Asalaamu alaikum! Peace be upon you.
Last week, when Mike Duggan, the Mayor of Detroit, visited the Muslim Center Mosque and Community Center for a special iftar, he spoke passionately about the importance of bringing our neighborhoods back and of DREAM’s upcoming neighborhood Open House.
He talked about the difficult balance of removing blight in the city, while still preserving the beautiful homes that once defined Detroit’s landscape. In short, Mayor Duggan showed a real understanding of the challenges of a project like ours—and voiced a commitment to helping us succeed.
Our neighborhood is looking better than it has in some time. And yet, we know there are still many houses to fill—and, God-willing, many more homes to build one day.
However, this project has always been about more than fixing a few homes. And it’s about more than creating community service opportunities. Dream of Detroit is about community building—with all the complexities, frustrations, joys, and accomplishments that comes along with a goal like this. And that’s why we’re committed to this project for the long haul—because, by its very nature, it’s an ongoing process, in need of deep care and attention to sustain.
At one point during dinner, a member of the Muslim Center asked our District Manager—the mayor’s appointee to oversee our area of the city—what was the city’s plan for this neighborhood. The manager responded quickly and succinctly, “Dream of Detroit.” The next day, we held a special community meeting for our local neighbors, where many came out to express their appreciation for and support of DREAM’s work. We don’t seek politicians’ validation, but it’s important to note that the work of our community so far has been neither unseen nor unappreciated.
As this blessed month comes to a close, we want to say thank you. Your gifts—of financial support and of prayers—are what allow us to do this work and are appreciated more than you know. May your reward be with The Most Generous, The Giver of Gifts. Early prayers for a blessed Eid to you and your families.
Peace and blessings,
Mark Crain
Project Director
The Dream of Detroit team
