DHDC’s mission is to make a difference by creating life-changing opportunities for youth and their families. We are committed to meeting the needs of our community by providing quality, innovative and culturally appropriate services, primarily in Southwest Detroit. DHDC works in two critical areas: individual level change and community/ systems level change. DHDC focuses on community engagement, including leadership development and civic engagement. Services include providing support to small businesses, adult education for non-traditional students, trauma-informed youth programming that includes robotics, graphic design, music and video production; providing families with parenting skills, housing counseling and financial literacy, mobilizing parents to improve education and reduce pollution in our community, and helping adults and youth that society has given up on and are struggling to find a new path. In addition to quality programs and essential services, DHDC plays a pivotal role in creating long-term change in the conditions of the Southwest Detroit community and surrounding region. Much of this work is done through collaborating with other community organizations, universities and research institutions, corporations and local businesses, community schools, law enforcement agencies, policy makers, government entities, and funders. We believe that some of our most important efforts take place by working between silos with those who, at first glance may seem to be unlikely partners, but who nevertheless have a major stake in the quality of life in our community.
