Detroit Phoenix Center Vies for $25K in Crowdfunding Competition

The Detroit Phoenix Center, a non-profit organization that works to improve the outcomes for youth and young adults ages 13-24 who are at risk of, or currently are, experiencing homelessness is competing to win $25,000 by participating in the Quicken Loans Detroit Community Challenge.

Quicken Loans Detroit Community Challenge is a fundraising competition on CrowdRise, the largest crowdfunding platform for good and runs through Aug. 31 at 1:59:59pm ET.

“On any given night, 5,000 Detroiters are entangled in a daily struggle to survive the gripping realities of poverty and homelessness, and 25 percent of them are youth. I know. I was one of them,” said Courtney Smith, founder and CEO of the Detroit Phoenix Center.

The funds would increase the number of youth served, providing hot meals, bus tickets, washers and dryers, employment and educational resources, housing crisis support and connections to mental health services, legal clinic, coaching/case management through various community partners and more.

The team that raises the most during the Challenge wins $25,000. Second place wins $15,000, 3rd place wins $10,000, 4th place wins $7,500 and 5th place wins $5,000. Weekly Bonus Challenges enable charities to win up to another $37,500.

What a Contribution to DPC Funds:

• $20 will provide breakfast and dinner for two youth
• $30 will provide a 10-day bus pass for two youth to get around to jobs, housing and support services.
• $50 dollars will provide a 30-day bus pass for one youth to get around to jobs, housing and support services.
• $85 dollars will provide a used cell phone and monthly service so that one youth can connect to housing support and basic needs. Many youth have limited access to information and contacting the center, employers and school.
• $100 dollars will provide a week of food for one youth, or center supplies of personal hygiene items for onboarding several youth.
• $300 will provide us with the funds to secure a basic laptop for the center, for youth and volunteers to the Internet to search and apply for jobs and finish school work.
• $500 will provide emergency housing and support services for 1 month for one youth.
• $3,000 will provide permanent housing for one youth for six months. This will allow them to become self-sufficient by obtaining a job and allow them to enroll in an academic or vocational program.

Added Smith, “The Detroit Phoenix Center has reached more than 1,000 youth in Detroit so far. We’re a completely grassroots, volunteer-driven initiative. This isn’t just about winning a contest. We hope individuals will visit the center, be inspired and get involved to help make a difference in the lives of young people.”

The approximately 55,000-square-foot Detroit Phoenix Center day facility is inside the Bethel Community Transformation Center at 8801 Woodward Ave. in Detroit with administrative space in Bamboo Detroit in downtown Detroit.

To help the Detroit Phoenix Center reach its goal, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/detroit-phoenix-center-qldetroit2018.

Detroit Phoenix Center is a non-profit organization that exists to improve the outcomes for youth and young adults ages 13-24 who are at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. It does this through a network of the resources needed to improve health, wellness, and self-sufficiency. For more information, visit the Detroit Phoenix Center online at DetroitPhoenixCenter.org and Facebook.com/DetroitPhoenixCenter.