Dear DREAM Supporter,
As salamu alaykum! Peace be upon you.
As we enter the second week of our fundraising campaign, really our first like it in almost eight years, I want to start by saying thank you, and re-introducing you to Dream of Detroit.
What started as a charitable home rehab on an ailing block in 2013 has turned into a staffed community development organization that engages thousands of people and has a bold vision for tomorrow: to build new homes in a left-behind neighborhood, open innovative businesses on our economic main street, and engage ten times as many residents and volunteers in our organizing and service work.
Our mission is clear: to combine community organizing with housing and land development to revitalize our neighborhood and build a healthy community. And we have a real track record of rehabbing houses, bringing new economic activity to our area, and building relationships that help the residents in our neighborhood have the best quality of life possible.
On a personal note, I’m grateful to finally have the chance to lead DREAM full-time as Executive Director after years of growing this project as one volunteer among many, all of whom had other full-time endeavors. Giving this organization my total attention has been a dream 😉 for a long time, and the conversations I’ve recently had with people — ranging from our earliest supporters to new senior foundation relationships, to folks both young and old — have left me humbled, hopeful, and inspired about our organization’s future.
And in the spirit of inspiration and the future, I want to formally introduce you to the new and inspired look of Dream of Detroit:
Every part of our new logo means something:
I’m so grateful that you’ve been along this ride with us so far. Please stay close as we enter into this next phase.
Check out our new website when you get a chance.
And don’t forget to chip in to our crowdfunding campaign. Remember, every small gift matters, and the sharing is just as important. My best to you and yours — and looking forward to sharing more with you over this next month.
Peace and blessings,
Mark Crain
Executive Director
