"We Got Us!" Tiny Homes for Teens

We are about 70% done with construction with a grand opening date scheduled for this summer. Tiny Homes will be built in the summer and those will have a grand opening date in October. 

We will develop 4 tiny homes on the lot into temporary living homes and we will develop 4 other homes into makerspace/entrepreneurial spaces for youth. Youth will help our contractors build these homes where other youth can employ as a safe haven to call home as they heal, and find resources and support. Additionally, the makerspaces will be used as a collaborative space where youth will explore their creative making skills and activate their entrepreneur spirits through various business initiatives and community building.

We also want the project to be a place for the community where the spatial experiences trigger body and mind, establishing connections between people, ideas and feelings. Where our youth will engage with community leadership and social action.

We will measure youth engagement and use surveys, interviews and focus groups to measure program experience/impact. We will also look at youth achievement at school such as behavior and academics, has those been impacted? Also measure leadership development among our youth.

Links:

• Fox 2 Interview on Hub

We started construction on the Hub a few months ago and we are half-way to the finish line. We have an anticipated open date of June 2022. We initiated a construction skills building initiative for formerly incarcerated Detroit male youth, between the ages of 15-21, to learn construction skills, mentored by our contractors, and help build a transformational project right in their neighborhoods. They have been working hard and learning so many skills that will last a lifetime. For our Giving Tuesday Campaign, we are asking people to donate to the Hub in the form of supplies and essentials and their names will be placed on every donation item. We are excited for our grand opening and so thankful to community for helping us get here.

Links:

• Recent article about our work