Thousands of Detroiters joined activities across the city for the ninth annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day on Aug. 1. More than 200 groups – from block clubs to churches to businesses – participated in more than 250 events in the annual display of citywide work and pride.

Activities ranged from gospel concerts to sports tournaments and exhibitions, from back-to-school fairs to more than 100 cleanup and beautification projects.

“It was our biggest and most far-reaching Neighborhoods Day ever, with events in every ZIP code in the city of Detroit,” says Luther Keith, executive director of ARISE Detroit! “The strong sponsorship support from business, foundations and volunteers is a clear sign that more people are recognizing that creating vibrant neighborhoods is essential for Detroit’s comeback.”

“Next year will be the 10^th anniversary and we expect even bigger things,” says Keith.

ARISE Detroit is a grantee of The Kresge Foundation’s Detroit Program, which uses a comprehensive strategy to promote long-term economic opportunity in the foundation’s hometown. The strategy includes efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and build a vibrant Woodward Corridor, along with support for arts and culture, regional transit, early childhood education and the enhancement of civic capacity.