of a new integrated healthcare center in southwest Detroit. A State matching program generated an additional $680,000. |
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Freddie Mac taps Southwest Housing for help
To help distressed homeowners in 38 states
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| Southwest Housing Solutions is one of thirteen nonprofit organizations in the country selected by Freddie Mac to participate in an intensive outreach effort to help distressed borrowers save their homes. |
| MORE >> |
Treasury official commends Southwest Housing
Event with Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund
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| A senior Treasury official attended an event in southwest Detroit today to celebrate a significant community development project by Southwest Housing Solutions benefiting from recent financial assistance made possible by a federal grant. |
| MORE >> |
Autistic child improving in our program
Developmental Disabilities Program helps families
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| Orlando Villegas is a therapist at Southwest Counseling Solutions and the director of its Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program. He has been treating Sean for a year. Sean is six years old and has been diagnosed with High Functioning Autism. |
| MORE >> |
Four blighted homes near school torn down
Victory for school-based organizing effort
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| After concerted pressure from community organizers working with parents at Westside Multicultural Academy in southwest Detroit, the City recently demolished four blighted houses near the school. |
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$4 million green jobs training grant
Southwest Housing and partners receive federal grant
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| The US Department of Labor announced that Southwest Housing Solutions and its collaborative partners have been awarded a $4 million grant to train 360 disadvantaged community residents for employment opportunities in green industries. |
| MORE >> |
Laid-off autoworker starts her own salon
Helen Shaw leases commercial space from us
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| “I wanted to work for myself,” Helen said. “I know I have the talent and the will, but I really had to sacrifice and save to start up my business.” |
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Our Family Literacy deemed "outstanding"
National Center for Family Literacy study |
| Schoolchildren and their parents participating in a Southwest Counseling Solutions’ family literacy program significantly improved their language and academic skills, according to a study by the National Center for Family Literacy, which is regarded as the worldwide leader in family literacy. |
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Southwest Detroit Timebank starts up
Volunteer membership organization
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| Timebanking builds relationships and community. You get to know your neighbors and build an extended family of people who take care of each other. |
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Our YouTube channel launches
Features short films about the organization
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| Films show Southwest Solutions is changing lives, creating community and transforming the neighborhood. |
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Brian Dates to serve on two expert panels
Director of Evaluation and Research at Southwest
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| Brian Dates, Director of Evaluation and Research at Southwest Counseling Solutions, has been selected to participate in two panel of national experts to evaluate important federal initiatives designed to reduce homelessness. |
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44 homes built by Southwest all leased up
Hubbard Communities project in southwest Detroit
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| The $8.2 million development project is called Hubbard Communities. It is comprised of 33 new single-family townhouses and 11 new single-family homes. All 44 units are now leased up. |
| MORE >> |
Windsor Star extols our development efforts
Cites the transformation of Hubbard-Richard community
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| Columnist Anne Jarvis visited Southwest Housing Solutions to see how the development projects of Bagley Housing Association (which is now part of Southwest Housing) transformed the Hubbard-Richard community and kept the Ambassador Bridge company from buying up land and letting the neighborhood fall into decay. |
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Van Camp a "2009 Behavioral Health Champion"
President of Southwest among six in the nation honored
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| "2009 Champions have 'come up' through the field of behavioral healthcare with all of its challenges, difficulties, and occasional rewards. This trajectory has enabled them to blend a thorough understanding of clinical, client, community, and social issues with the unique, often intangible, qualities required to take on leadership roles..." |
| MORE >> |
Our food pantry: How 2 women helped many
Donations from Sister Lantzy and Cathy Samanen
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| The need for emergency food for families and individuals in our apartment buildings continues to grow. Our food pantry provides canned and dry goods. More of our tenants are relying on the pantry so that they do not go hungry. |
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Robert Bobb meets with Youth Voice
Meeting held at Southwest Counseling Solutions
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| Leaders of Youth Voice, a grassroots organizing effort designed to give youth a greater voice in the community and public policy, met with Robert Bobb, Emergency Financial Manager of Detroit Public Schools, to discuss important school issues. |
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Holiday party for homeless we serve
