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BE WELL, DETROIT

AuthorHouse

CHAPTER 1

For Peace And Prosperity

Over the past three decades I have watched this city gradually disappear. Many people, who worked in Detroit, held on to living in Detroit into the 1980's. Some people have stayed and some have moved in during those three decades. Many have left and the city has been disappearing. Since I first began writing down my ideas for transforming Detroit, lots of changes have taken place. There are people and businesses that are coming back or coming for the first time. They want to be a part of the new, really great Detroit!

People want to come to Detroit. They want to play in the city. It's just that one needs to watch their back so closely, that people are deterred. They don't want to be accosted at gun point for their vehicle and they don't want to come up against a drug addict who wants to steal from them and may harm them in the process. This city will be back and be great again, when it is healed. It is the healing process that I speak of here, now. It is time to heal Detroit.

I speak of healing by way of education.

There was a time when the public schools did a great job of educating nearly all of Detroit's students. There are some things that need to be put into place in order for that to be the case again. When the public schools have leadership with integrity, wisdom and the tools necessary to deal with the problems that Detroit has, we will succeed. The leaders will look at what is missing and have some clarity about what needs to be put in place in order to transform the public school district into a successful school district. It is then that the city will once again have an opportunity to be successful as well.

A successful school district addresses the needs of its community. When the true needs, the underlying issues are addressed, we will begin the process of healing Detroit.

When it is clearly understood what is needed and we put that in, we will succeed. Detroit will be a destination for world travelers. They will come to see the transformation. They will smile, they will have joy in their hearts, they will see the true peace that comes with being healed, being responsible and living into the possibility that living is. It is in The Lord's Prayer that we pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven." To live life as God intended and having life be Heaven on Earth, will come with trust in God and living as God requests that we live our lives. It is through love, patience and understanding that we will thrive.

The educational needs of many of the students in the city of Detroit go far beyond reading and math. A strong curriculum that addresses the self esteem of each student will transform this district. When all of our children see the greatness in themselves, when they see who they really can be, when they are given the opportunity to dream and use their imaginations to invent their lives, they will be able to rise above the issues that have been holding generations of families back from accomplishing great success along with being truly peaceful and happy. Throughout the years we have celebrated many success stories! It is time for many more.

I look forward to the day that Detroit is thriving, new neighborhoods are springing up and the public schools are once again doing an excellent job at educating all of the children in Detroit.

Why? For the love of a city that once was thriving and prosperous, filled with people who were happy and satisfied, living the American dream. For that to be, again. For pleasure and joy. For shopping and fun and games. For smiles and peace.

Who Is Detroit?

Detroit is a big Midwestern city that has been disappearing because of the poverty, drug use, violence and a school district that has not addressed the needs of the community.

Detroit is the Motor City, Motown, the Home of the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, the Detroit Red Wings and maybe once again the Detroit Pistons. Detroit has a cultural center with world class museums and entertainment. Detroit is rich with incredible architecture and art! Detroit is Eastern Market. Detroit is great restaurants and bars. Detroit is a city on the beautiful Detroit River. Detroit is a city in the fabulous state of Michigan! Detroit is a variety of neighborhood communities that thrive peacefully with residents who are respectfully appreciative of one another. Detroit is Mexican Village and Greektown and the eastside and the westside and Woodward Avenue. You can get to Canada by way of the Tunnel, the Ambassador Bridge or on a boat from Detroit. As the hub for many diversified cities and communities in southeast Michigan, Detroit brings people together for work and play. There are colleges and universities, lots of places to learn things and take kids to learn things, too!

Detroit is a city who has fallen apart because of the deeply rooted issues that have not been addressed and dealt with for decades. Parts of her are beat up, trashed up, broken down and have not been tended to for decades. It is sad to drive through parts of Detroit and see just how badly she has fallen down.

Detroit is also a city on her way back. Lots of people are working on having Detroit be great again. Many of the old ways that have not worked are beginning to change! Lots of people are believers! It is truly heartening that people are rallying to create Detroit to be great again!

Detroit is the big city that suburbanites delight in coming to for special events that include, sports and dinner and culture. Gathering with friends in the big city is enjoyable. People who live in Detroit like to live in a city that is happening and has visitors that contribute to its economy and bustle!

