Detroit News: Metro area gets spring makeover

College-age volunteers kick off rehab projects

Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- For Adam Harris, cleaning up nearby neighborhoods is just as critical as traveling across the country to rebuild areas destroyed by natural disasters.

As a veteran participant of the United Way Alternative Spring Break program, the University of Michigan-Dearborn senior has spearheaded an effort that's made Detroit the pilot city for this year's firstoutreach project beyond hurricane relief efforts.

Since 2006, the alternative break program has drawn about 400 college-age volunteers to hurricane-ravaged regions in Mississippi and Louisiana; now they have come to Detroit.

"I threw the idea out we can revitalize Detroit during this economic downturn," said Harris, 21, of Southfield, who approached his local United Way chapter about the opportunity last March.

"If we are working here in the city, people will begin to care and come together socially."

This week, more than 60 students ages 16-26 from Michigan, California, Florida, New York, Ohio and Illinois are working with Metro Detroit service agencies, rehabilitating homes and building ramps for disabled individuals. The projects, in Detroit, Pontiac and Dearborn, serve as the kick-off for Alternative Spring Break 2008.

"Detroit is a great example of the first community outside the Gulf to have young leaders working to advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better tomorrow," said Sally Fabens, spokeswoman for the United Way of America.

"Once the young people see first-hand the issues communities face they want to bring their involvement home to make changes where they live."

Five teams with about 10 students each are splitting their time between beautification projects and cleaning parks and removing graffiti.

Virgle Story III, a part-time student at Southwest Community College in Memphis, Tenn., who also works for program sponsor FedEx, said the experience has been humbling.

"I wanted to come and experience the lifestyle of Detroit. I'm getting to know who I'm helping," said Story, 23. "This is a good city that needs rebuilding."

You can reach Christine Ferretti at (734) 462-2289 or cferretti@detnews.com.

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