Housing Resource Center offers gifts and cheer |
| Our Housing Resource Center (HRC) held its 2009 holiday party at St. Anne’s church in southwest Detroit. More than 75 persons that are homeless or formerly homeless attended. All are being helped by the HRC. The food and gift baskets at the event were provided and prepared by the St. Elizabeth Franciscan Fraternity. See the photo essay. |
| MORE >> |
Skillman awards Family Literacy $145,000
Community organizing and childhood development |
| Southwest Counseling Solutions’ Family Literacy program has been awarded a $145,000 grant by The Skillman Foundation to enhance early childhood development services for families of young children in southwest Detroit and improve their quality of life. |
| MORE >> |
Artist Elizabeth Sutton teaches at Go-Getters
Helping individuals at our homeless drop-in center |
| Elizabeth Sutton, who teaches art classes at the Detroit Institute of Arts, volunteered to work with individuals at Go-Getters and help them make centerpieces for the upcoming Go-Getters holiday party. |
| MORE >> |
Gene Kuthy named a "2009 Local Hero"
Serves on the Southwest Solutions board
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| In honor of his community leadership and service, Gene Kuthy is one of four recipients of the 2009 "Local Heroes" awards given by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation as part of its Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI). |
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Tardella cited in Free Press new homeless story
Head of SWCS also heads HAND |
| From the article: "We are seeing a lot of folks who, in a better economy, would not be homeless," said Joseph Tardella, president of the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND). |
| MORE >> |
Our homeless prevention efforts lead the way
Three new initiatives by Southwest Counseling |
| Because of its prominent reputation for best practices in its homeless prevention programs, Southwest Counseling Solutions has been selected to help lead three different initiatives that will further advance efforts to address homelessness in Detroit. |
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Go-Getters consumers hurt by cutbacks
Program serves the homeless and mentally ill |
| Cutbacks in grant revenues have reduced Go-Getters’ operating budget by 22% this year, forcing Go-Getters to close on Fridays, trim hours, and reduce support group meetings. |
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Free Press editorial cites Tim Thorland
"Saving the most salvageable neighborhoods"
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| Major editorial advocates a comprehensive urban planning strategy to save Detroit neighborhoods with the most potential for revitalization. The efforts of Southwest Housing Solutions in southwest Detroit are highlighted. |
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Southwest named a top place to work!
Detroit Free Press honors our organization
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| The Detroit Free Press named Southwest Solutions one of the “2009 Top Workplaces” among medium-sized companies (150 – 499 employees). |
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Southwest wins diversity award
Corp! magazine names us a "Diversity Champion"
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| Southwest Solutions was honored for its diverse staff that serve southwest Detroit, which is one of the most diverse communities in the State. |
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John Van Camp receives fellowship
The McGregor Fund honors Southwest president
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| John is one of three heads of local nonprofits chosen to participate in the inaugural Eugene A. Miller Fellows Program. |
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Solutions at Sunrise 2009 draws 750 people!
Fundraising event raises $270,000
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| The breakfast event, now in its fourth year, took place on Wednesday, October 14 at the Ford Conference in Dearborn. The event was covered by Latino Press, which then featured Solutions at Sunrise on its front page. |
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Piquette Square featured in journal
Journal of Tax Credit Housing looks at project
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| Article explores the funding complexities and development challenges of the Piquette Square project, which will provide supportive housing for 150 homeless veterans. |
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Tim Thorland interviewed in Italian paper
Italian magazine "Left" looks at Detroit's future
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| The article is written in Italian and calls Tim Thorland, the head of Southwest Housing Solutions, a "visionary" for his ideas on urban planning to revitalize the city. |
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Crain's article on L3Cs cites Southwest
Organization considering innovative concept
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| "The concept is to take advantage of new, low-profit, limited liability companies — or L3Cs — which create revenue streams through a combination of public and private investment to feed a socially beneficial purpose." |
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Tubman Center receives Kresge grant
$450,000 for general operating support
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| The Harriet Tubman Center partners with Southwest Solutions in a number of community organizing efforts in southwest Detroit. |
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Safety summit gets police to reconsider policy
Detroit News article on issue raised by Youth Voice
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| In light of the Youth Voice Safety Summit at Western High School on Oct. 1, police from the city of Detroit and police from Detroit Public Schools vowed greater cooperation. The issue of jurisdiction was raised at the community forum. |
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Youth Voice safety summit draws 300 attendees!