Detroit is Belle Isle and other parks, many of them waiting for tender loving care. Detroit could be such a beautiful city, especially considering that she is positioned on the Detroit River. It is time that we utilize the river to its fullest extent in Detroit.

Detroit is new business along with some of the old business. She is being reinvented. There are teams of people planning a future Detroit and let me tell you, the plans are absolutely incredible!

Detroit is not a shopping Mecca, except for the strip malls, the liquor stores, the phone and the dollar stores, and the gas stations. When the problems associated with crime became rampant, the downtown shopping district could not be maintained any longer. When Detroit is healed we can build up our shopping district again. Things are starting to happen downtown. A central location for some really great shopping is part of what makes a city great.

Detroit is getting ready for all the pieces to come together, to thrive and be joyful. Prosperity and peace for all of Detroit will be here soon. You are invited to believe and if you see the opportunity to contribute and make a difference, go for it, make a difference!

How Do We Create the Peace.... eliminate the Violence.... eliminate the Automobile stealing.... eliminate the Problems Associated With Drugs.... eliminate the Killing or Harming of People?

We create a public educational system that is set up to win and educate people such that they can choose responsibility.

Presently, this is not occurring in many of the public schools. When one cannot read and/or has self esteem issues, choosing responsibility for some is not an option. Choosing to have a baby is what comes up, a lot. Choosing to do drugs comes up. Illegal drugs are a serious problem in Detroit. Much of the crime in Detroit is drug related. Ultimately those choices frequently lead directly to poverty and a struggle, then the cycle repeats itself. Often times, all of that leads to absentee parents, with grandparents now raising the next generation and that may not be an ideal situation.

There is lots of struggling in the city of Detroit. Poverty, depression, drug use, having to use a bus as transportation in a city with so much crime it can be fearful and on a bus system that can be difficult to maneuver from location to location due to a shrinking city all contribute to the struggling.

Education, Education, Education! That is how we will transform this city. Along with teaching reading, math and science we need to focus on the issues at hand; generational poverty, children having children, violence and low self esteem being such that a great life is not part of the belief system for many. These issues can be addressed in mandatory Life Skills or Home and Family Living type courses that would include, Health and Well Being, Financial Responsibility, Career Awareness and Guidance, Parenting Courses and a Human Sexuality Program that is Abstinence Based.

Education! Education! Education!

Who Is this Book For?

This book is for those who would like to see Detroit (or any city for that matter) be fabulous, vibrant, fun and safe again.

This book is for people who are curious about what has gone on in this city to contribute to it's falling apart, it's disappearing, the poverty and the crime. This book is for people who want to know what could be put in place that would change the course of continued struggle, poverty and crime to a course of peace, prosperity and joy for all.

This book is for people who are ready to be a part of the solution.

This book is for people who have not quite seen the possibility of Detroit being a peaceful, beautiful and a vibrant place. Many doubt that it is possible. They resist the bold speaking that Detroit will be safe and great again. They have not yet taken the stand that peace, prosperity and joy are within our grasp. The doubters are invited to believe that when the school district has a wise plan that addresses the needs of her constituents and the plan is carried out with affinity and boldness, it will be possible to transform this city by way of the educational system.

This book is for people who want some guidance as to what they might have to offer up in the way of volunteerism and contribution. This book is to motivate people to see that they are the change agents and they can be a part of the solution.

There are many opportunities for people to contribute to the healing, the well being of Detroit. Go online and check out the websites, there is a place for everyone to contribute. You are invited to explore and connect with what will create satisfaction for you and take the action needed to be satisfied.

More specifically this book addresses the public school system and what is presently missing, that is contributing to Detroit not being peaceful and prosperous. When things are missing and the business at hand is not being taken care of, things tend to fall apart and disappear. That is what has happened to Detroit. Some changes need to take place. When the changes are in place, we will see the disease and the underlying causes dissipate and the transformation will take place.

Do You Want to Be A Part of the solution?

If so, read on, look for your opportunity and take action, make something happen. You are invited to be a part of creating some joy and responsibility.

