Hope for the Hood: Bringing Detroit Back from the Brink!
Detroit is a city renowned for its resilience and determination. From our storied past in the automotive industry to our vibrant music scenes, the Motor City has always epitomized potential and promise. However, a recent WalletHub article has painted a grim picture, labeling Detroit as the least happy city in the United States. While this news is disheartening, it underscores the crucial work being undertaken by Levadeh, our nonprofit organization.
At Levadeh, we're dedicated to bringing hope to the ‘hoods of Detroit, MI. Through a range of programs focused on health, education, relationships, and ownership - we empower individuals and communities to experience abundance. Our mission is clear : to provide courses, resources and support to our neighbors to help them live life well. It just so happens that our mission intentionally fosters happiness and well-being, tackling the underlying issues behind Detroit’s ranking.
The Paradigm Shift: Embracing Abundance
To truly transform Detroit, we must adopt a mindset of abundance. At Levadeh, we believe that Abundance is life supported & enjoyed in the community around you! We don’t deny that can be a difficult shift, considering oppressive acts from our own government, a history of racism & violence, a mauled education system, gentrification, and so much more horrific history that Detroiters’ have experienced! Again, we have been and will continue to be resilient. Rather than dwelling on deficiencies, we celebrate the possibilities within our city and the potential of its residents. Abundance means creating a sense of security, hope, opportunity, and access for all. By prioritizing our H.E.R.O. values of health, education, relationship, and ownership, we pave the way for a brighter, happier Detroit.
Our Approach to Happiness in Detroit
Health and Wellness: We provide resources and courses focused on mental, emotional, and physical well-being, enhancing our quality of life.
Education & Development: Knowledge is empowerment. Through our courses and educational initiatives, we equip individuals with tools to do more than survive! We help our neighbors and members to thrive.
Relationship Building: Strong relationships and a sense of belonging are fundamental to happiness. Our events and initiatives unite people, fostering a supportive community.
Economic Empowerment: Financial stability is the paramount to well-being, but the step before that and what we believe to be the actual key is accountability! We offer resources and support to help individuals engage their personal power, achieve their goals, and build their legacies, including financially!
Highlighting Success Stories
We've seen firsthand the transformative impact of our programs. One of our most recent successes was seeing our neighbors become inspired to work out daily, and eat healthy meals including recipes we disperse at our Weekend Windup! Every Sunday, we meet up at 4pm at Dorais Park to move our bodies and interact! We’d love to see you there, too!
Showcasing Partnerships
Our partnerships with local organizations and community groups amplify our efforts and extend our reach. By collaborating closely, we maximize resources and create more meaningful change together. For instance, our upcoming partnership with the first state-approved Wellness Center at Vernon Chapel A.M.E. will bridge the gap in health maintenance for our neighbors and underserved communities throughout our city! The Everybody Votes Campaign is a voter registration drive that is focused on reminding our neighbors of the power of their voice and their vote at our polls!
Sharing Our Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, we envision a Detroit where every resident has the opportunity, awareness, and access to thrive. Our long-term goals include opening our headquarters which will provide a home for our program offerings and services to support community wellness and even open affordable housing throughout the D, aiming to create lasting positive change in our city.
Emphasizing Measurable Outcomes
We are committed to achieving measurable outcomes that demonstrate real progress. For example, by growing our memberships, which will give individuals access to our collection of courses, we aim to showcase how our programs positively impact the community.
Providing Transparency
Transparency is fundamental to our approach. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, we're committed to sharing information about our funding, expenses, and governance. This ensures that supporters understand how their contributions are making a difference.
Acknowledging Challenges and Solutions
We recognize the challenges facing Detroit! We live here and we feel the impact of our tumultuous history. At Levadeh, we're actively working to address them. By being transparent about the hurdles we face and our strategies for overcoming them, we build trust and deepen our connection with the community.
How You Can Get Involved
Join us in bringing abundance and hope to Detroit:
Fill Out Our Survey: Share your insights to shape our future programs.
Donate: Your contributions fund our initiatives and support our mission.
Volunteer: Dedicate your time and skills to strengthen Detroit.
Participate: Attend our events and courses to learn and grow with us.
Membership: Stay tuned for our upcoming membership program to join our intentional community.
Follow us on social media to stay updated and connect with others who share our vision for Detroit.
Together, let’s transform Detroit into a city where everyone thrives. Join us in empowering individuals and enriching our community. Together, we can bring hope to the heart of Detroit and make it a beacon of abundance.
Be encouraged, y’all!
LaVeta Davenport
Founder & Executive Director
Levadeh Organization
In case you were wondering… Fremont, Calif., is the happiest city in the U.S. and Detroit is the least happy, according to an analysis released Feb. 27 by personal finance website WalletHub.
To determine the nation's happiest cities, analysts compared more than 180 of the largest U.S. cities across 29 metrics. Metrics pertained to three key dimensions — emotional and physical well-being, income and employment, and community and environment — and ranged from the depression rate to average leisure time spent per day. Read more about the methodology here.