Robert Bobb and Detroit Police Chiefs answer questions
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| Detroit Public Schools (DPS) Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb, Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans, and DPS Police Chief Roderick Grimes appeared together and answered serious questions from teen activists about school and community safety at a special youth forum called “Vigilance and Violence.” |
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7 Action News features our tenant organizing
Apartment tenants protest bedbug infestation
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| "Tenants in a downtown Detroit high-rise say they are getting eaten alive in their own apartments, and now they are demanding action..." |
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Free Press mentions our volunteer outreach
Southwest draws young professionals to serve
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| "Southwest Solutions, which offers counseling, literacy, housing and other services, has brought on young professionals to boards and committees, and routinely invites young adults to see the organization's efforts in southwest Detroit..." |
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SAMHSA awards Southwest Counseling $400,000
Funds for our supportive housing program |
| Southwest Counseling Solutions is one of 43 agencies in the country selected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to receive grants to help homeless individuals and families. The grant is for $400,000 dispersed over five years. |
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Southwest selected for innovative youth program
Will help “transition-age youth” become successful adults |
| Southwest Counseling Solutions has been selected by the National Council for Community Behavioral Health as the pilot site for a promising new program that helps youth who are leaving the foster care system or residential treatment facilities and who have emotional or behavioral difficulties. Read the article from Mental Health Weekly. |
| MORE (National Council press release) >> |
Exciting Developments at Southwest Housing!
Piquette Square. Former Third Precinct. Hubbard Farms.
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| Homeless veterans, local artists and residents of the Hubbard Farms community all stand to benefit from three different initiatives from Southwest Housing Solutions. |
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Demand for our foreclosure services doubles
Due to foreclosure rate and program excellence
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| The demand for foreclosure mitigation counseling at our Housing Opportunity Center has increased two and a half times in the past year as the foreclosure crisis continues to batter the housing market and neighborhoods. |
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Detroit LISC gives grant to Southwest Housing
"Sustainable Communities" award
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| Southwest Housing Solutions is one a dozen nonprofit organizations that will receive funding and resources to help move the Detroit LISC Sustainable Communities agenda forward. Detroit LISC is investing $3 million over three years to foster and perpetuate the program. |
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Southwest to renovate vacant police station
Plan will convert Third Precinct into new arts center
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| Southwest Housing Solutions plans to turn a vacant police precinct in southwest Detroit into a creative arts center. The $1.98 million project is slated for the old 3rd Precinct building and an adjacent structure at West Vernor and 20th Street. |
| MORE (Detroit News article) >> |
Photography Classes at Go-Getters!
Courtesy of photographer Oneita Porter |
| Consumers at Go-Getters Drop-in Center benefited from the generosity of photographer Oneita Porter from the Contemporary Arts Institute of Detroit, who offered a series of free photography classes there. |
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Skillman awards $100,000 to organizing program
Will expand our efforts on behalf of children and youth
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| Southwest Solutions’ community partnerships program has been awarded a $100,000 grant by The Skillman Foundation to strengthen and expand community capacity for leadership, planning and advocacy for children through community organizing in southwest Detroit. |
| MORE >> |
Jules Cobb honored for wraparound work
Named “2009 Wrapper of the Year” by the State |
| Jules Cobb, a wraparound resource coordinator at Southwest Counseling Solutions, is one of five recipients of the “2009 Wrapper of the Year” awards. The award was presented at the 2009 Michigan statewide Wraparound Conference. |
| MORE >> |
Ebony Walker's supportive housing story
An amazing journey of redemption |
| The story of how Ebony Walker, who served more than 20 years in prison, was helped by Janet Turner, a developmental disability clinical housing specialist with Southwest Counseling Solutions. Story written by Charlie Zink. |
| MORE >> |
Southwest gets federal grant to fight blight
$500,000 awarded to Southwest Housing by MSHDA
