"Children learn more from what you are than what you teach."

- W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963)

A N N O U N C E M E N T S

DYP is Looking for Big Brothers & Big Sisters

A few hours a month can change a life forever

Detroit Young Professionals is teaming up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit to find caring mentors and role models that will help ensure the talented and gifted children in our community reach their potential. Children with a Big Brother or Big Sister build critical developmental assets such as caring, competence and confidence. These skills build their resilience and capacity to deal with the challenges they will face in their young lives, making them more likely to succeed as they transition through adolescence and into young adulthood.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

It's been proven - Big Brothers and Big Sisters' professionally supported mentoring programs have a significant and tangible positive impact on children's futures (plus their families, schools and communities). Independent research shows:

• 70% are less likely to begin using drugs
   

• 52% are less likely to skip school
   

• 33% are less likely to engage in violence
   

• 58% get better grades
   

• 65% show higher levels of self-confidence

GET INVOLVED

None of us would be where we are today without having someone to look up to and help show us the way. We're looking for adult volunteers ("Bigs") from all walks of life to help mentor local children ("Littles"), ages 7-14. We have a special focus on African American men. African American boys are at serious risk of not reaching a successful adulthood, and having a Big Brother they can relate to can introduce these kids to opportunities that will broaden their horizons and change their lives forever.

Community-Based Mentoring: Bigs meet Littles in the communities where they live on evenings and weekends two-to-four times each month for about 2-3 hours. They do things like play video games, make brownies, shoot hoops, run errands and hang out.

School-Based Mentoring: Bigs meet Littles at nearby elementary or middle school for at least one hour weekly to work with 1-3 students, ages 7 and up. They talk, make crafts projects, do homework and play games.

Sports Buddies: Big Brothers meet their Littles Brothers in a group once to twice a month to either play sports or attend a sporting event. Bigs model good sportsmanship, and provide the opportunity for children to experience fun sporting and recreational events that may have previously been out of reach.

LEARN MORE

For more information and to get involved, click here or visit www.bbbsdetroit.org.

DYP Executive Committee members host local movers and shakers at the Renaissance Club

Come learn more about DYP, meet cool people and find out ways to get involved!

Dara Munson, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit, will give a brief talk on the measurable impact and significant need for mentors in our community.

If you're interested in learning more about how you and your colleagues can make a real difference and help protect the future of our community, this is a meeting you don't want to miss.

DYP is teaming up with The Greening of Detroit to plant 24 trees in the brand new Cool Cities Park and along the street in the Focus: HOPE neighborhood near the border of Highland Park! Come out and participate in this fun team experience! Volunteers will meet at 9:00AM at the Cool Cities Park on the corner of Oakman Boulevard and Woodrow Wilson in Detroit.

A large area of Detroit's Focus: HOPE community (from West Davison to the Lodge, and from Hamilton Avenue to Linwood) has been designated a "Cool City" neighborhood by the State of Michigan, as part of the Michigan Cool Cities Initiative!

This designation comes with a $100,000 "catalyst" grant for a community development project in the neighborhood, and priority access to state grant funds and resources for creating a vibrant and revitalized community. This project was one of only three in Detroit to be given a Cool Cities award this year. In the past, Eastern Market, New Center, Corktown and several others have been awarded this designation.

The catalyst grant was used to fund the first phase of a new park at the corner of Woodrow Wilson and Oakman Boulevard, which was formerly a parking lot. This new park will be immediately adjacent to the Village of Oakman Manor, a new 55-unit apartment building for senior citizens. It is hoped that this location will eventually be used for outdoor theatrical and film presentations.

Overall, the project will change the face of a very important corner in our community, making it a hub for daytime and evening activity. The project will also provide new housing, new retail, and serve as a springboard for future redevelopment of this area of Detroit and Highland Park.

For more information and to get involved, contact info@detroityoungprofessionals.org.
 

The Mackinac Policy Conference is an annual event presented by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Over 1,700 top business, community and political leaders from across Michigan gather on Mackinac Island and identify key changes needed for building a stronger Michigan. Attendees of the conference will help shape an agenda that supports policy changes and political reform.

For the first time ever, the Chamber is "fusing the generations" at the conference. A special two-day Fusion Track will give young professionals and entrepreneurs a chance to share their thoughts on transforming the region, while mixing and mingling with the region's top business and political leaders. Fusion Track highlights include hearing from Robert Nardelli, CEO, Chrysler Corp., and Gov. Jennifer Granholm, as well as participating in a series of interactive sessions aimed at building a stronger region to attract and retain young talent.

The Fusion Track will take place on May 30-31, 2008. The price for members of Michigan young professional organizations is $450 ($550 for non-members) and includes transportation, two nights lodging (including one night in the Grand Hotel), food and the conference. Because you are part of a Michigan young professionals organization, you will receive the $450 price. Please use the promotion code FUM0508.

Space is limited. Click here to register and reserve your spot today.

For more information contact Christianne Sims at 313.596.0488 or csims@detroitchamber.com.

DYP is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing enriching professional development, social networking and civic engagement opportunities for young professionals and entrepreneurs in Metro Detroit. Through its initiatives, DYP connects remarkable people with one another to share knowledge and inspiration that stimulate personal, professional and community growth. DYP’s grassroots membership is geared toward passionate, optimistic, and visionary people from across all industries and sectors that share the common goal of moving Detroit forward and making the region a better place to live, work and play.

For more information, contact info@detroityoungprofessionals.org.