Et cetera : A community in need; a community in motion

Members Corey Milligan and Zach Young paint walls in a public housing unit at Atherton East.

By Jesse Crouch, Maple 4

Maple 4 arrived to a sunny, fair weathered Flint, MI on Thursday May 8th to serve with the Flint Housing Commission. Committed to providing residents with decent, affordable housing to help them reach their full potential, the Flint Housing Commission (FHC) manages 1248 public housing units and 963 section 8 subsidy vouchers. The team is assisting in the renovation of vacant public housing units so they can be made available to families at risk of homelessness. The experience so far has been incredibly eye opening for Maple 4.

Apprehensive of Flint’s reputation, Maple 4 was inspired to find an amiable, welcoming, and hopeful city. Apparent in community based organizations and non-profits, there is a steadfast hardiness and love for the city amidst a generation long struggle against declining industry, flight, blight, and desperation. The team looks forward to serving with several such organizations this round.

The love for the city and its people has been most apparent in the passionate and resolute work of the Flint Housing Commission Staff. Frank Woods, the Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator for FHC, initiates programs and mentorships with residents to help them receive the education and experience they need to become self sufficient. The team was inspired to hear Mr. Woods speak on the value of the importance of his work and the community needs it addresses. “Changing mindsets based on relationships is how you change community” he told us, explaining the power of arranging mentors for tenants.

The public housing units Maple 4 has been renovating have required thorough cleaning and an entirely new coat of paint, providing an entirely new opportunity for the new residents. This idea has helped the team stay motivated through the monotony that is painting. With each finished wall and baseboard the team gives families a fresh start enabling empowerment through responsibility with a quality living situation. In the first week Maple 4 completed 2 units with one close behind making for 3 fewer families on the street in Flint this coming week. In other units the team will be installing drywall, bathtubs, floors and cabinets as needed.

On Saturday, May 17th, Maple 4 had the opportunity to serve with the FHC as they opened up their section 8 housing wait list for the first time since 2006. Throughout the day over 5,000 people came to sign up. Serving in this capacity allowed us to have a first hand experience with the community Maple 4 are serving: families facing a lifelong struggle against insufficient resources, education, and health care. Statistics became people; stories became faces. The team has come to the right place at the right time.