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| Money will be used to acquire and demolish foreclosed and distressed properties in southwest Detroit that are a detriment to the neighborhood. |
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Youth Voice gets meeting with police chief
Detroit News article on activist action |
| "Members of Youth Voice are an impatient group, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. They aren't teenagers impatient for the latest cell phone or hottest name-brand clothing. Rather, they're impatient for improvements in their community." |
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Piquette Square under construction
Detroit News features our project for homeless veterans |
| "A housing complex for homeless veterans is rising from the ashes of a former Studebaker plant destroyed in a 2005 fire. The complex, called Piquette Square, will house 150 homeless veterans selected by the state in 100,000 square feet at 285 Piquette." |
| MORE >> |
Southwest Solutions' policy on Bridge proposals
Policy outlines principles to protect the community |
| Southwest Solutions has issued its policy statement on the proposed bridges between the United States and Canada. Both proposed projects (DIBC and DRIC) are of immense interest to the southwest Detroit community. Read the full text of our statement. Post a comment our Facebook page. |
| MORE >> |
Counseling programs cut by 10%
Result of state cutbacks and economic crisis |
| To cope with a decrease of $245,000 in state funds, SWCS will reduce its program capacity by 10%. This reduction will affect all SWCS services, including programs that help people of all ages living with mental illness, homeless individuals, probationary youth, and families striving to increase their literacy. |
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Model D story on foreclosure cites Southwest
Tim Thorland interviewed about our response to the crisis |
| "One third [of those seeking our foreclosure counseling] we can help, one third we struggle helping, and one third we just can't help," says Tim Thorland, executive director of Southwest Housing Solutions. Those Southwest can't save often suffer from lack of wages or their mortgage is just too far gone to fix. "But we counsel everyone to let them know what options they may have and how the process works." |
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WDET features HOC
Mortage crisis series on public radio |
| WDET tells the instructive story of Vicky Chavez, who came to our Housing Opportunity Center seeking help late in the foreclosure process. Our counselors tried everything they could to keep the family in their home. Hear the story. |
| MORE >> |
Beautification Day draws 300 volunteers!
13 community projects in southwest Detroit |
| The Third Annual Neighborhood Beautification Day on June 6 in southwest Detroit drew more than 300 people who volunteered to paint murals and buildings, clean up and landscape properties, plant communal gardens, and realize other projects designed to improve the appearance of the neighborhood. |
| MORE >> |
John Van Camp wins Evaluation Award
Honors our program evaluation work |
| John Van Camp, president of Southwest Solutions, is the winner of the 2009 John A. Seeley Friend of Evaluation Award from the Michigan Association for Evaluation (MAE).The annual award recognizes individuals who are leading the effort to make evaluation an integral part of planning, developing and improving programs. |
| MORE >> |
Youth Voice on CNN
Live satellite interview on June 4 |
| CNN interviewed two leaders of Youth Voice, Jasmine Boatwright and Latrice McCants. Jasmine and Latrice both work as youth advocates for Southwest Counseling. See the video. |
| MORE >> |
Piquette Square development moves forward
150-unit supportive housing project for homeless vets |
| Article in Affordable Housing Finance magazine talks about how Southwest Housing is overcoming funding challenges to construct Piquette Square. |
| MORE >> |
Our "green" construction praised
Model D article cites Southwest Housing |
| "Just east of W. Grand Boulevard sits the stately Lithuanian Hall, now home to a Kumon tutoring center and the offices of Southwest Housing Solutions. It's notable as one of the few rehab projects to be attempting LEED certification..." |
| MORE >> |
Youth Voice meets with Mayor Bing
Meeting covered by AP and Fox2 |
| The first ever meeting between Youth Voice and Mayor Dave Bing produced some impressive results for the young activists, including significant commitments from the mayor and his staff and national media attention. |
| MORE >> |
Housing's Bryan Barnhill profiled in Free Press
Rochelle Riley column on Harvard grad and Detroit native |
| Bryan will assist in the development of new housing and real estate programs. "He represents a new generation of young leaders eager to help and serve and who are passionately committed like we are to the rejuvenation of the city," said John Van Camp, president of Southwest Solutions. |
| |
Bagley Housing becomes part of Southwest
Together have invested $150 million in the community |
| Bagley Housing Association (BHA) is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Housing Solutions, creating a stronger and more broad-based community development entity to advance the revitalization of southwest Detroit. |
| MORE >> |
Shirley Cockrell named "Consumer of the Year"
