Welcome to Detroit!

 

This summer YouthWorks is going to be launching a site in Detroit. You’ve probably heard statistics or various stories of decline, bailouts and bankruptcy, but I’d prefer to tell the story of a city that held as tightly to the American Dream as anywhere else in the country.

 

Mid-century, there were all the right pieces in place for economic prosperity. The prominence of the auto-industry was unparalleled, with no domestic or global competitors that could compete with Detroit. During WWII Detroit became known as the “Arsenal of Democracy” and many Detroiters consider the manufacturing of Motor City to be one of the key factors in the Allies’ victory. Combined with Great Migration in the 1940s–1960s, the city, industry and population skyrocketed. Detroit was the fifth largest city in America, a cultural icon and the automotive capital of the world.

 

But as they say, the wheels fell off of Motor Town. The industry didn’t keep pace with globalization, jobs and people moved outside of city limits, and the recession pushed the city to its last limits before declaring bankruptcy in 2013.

 

The story of Detroit is not entirely unique – the entire Rust Belt has felt the boom and bust of manufacturing jobs. I grew up 60 miles south of Detroit and I’ve personally seen the toll a city takes when the main industry struggles to compete.

 

So why come to Detroit?

 

In my experience with YouthWorks, I’ve learned not to doubt a city when they’re down. Detroit’s heritage still evokes pride in their city, and their struggles create resiliency. Detroiters haven’t given up on their home.

 

While you won’t see this in the headlines, there is positive momentum. Downtown is being revitalized, the non-profit sector is active, volunteers are abundant and the reality of urban decay is being addressed rather than ignored.

 

Visiting Detroit with YouthWorks, you will get to come alongside the good that is already happening as we share in the pride of Motor City heritage and work ethic. There are issues in Detroit well beyond our capacity to address, but our hope is that we can invest in and serve those working for the betterment of the city.

 

Click here to find out more about your mission trip to Detroit.

 

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Trevor Bryant brings three summers of site staff experience into his role as Area Director. Having been interested in Youth Ministry since high school, Trevor developed a passion for working in communities during college. His role as Area Director is a perfect intersection of these two passions. Beyond the work he does for YouthWorks, Trevor can be found in a coffee shop, thrift shopping or becoming a world-famous blogger.