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The Michigan Central / Church St. Community Impact Fund has awarded $42,070 in microgrants to five local organizations poised to make an impact on their respective neighborhoods.

Administered by The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the fund’s inaugural grantees are Mexicantown Community Development Corporation; Spread Art Inc.; North Corktown Neighborhood Association; Train Station Neighbors Block Club; and United Community Housing Coalition (UCHC). 

The $6,000 grant to UCHC is being used to increase resident participation in tenant council meetings at Clement Kern Gardens in Corktown, which will be rebuilt as part of a City of Detroit affordable housing initiative.

“We’re meeting with our residents to share ideas, concerns and suggestions for making the temporary relocation process work smoothly for everyone,” said tenant council member Shandron McLendon. “As we continue to build trust, we can connect more residents to the resources they need.”

“This grant demonstrates our holistic approach to engagement,” said Cornetta Lane-Smith, Michigan Central’s director of community engagement. “And the fund is endowed, to make sure that resources for this work will be around for a long time.”

The next round of grant recipients will be announced this summer.