Go-Getters' director recognized for mental health work |
| Shirley Cockrell, director of the Go-Getters’ Homeless Drop-in Center at Southwest Counseling Solutions, has been named “Consumer of the Year” by Behavioral Health Professionals, Inc. (BHPi). |
| MORE >> |
HOC's Tina Ellis blogs for Free Press
A leading foreclosure counselor in Detroit |
| Tina Ellis, a foreclosure mitigation counselor at our Housing Opportunity Center, was asked by the Detroit Free Press to write about her experiences in advising distressed homeowners. Her first blog is about how the foreclosure crisis affects southwest Detroit. Her second blog is about predatory foreclosure counseling scams. |
| MORE >> |
Hector Hernandez new head of HOC
An expert in affordable housing issues |
| Hector Hernandez is the new director of the Housing Opportunity Center at Southwest Housing Solutions. He brings substantial experience and expertise in affordable housing and homeownership issues to the leadership position, and has deep ties to southwest Detroit. |
| MORE >> |
John Van Camp receives 2009 Peacemaker Award
Honored by Wayne State University |
| John Van Camp, president of Southwest Solutions, is one of five recipients of the 2009 Peacemaker Awards from The Center for Peace and Conflict Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Science at Wayne State University. The awards recognize those working to promote peace and conflict resolution in the community. |
| MORE >> |
Cockrel commits to Youth Voice requests
May 1 youth summit draws more than 200 people |
| Interim Mayor Ken Cockrel attended a forum organized by Youth Voice and pledged to work with the youth collaborative to tear down abandoned homes near schools, improve public schools, secure youth jobs, address crime and gang problems, and enhance recreational opportunities. The event with Cockrel was covered by Fox2-TV, Local4-TV, the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News. A YouTube video was also made. |
| MORE >> |
Southwest named top 50 affordable housing developer
Recognized by national publication |
| Affordable Housing Finance magazine has named Southwest Housing Solutions as one of the top 50 developers of affordable housing in the United States. Southwest Housing is the only developer in Michigan to make the list. |
| MORE >> |
Sister Mary Ellen named 2009 Community Champion
Serves on Southwest Counseling board |
| Molina Healthcare of Michigan recognized nine unsung heroes at is third annual Community Champions Awards, including Sister Mary Ellen Howard, RSM from St. Frances Cabrini Clinic. |
| MORE >> |
Early Learning Center opens at Munger
Will help parents and caregivers of preschool kids |
| Families with preschool children are celebrating a new center in southwest Detroit that will provide free training and resources to parents and caregivers so that they can prepare children to be “ready to learn” when the children enter school. (Read the Latino Press article in Spanish.) |
| MORE >> |
WDET features our community organizing efforts
"Parents in Southwest Detroit Fight Stray Dogs" |
| "After several dog attacks, parents in southwest Detroit are working with their local schools and the animal control department to find a solution to the city’s stray and feral dog problem. WDET’s Rob St. Mary reports..." |
| MORE >> |
Thorland cited in Train Depot editorial
Detroit Free Press April 26, 2009 |
| "For people and businesses considering southwest Detroit, the first question is what's going on with the train station?" said Timothy Thorland, executive director of Southwest Housing Solutions in Detroit... |
| MORE >> |
Lawndale apartment building opens
14-unit building at 2201 Lawndale St. |
| Lawndale offers affordable housing and state-of-the-art “green” construction in a beautifully restored historic building. It features studio and one, two or three bedroom units that rent for $245 to $700 per month. |
| MORE >> |
Supportive Housing wins national award
Program honored for Excellence in Innovation |
| Southwest Counseling Solutions is the winner of 2009 Awards of Excellence in Innovation, presented by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. |
| MORE >> |
Southwest named "Housing Hero"
Charter One Foundation provides $25,000 grant |
| Charter One has named Southwest Housing Solutions as its 2008 Housing Hero. Each year, the Housing Heroes Award spotlights one nonprofit housing developer that demonstrates innovative solutions and leadership in creating affordable housing. |
| MORE >> |
Model D lauds Southwest Housing
"Nonprofit Developer Gets It Right" |
| "There area many community development corporations, known as CDCs, doing business in Detroit these days. Southwest Solutions is the talk of the town.." |
| MORE >> |
Joseph Tardella is new HAND president
Will head Homeless Action Network of Detroit |
| Joseph Tardella, executive director of Southwest Counseling Solutions, has been elected as the new president of the Homeless Action Network of Detroit and will lead its efforts to end homelessness in the Detroit area. |
| MORE >> |
Free Press features supportive housing program
Profiles homeless artist we housed |
| A full-page story and accompanying online video profile Freddie Harris, a talented artist who had lived on the streets for a dozen years before moving into our Whitdel apartment building. |
| MORE >> |
Grand Apartments open!
