Urban Neighborhoods Initiatives

Founded in 1997 to transform an empty church in a neighborhood suffering from gang activity, drug use, and prostitution into a center for neighborhood development, Urban Neighborhoods Initiatives has since expanded to provide a range of youth development, economic development, and education programs in Detroit’s Springwells community.  The nonprofit’s work is credited with revitalizing three city parks and developing a land stewardship program that engages residents to maintain over 10 acres of land in the community.  To help meet area residents’ transportation needs and provide job training for youth, the nonprofit created a social enterprise, Southwest Rides.  In addition to selling affordable bikes and skateboards, the enterprise has an “earn-a-bike” program, which provides free bikes to youth who complete a 6-week education program focused on bike maintenance and safety.

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POINT (-83.1261928 42.3050952)