The lively drumming of Nanou Dijapo matched the buzz of Detroit pride as hundreds working to maintain and improve Detroit neighborhoods poured into the Grand Riverview Ballroom at Cobo Center. Over a dozen Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation board members and staff attended the Annual Detroit Community Development Awards banquet to accept the honor of Community Development Corporation of the Year.
This title is given annually by Detroit LISC and Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) to an organization that has made an impact in its service area through the creation of commercial projects and programs that engage community members. With over 100 renovated homes, a new business incubator, Grand River WorkPlace, and collaboration with 1000+ volunteers for neighborhood maintenance, GRDC has earned this title for 2014! In his remarks, Tom Goddeeris, GRDC Executive Director, praises those that have collaborated to make this effort a reality. To see the video tribute to GRDC please use this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw23PiwQPt8
GRDC was in good company as other award recipients include the Detroit Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, Scripps Park Associates, and SER Metro-Detroit. This group of LISC/CDAD awardees show the true progress made in our city and a reason to have high hopes for the future. Last year, GRDC won the Bridget Vance Award for Outstanding Safety Initiative for their numerous efforts including a monthly neighborhood safety meeting, popular crime alert, and their work on the Neighborhood Benefits District (NBD). GRDC thanks LISC for their support throughout the years on programs to maintain Grandmont-Rosedale’s quality of life.
For more information about Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation please like them on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/GrandmontRosedaleDevelopment, and sign up for their weekly update by sending a request to info@grandmontrosedale.com.
The photo above shows GRDC President Bill Frey and GRDC Executive Director Tom Goddeeris at the banquet to honor GRDC as the CDC for 2014.