>> ... Next Generation ...
Pitch for Detroit 2015
Strengthening communities through partnership.
I
Dockery is just one of countless
n 1933, the first Detroit Jewish
Detroiters who are compassionate and
Community Center broke ground at
relentless in their efforts to support
Woodward Avenue and Holbrook
— just a mile away from this year's youth and strengthen their communities.
The impact of NEXTGen Detroit
Pitch for Detroit funding recipient: North
philanthropy extends much further
End Detroit's Bradby Park.
when we work with local partners like
The annual NEXTGen Detroit
Dockery. We are able to build on her
event, which will be held Aug. 23 on
existing expertise and the energy in the
Belle Isle, brings together more than
North End neighborhood to address
800 members of the Detroit Jewish
a need that was self-identified by the
community of every age to play kickball,
community. Furthermore, we can build
enjoy free food and festivities, and
on this relationship in the future as
support an important Detroit cause. As
we learn from one another about the
a recent graduate deeply passionate
similarities of our two communities
about engaging my Jewish peers in
— and discover how we can work
the revitalization of Detroit, Pitch for
together to revitalize Greater Detroit in
Detroit is my favorite day of the year.
a way that lifts us all.
Back in the 1930s,
Today, many generations
Jews living in the North
since that first JCC, our Detroit
End Detroit neighborhood
Jewish community is thriving.
faced some of the same
This affords us the ability
challenges that North
to support the needs of our
End residents face today,
community in many ways, such
many struggling to access
as hosting Pitch for Detroit.
the resources they need
So much more than a kickball
to support their families.
tournament, Pitch for Detroit
The JCC provided Jewish
offers us the opportunity to
families with a crucial
both strengthen our own
space to participate in
Hayley Sakwa
community and extend its
community programs,
Co-Chair,
boundaries, leveraging our
stay healthy and active,
Pitch for
collective power to become a
and simply come
Detroit
catalyst for change for others.
together.
I feel so excited and blessed to be
With thousands of children living
a part of Pitch for Detroit for the third
in the North End today, Bradby Park
year in a row, and I hope you'll join
provides that same vital space to help
me this year in supporting our Jewish
kids and families grow and thrive. It
community and our Detroit community
offers afterschool programs, sports
as we partner with our neighbors in
leagues, summer meals and community
North End Detroit.
events like a Father's Day picnic — that
With your help, we plan to raise
brings more than 1,000 people to the
$30,000, which will enable Bradby
park each year to celebrate!
Park to reopen its indoor space to offer
Despite this energy and involvement,
kids' activities during winter months,
Bradby Park's indoor space is closed
renovate its baseball and football fields
due to disrepair, its sports fields are
and build a gazebo to offer shade. Plus,
overgrown, and there is no shaded area
the whole day is so much fun!
to offer shelter on hot days.
Come by Belle Isle on Aug. 23 to
Amidst these challenges, the
grab food, play kickball and experience
collective goals of the North End Detroit
the energy and excitement that I feel
community are being championed
everyday living in Detroit. There will
through the efforts of dedicated
be music and activities for the whole
residents like Patricia Dockery. As
family.
a lifetime resident of the area and
To sponsor the event, donate as
executive director of a nonprofit that
an individual or play in the kickball
cares for local at-risk youth, Dockery is
tournament, contact Rachel Taubman at
leading the effort to revitalize Bradby
taubman@jfmd.org or visit Federation
Park by identifying public and private
online.
partners to bring needed resources to
See you on the field! ❑
the area.
Bradby Park is a play space for thousands of children in the North End
neighborhood in Detroit.
The Robot Garage, one of the many programs hosted at Bradby Park
Players and supporters enjoy a free, kosher lunch at Pitch for Detroit 2014.
64
August 13 • 2015