$2.5M invested into 14-unit building |
| On West Grand Boulevard just north of Vernor in southwest Detroit, Southwest Housing Solutions has completed renovations at the Grand Apartments. The 14 affordable units range from one- to three-bedrooms and rent for $375 to $700. |
| MORE >> |
Wilshire celebrates 10 years!
Southwest's first development project |
| Anchoring a corner on Grand Boulevard in southwest Detroit, the Wilshire apartment building stands as a historic landmark in many respects. Its development ten years ago was a turning point for the community, Southwest Solutions and the tenants who made it their home. |
| MORE >> |
Southwest named "CDC of the Year"
Detroit LISC honors our development efforts |
| Southwest Housing Solutions is the winner of the “Community Development Corporation (CDC) of the Year” Award presented at 2008 Detroit Community Development Awards ⎯ the premiere event recognizing the leaders and unsung heroes of neighborhood revitalization in metro Detroit. |
| MORE >> |
Tardella in Public Radio story on homeless kids
"Homeless Michigan School Children Are Not Forgotten" |
| "Joe Tardella, executive director of Southwest Counseling Solutions, Detroit, says many times children in homeless shelters bounce from school to school and eventually drop out, making their plight even worse..." |
| MORE >> |
Fox2-TV profiles our homeless programs
Go-Getters and Supportive Housing featured |
| Amy Lange reports on our Go-Getters Drop-in Center and our Supportive Housing program that provides housing and support services to individuals and families who were homeless. Love Ezell and Gerald Butler are profiled. |
| WATCH >> |
Fox2-TV followup story
Love Ezell family reunion at Go-Getters |
| In Amy Lange's first story on our programs to end homelessness, Love Ezell was profiled. Love's long-lost daughter saw the story and then reconnected with her mother at our Go-Getters Drop-in Center. Fox2 filmed the reunion. |
| WATCH >> |
2008 Holiday Wish List drew generous response
30% increase from previous year |
| Our third annual Holiday Wish List drew a generous response from two dozen supporters who donated gifts and items to needy families and individuals served by our programs. |
| MORE >> |
Free Press editorial cites Southwest
Column advocates changes in tax credit policies |
| "Timothy Thorland, executive director of Southwest Housing Solutions, a nonprofit that has developed 400 affordable housing units in Detroit, said the economy, foreclosures and changing demographics will increase the need for affordable rentals in the next decade." |
| MORE >> |
Family Literacy receives several awards
Awards from Skillman, Chase and DPS total $431,000 |
| In recognition of its excellence and significant value to the community, Southwest Counseling Solutions’ (SWSC) family literacy program was awarded major grants in late 2008 from The Skillman Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, and Detroit Public Schools totaling $431,000. In addition, the program received a donation of 6400 books from Better World Books at an event organized by the National Council for Family Literacy (NCFL) on January 7, 2009. |
| MORE >> |
Housing Opportunity Center gets Chase award
$79,000 to our foreclosure mitigation program |
| The foreclosure mitigation program will use the $79,000 Chase grant to add a full-time and two part-time counselors who will assist families facing foreclosure. |
| MORE >> |
Southwest wins Neighborhood Builders honor
Bank of America awards $200,000 grant |
| Southwest Housing Solutions was awarded an unrestricted grant of $200,000 by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation at its first annual Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI) awards in Detroit on November 18, 2008. |
| MORE >> |
Southwest to develop Michigan Ave. site
5716 Michigan Ave. building was designed by Albert Kahn |
| Southwest Housing will develop the historic warehouse into a mixed-use project that will provide office and clinic space for health care providers serving Detroiters. |
| MORE >> |
Free Press features Whitdel apartments
"Renovate, add artists and create energy" |
| "The newly renovated Whitdel apartment building, with an art gallery and ceramic studio, has become a national model for developing affordable housing and attracting the creative class..." |
| MORE >> |
Counseling earns 3-Year CARF Accreditation
Sixth consecutive term of highest accreditation |
| Southwest Counseling Solutions has earned a three-year accreditation for its seven major mental health counseling programs, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) announced. |
| MORE >> |
Solutions at Sunrise a great success!
