Designation Detr@it
Sweet Home Detroit from page 1
Jon Schey of Birmingham
grabs some food while party
goers eat and chat outside.
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ing other people understand how
awesome it is to live here," she said.
In September, Vadim Avshalumov,
27, will move Downtown as a result
of the LDF. He lived in Ann Arbor
but is moving to the city for a job
with Quicken as one of its Challenge
Detroit participants.
"I have studied
downtown revitaliza-
tion in academic and
professional ven-
ues," he explained,
"and I am very
excited to complete
the perspective with
an intimate experi-
ence by living here."
He is personally
Vadim
invested in work-
Avshalumov
ing with the Jewish
community and plans to host events
centered on that interest — such as
monthly Shabbat meals.
"I see this as an opportunity to
help fulfill anyone's Jewish needs
who wants it," Avshalumov said.
Ben Friedman, who moved to
lower Midtown in February, was
involved last August with Pitch for
Detroit, a main fundraising event
for LDF. (This year's Pitch for Detroit
event is planned for Aug. 26.)
"I've been pretty involved from
the get-go," he said, "and the com-
munity I have connected with is
incredible."
Friedman said the fund has been
very successful. "We had a meeting
with all of the recipients so far, and
it was a very diverse group whose
common interest is Detroit. It's clear
we all have a strong drive to help
this city move forward."
Last month, he and another
participant joined forces to clean up
a block on Woodward Avenue and
plant flowers there. "I like connecting
my events with other events going
on, so I'll host a dinner or brunch
that takes place before another event
in the city," he explained.
Though not an LDF recipient, Erik
Wodowski, 23, of West Bloomfield,
is moving to Moishe House in
August. Wodowski is very involved
with the Isaac Agree Downtown
Synagogue, which is how he first
heard of Moishe House. "I think it's
a great opportu-
nity to get to know
Detroit better and
create a commu-
nity," he said. "I
used to go into the
city just for special
events but that
has changed im-
mensely. I love corn-
Erik
ing down here and
Wodowski
seeing the changes
that are happening."
Residents of Moishe House get
subsidized rents; the amount
depends on how many events
residents host.
Josh Gershonowicz, who has
lived there for a year, says living in
Detroit is amazing.
"I'm always meeting new people,
having different experiences. It's a
great environment to be in," he said.
His favorite event was a bike tour of
the city and, later this month, he is
hosting another one in partnership
with LDF recipient Brooks.
The changes one sees in Detroit
are the result of a huge movement
to bring people back to the city,
and judging from the community
I witnessed at Moishe House, they
are not just superficial — these new
Detroiters are here to stay and con-
tinue building their community.
To apply or learn more, visit www.
livedetroitfund.org . Applicants
must be at least 21 years old. The
LDF is open to any Next Generation
leader. If LDF events are open to the
public, information will be posted on
CommunityNEXT's Facebook page
and sent in an email to its Iistserv;
sign up at www.communitynxt.com .
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July 19 • 2012
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