Who are you, really? We know that contributing is satisfying. There are people waiting to plant a tree with you! You could assist with athletics. Maybe you like cleaning or sprucing up a neighborhood or a park, you get to choose and take satisfaction in your contribution. Gather your friends and brainstorm a project up and have some fun being a part of the solution! Find a school, develop a plan and go see if they like your plan or ask them what they need and see if you can work together on creating a difference making project. Join in with the experienced, work with and learn from them.

Life happens out of the conversations that we are. One day Detroit will be an incredible city again. I see a city beyond anything that we have seen before in a city. Peacefulness, beauty, recreation, joy, prosperity, order, excitement, pleasure, fitness, and well being that are all working together synchronistically to create healthy people and a healthy economy. Maybe we need some billboards speaking those words, out loud, for everyone to become enrolled into. If you can see it, enroll your friends and come play, come work, come be a part of the transformation. Come be a part of transforming and creating one of the greatest city on the planet!

We are in a time of transition. Bad things may still happen. Pay attention, do not be blind to the possibility of crime and destruction happening. With the transformation of the educational system will come the lessening of crime and destruction. Be wise in your choices and locations.

Planning Is Crucial

If we are going to transform this city, the educational system needs a Plan of Action that addresses the needs of its constituents.

Over the past three decades simply getting students enrolled on the first day of school has been an issue that has contributed to many of the problems that have created the breakdown of the district and the city. It has been a practice in the city of Detroit for students to show up and register over a period of weeks and that is insanity when it comes to staff distribution, supplies and getting the year started.

In order to get organized in a school, we need to know who will be enrolled into the school. The school needs to know how many teachers are required in order to conduct the business of educating students. In years past there has been a lot of transiency in Detroit. Families do a lot of moving and there are many students who simply do not show up until a week or two or three after the first day of school. Efficiency and effectiveness at the beginning of the school year are not possible under these circumstances.

Mandatory registration of all students in Wayne County must be completed by July 15. Central Offices need time to do the work of placing students in the most appropriate school. With a shrinking city and a shrinking school district there needs to be a Plan of Action and it needs to be carried out with integrity and heart and soul. Registration needs to be complete by July 15. Wayne County would be the goal, rather than the City of Detroit, because of the many charter schools and cities that neighbor Detroit who have opened their doors for enrollment. That would greatly assist them as well.

Parents need to be made aware of this registration due date and take action. This due date needs to be published on the front of every news publication throughout the county every day, beginning in May and going through July 15. TV and email alerts would be helpful, as well. The parents of every student who was previously enrolled in Wayne County, who doesn't get registered by July 15, will need to be contacted by the school where the child was last enrolled and be asked where they intend to register their child. Parents will be told that they will be notified about where their child(ren) will be attending school as soon as that has been determined.

Parents who fail to register their students by the registration deadline need to be required to attend a series of Parenting Workshops, beginning with a workshop on "The Importance of Registering Your Student On Time." When a child is not maintaining a "B" average, having an Attendance problem or behaving "inappropriately," parents must be required to take a series of Parenting Workshops. Most often when a child is having an issue or multiple issues it is the parents who could use the support to assist their child in getting back on track. It is the responsibility of parents to make sure that their children get to school on time each and every day and they support their children in cooperating with teachers and other staff members, as well as getting their work completed. When students are having problems, it is the parents to whom we need to extend support and guidance. Workshops could be that support that would help parents in guiding and nurturing their children toward success and happiness.

Registration of all students in Wayne County must be completed by July 15.

In Detroit, we need to get the map out after Registration and figure out who will go where. First to Register, first to be enrolled at the school that is chosen by the parents. There is only so much room in a class for students. Detroit has been known to have some schools with very low enrollment and small class sizes and at the same time there will be a school across town or around the corner with two times as many children in each classroom. This is unfair to the students and to the teachers who have twice the number of students to teach. Equal and fair is appropriate and contributes to everyone's well being and success. When every school is set up fairly and set up to win, we will eliminate many problems associated with registration in the past. As the city gets her neighborhoods planned and we know where the residential areas will be, we can build neighborhood schools and create communities that revolve around the schools again. Right now we need to work with what we have, a transitioning city.
(Continues...)

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Excerpted from BE WELL, DETROIT by Dana Coyne. Copyright © 2013 Dana Coyne. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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