Annual fundraiser took place on October 16, 2008 |
| Southwest Solutions’ annual fundraising event, called “Solutions at Sunrise,” attracted more than 600 people and raised more than $350,000, exceeding expectations in both benchmarks. |
| MORE >> |
Youth leadership program gets grant
Youth United shows promise, state says |
| Youth United, our youth leadership development program, has received an $88,500 grant and recognition as a promising practice by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH). |
| MORE >> |
Whitdel wins community impact award
2008 CREW Impact Award |
| Southwest Housing Solutions’ Whitdel apartment building has won a CREW Detroit 2008 Impact Award because of it significant positive impact on the neighborhood surrounding the Whitdel in southwest Detroit. |
| MORE >> |
Southwest Solutions in LA Times
Article recognizes our Bill O'Brien |
| The LA Times decided to profile one community organizer in the country making a difference. It chose Bill O'Brien, our lead organizer in southwest Detroit. |
| MORE >> |
Lenora Wins "CFO of the Year" Award
Crain's Detroit Business honors our CFO |
| Southwest Solutions' Lenora Hardy-Foster is one of the winners of Crain's Detroit Business 2008 "CFO of the Year" awards. |
| MORE >> |
Go-Getters moves into Vernor facility
Fisher Clubhouse closes |
| The Fisher Clubhouse, which had served individuals recovering from mental illness for more than 25 years, has closed. The Go-Getters Homeless Drop-in Center has moved into the former Fisher facility, at 2640 W. Vernor, and began operating there on September 8, 2008. |
| MORE >> |
Piquette Square Breaks Ground
Long-term supportive housing for homeless vets |
| Piquette Square is a 150-unit apartment project in the New Center area to house and care for homeless veterans. Southwest Housing Solutions developed the $20 million project and will own and manage it. Sen. Carl Levin and other dignitaries spoke at the official groundbreaking ceremony on June 2, 2008. The project is expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2009. |
| MORE >> |
Southwest wins DTE Excellence Award
$30,000 grant awarded |
| Southwest Solutions has received a $30,000 grant from the DTE Energy Foundation's 2008 Achieving Excellence Awards. The award honored Southwest Solutions in the category “Sustainability,” which recognizes exemplary nonprofit organizations that achieve financial stability through a diversified revenue base. |
| MORE >> |
Neighborhood Beautification Day a Great Success
More than 150 volunteers turn out |
| The volunteers participated in Neighborhood Beautification Day sponsored by Southwest Housing Solutions on Saturday, June 7, 2008. At four different sites, volunteers from corporations and local organizations worked with area residents and Southwest staff to plant communal gardens, plant and prune trees, and accomplish other landscaping projects. |
| MORE >> |
Housing Opportunity Center awarded $500,000
Kresge grant to fight foreclosures in Detroit |
| Southwest Housing Solutions’ Housing Opportunity Center has been awarded a $500,000 grant from The Kresge Foundation to expand its counseling services that have helped many Detroit homeowners avoid foreclosure and remain in their homes. The Kresge Foundation announced the one-year grant on December 12, 2007. |
| MORE >> |
Joseph Tardella given prestigious award
2007 Carla Javits Ending Homelessness Leadership Award |
| Joseph Tardella, executive director of Southwest Counseling Solutions, has been honored with the prestigious 2007 Carla Javits Ending Homelessness Leadership Award. |
| MORE >> |
Lithuanian Hall construction honored
O'Brien Construction gets AGC award |
| As the general contractor of the Lithuanian Hall restoration, O’Brien Construction received a “2007 Build Michigan Award” from AGC Michigan. |
| MORE >> |
Mental Health "Empowerment Day"
Mental health consumers celebrate their recovery |
| More than 400 mental health consumers attended "Empowerment Day," an event organized by consumers to celebrate recovery from mental illness and advocate for improved mental health services. The event took place on May 30, 2008. |
| MORE >> |
