Biking
Though the Motor City streets are designed for widespread automobile use, only about 25% of Detroiters can afford to own their own car. Public transportation does not service all areas of the city reliably, and transportation is always an issue in the city, especially for youth. The US Social Forum in collaboration with King Solomon Church, The Hub and BikeIt are collecting donations of bicycles and bicycle parts, tools, helmets, and locks for participant use at the Social Forum so that transportation to and from Cobo Hall, Wayne State, and other areas of the city are easily and cheaply accessible. When the Forum is over, the bicycles and tools will be passed over to the Detroiters that want and need them. Interested churches, community centers, youth groups, and/or small businesses will use the bicycles and grow the city’s capacity and interest in bicycle transportation. For this to happen we need work brigades to help accumulate bike parts, tools, and bicycles, help organize the bicycles for maintenance and storage, and work with our local bicycle groups to provide maintenance trainings to open a satellite shop at King Solomon Church during and possibly after the end of the Social Forum. Bicycle using, sharing, and use for small business will be promoted during the USSF as a way to make alternatives to motorized travel easily accessible, hoping to reduce the carbon footprint of commuting as well as enable residents to become healthier through exercise. We hope to work with GreenWays for greater bike access in the city during the forum. Materials needed: donated bikes and $5,000 start up capital.
Hush House
The Hush House brings together communities of experience constituted by regular people who we meet every day, people like you, people like us. Together, we become the solution to every challenge that works to diminish our humanity through our quality of living. We are located in one of the poorest post-industrial communities of Detroit, MI. USA. In this space of deep deprivation there a wealth is divine possibility and inspiration.
The Hush House is working with a group of students on leadership projects
June 22nd, 23rd and 24th, from 9 am to 1 pm.
We have three major projects:
Field of Dreams, Hopes and Desires
This project is a large walking Labyrinth (designated by a pathway) that will culminate in a sitting/meditation/contemplation spot in the center. We will pick up trash and debris in the area on the vacant grass lot and cutting the grass which is well over 3 feet tall.
Playground Repair
The playground in our neighborhood is currently in very bad shape and is unusable. We will repair the play equipment including putting swings up, fixing play structures, cleaning the park and adding additional play equipment.
Porch Repair
Finally we are also building a porch for a resident in need in our neighborhood.
All three projects are in close proximity to each other in the Northwest Goldberg neighborhood, at Wabash and Marquette.
Change a community and change a life!