JJCDC is actively involved in several community revitalization initiatives. The first stage of each initiative is to increase the supply of affordable, newly constructed and/or renovated housing. Eliminating the negative influences within neighborhoods which suppress housing values, contribute to crime and decreases the quality of life of those who live there is of major importance.
Chalaph Veterans Home
The name “Chalaph” was taken from scripture, and means to “restore and rebuild,” and the first development (Chalaph I) was made possible through a $2.2 million grant from the Wayne County Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE). The Chalaph Veterans Home sits on 1.1 acres of a 5.3 acre site that was transferred to the Joy JEM Community Development Corporation. The goal is to build additional housing for veteran families on the remaining acres, which will be Chalaph II.
The residents of Chalaph Apartments will be single male or female veterans whose income is at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). This veteran’s facility is permanent supportive housing, not a transitional shelter. Our expectations are that veterans who are residing in transitional shelters will and are ready to get their lives together will be referred to Chalaph for placement in permanent housing. The next step for married individuals will be a move to Chalaph II.
The Chalaph Apartments are efficiencies with well-appointed kitchens and bathrooms and they will be fully furnished. The grounds will be landscaped with a pond (to retain storm water). There will be a patio in the rear of the building for outdoor fellowship. There will be a “community room” with tall tables, chairs and either a pool table or “shuffle board” for active recreation. There will also be a “living room” with sectional sofas, tables and a sitting area for passive recreation. Both rooms, for “resident fellowship,” will be equipped with 60-inch high definition televisions mounted on walls above TV credenzas and DVR’s for watching movies. Click Here to Learn More
Ravendale
The Ravendale Community is located in northeast Detroit near City Airport. Its boundaries are Gratiot on the north, East Outer Drive Boulevard on the east, Conner Avenue on the west and Harper/I-94 on the south. A Veterans and Senior Village is being proposed for this economically and physically challenged neighborhood. The proposed Veterans and Senior Village Project is an initiative being pursued as a joint venture between the Joy JEM & Love N Kindness CDC’s, in cooperation with residents and other leadership of the Community. This Community has experienced the same blighting trends and economic depression that most, if not all, Detroit neighborhoods have experienced. During the last twenty years of the 20th Century, the Ravendale Community received great leadership from the late Rev. Eddie Edwards, who, for his
work, received recognition from President George H Bush, Sr. The Joy JEM CDC made the decision to work with the Love N Kindness CDC was Created by Zachary Hicks, Pastor of Faith Clinic Church of God in Christ. The creators of the two Community Development Corporations want to restore the vision their Dad, Eddie Edwards, had for this Community and continue the work that the dynamic Pastor Edwards pioneered.
Currently, the homes in this Community are primarily occupied by senior citizens, who are “aging in place”. These elderly residents would welcome the opportunity to stay in their neighborhood, where they have developed relationships and reared families. There are numerous vacant and abandoned houses. They require an assessment to determine a schedule of strategic demolitions and rehabilitations. Certain dilapidated multi-purpose buildings near the Church will be demolished, to clear the way for development opportunities. An existing vacant elementary school building has great development potential.
The Church is operating transitional shelters for single veteran males, homeless veteran males and male veterans with children. The shelters have the capacity to house 25 male veterans and 42 homeless men and women with children. The Church is also developing a transitional shelter that will house just single women and women with children. The Love N Kindness and Joy JEM CDC’s are working with the Faith Clinic Church as an anchor institution and anchor location for the proposed initial Development Projects.
Camp Creation
The Joy JEM CDC is establishing a summer camp, for primarily inner city youth, in the Detroit metro area. The camp is the legacy of the late Reverend Eddie Edwards who operated the camp for 20 years. Swimming, hiking and other recreational activities will be offered, as well as opportunities to improve upon social and coping skills. The camp will enrich, enhance and support these youth in an environment rich in awareness of campers’ spiritual needs.
The Camp will be initially opened in the summer of 2014 for 45 to 60 days before the resumption of school in the fall. Eventually, the camp will be open year round and offer educational retreats and sports tournaments; with the goal of eventually becoming a self-sustaining operation. Partnerships will be created with select metro Detroit schools to offer an environment and facilities for week end educational enrichment retreats for teachers students and administrators. These retreats will be offered for weekend and weekdays. Click Here to Learn More
There are other Joy JEM efforts underway to provide services for families and individuals who are being tested by life’s trials and tribulations. Joy JEM is currently feeding homeless persons who are being permanently housed at the Neighborhood Services Organization’s 155 apartment complex on Oakman Boulevard in Detroit. Joy JEM is also providing mentoring services to homeless individuals at the Detroit Rescue Mission and the “Love 'N' Kindness” transitional shelter for Veterans in the Ravendale Community. Attached is our 13 point Joy JEM Master Plan with timelines.