Detroit Mower Gang Reclaiming Abandoned City Parks

A community group, the Detroit Mower Gang, is taking their urban renewal campaign to Detroit's parks. The group's Motown Mowdown event this Saturday, May 25, will be a 24-hour marathon of freshening up closed and disused city parks. It's the quintessential "grassroots" effort, as the Detroit Free Press aptly called it.Detroit Mower Gang Reclaiming Abandoned City Parks

Thinking Outside the Box to Help Detroit's Homeless

Homelessness and poverty are glaring problems in Detroit. Homeless Action Network Detroit (HAND) says that in 2011, 19,213 people had no place to call home. One forward-thinking student developed a novel way to warm those forced to sleep on the street. She's not the only one thinking outside the box to help Detroiters in need.  Thinking Outside the Box to Help Detroit's Homeless

Living Al-Anon Slogans: Take Care of Yourself, Do What's Best for You

Anxiety and I go back a long way. Fear has been a constant companion, if not a friend. Panic attacks have ruled me and fight-or-flight characterized my behavior. What terrifies me most is possibly displeasing others. I get physically ill if I think I've offended someone or not done enough for them. Consequently, "enabler" and "codependent" were my middle names. When I heard Biblical injunctions to give and serve, I thought it meant always and only me. I thought I had to give away myself. Thanks to 12-step recovery groups like Al-Anon, I use past tense. I am learning to take care of myself so negative feelings don't control me. Here's how.   Living Al-Anon Slogans: Take Care of Yourself, Do What's Best for You