Skip to main content

ioby has closed its doors. Read more here.

Image selected by project leader
View photos

Whole Person Whole Community project

"Whole Person Whole Community Project: Cultivating Homes, People, Community, and Harvesting Hope"

Leader

Ross Harris

Location

Floyd Detroit , MI 48210

Impact areas

About the project

The Whole Person Whole Community Project: Cultivating Homes, People, Community, and Harvesting Hope aims to revitalize a vacant lot in Detroit, transforming it into a sustainable, livable home and a productive hoop house. Through funds raised, we will renovate a house to donate to a deserving family for two years, providing them not just shelter, but also a chance to improve their lives.

Adjacent to this house, we'll construct a hoop house - a sustainable, year-round gardening solution. The hoop house will serve a dual purpose; it will supply the family with fresh produce, while surplus yields will be sold to generate income, empowering them towards financial stability.

Your contribution to this project can sow seeds of hope, helping a family grow their own future. Join us in this transformative journey as we turn a vacant lot into a vibrant home, fostering resilience, self-sustainability, and a healthier community in Detroit.

The Steps

1. **July 31, 2023:** Officially kick off the project with a team meeting. We'll define roles and responsibilities, and establish communication channels for effective collaboration.

2. **August 1-14, 2023:** Conduct a detailed assessment of the vacant lot. Identify potential environmental and safety issues, and examine the soil quality, infrastructure, and landscape.

3. **August 15-31, 2023:** Secure all necessary permits and permissions from Detroit Land Bank and city council. Simultaneously, initiate a transparent and rigorous process to select the deserving family.

4. **September 1-30, 2023:** Clear the site, remove debris, and prepare the land. Start the renovation of the house on the lot, ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment.

5. **October 1-31, 2023:** Construct the hoop house using eco-friendly and locally sourced materials. Position it to maximize sunlight and wind exposure.

6. **November 1-14, 2023:** Complete the house renovation and hoop house construction. Inspect both structures to ensure they meet all necessary standards and regulations.

7. **November 15-30, 2023:** Finalize the donation paperwork, formally transfer the house and hoop house to the selected family.

8. **December 1-14, 2023:** Start the planting process in the hoop house in collaboration with local agricultural experts.

9. **December 15-31, 2023:** Provide a comprehensive orientation and training to the family on home and hoop house management, agricultural techniques, and financial management.

10. **Starting January 1, 2024:** Conduct monthly check-ins and site visits. Offer ongoing guidance, skill development and coaching, and facilitate connections with local markets for selling surplus produce.

Remember, our commitment to the family and the project doesn't end when the constructions are complete. The Whole Person Whole Community Project team will provide continued support and guidance throughout the two-year period, ensuring that the family thrives in their new environment.

Why we‘re doing it

The Whole Person Whole Community Project addresses multiple pressing issues in Detroit, transforming challenges into opportunities. 

In terms of social impact, our project combats the issue of homelessness and housing instability by providing a deserving family with a comfortable and secure home. The skills training and financial management education that we provide aim to break the cycle of poverty, enhancing their prospects for long-term economic stability.

Economically, the hoop house creates a micro-enterprise right at the family's backyard, empowering them with a sustainable source of income. The surplus produce sold to local markets not only bolsters their finances, but also stimulates local economy by offering fresh, locally-grown produce.

Environmentally, the project contributes to urban greening and sustainability. It transforms a vacant, unproductive lot into a thriving, green space that increases biodiversity and improves air quality. By using sustainable farming practices, the project promotes environmental stewardship, inspiring others in the community to adopt similar practices.

Our team is driven by the belief that everyone deserves a chance to lead a stable, fulfilling life. Each of us brings a deep passion for community service, sustainable living, and social equity to this project. We are inspired by the resilience of the Detroit community and are committed to making a positive, lasting difference. Through the "Green Phoenix Project," we envision a future where every vacant lot in Detroit becomes a symbol of hope and prosperity, sparking a city-wide transformation.

$0.28 still needed of $10,152.28