If you are part of a Detroit neighborhood group, then your group could win a $500 gift card by helping residents complete the 2020 Census.
The City of Detroit will award $500 gift cards to the top 20 neighborhood groups with the highest response increase in their selected Census tract(s). Census officials also will award $200 gift cards to groups, that are not in the top 20, but finish in the top five in their districts.
Awards will be based on the increase in Census response rate between the final 2010 rate and response rate for the tract(s) on July 31, 2020.
To be eligible for an award, groups must be neighborhood-based organizations in Detroit (with defined boundaries) and be willing to conduct two Census-related activities by July 31.
Groups can identify one Census tract (but no more than 2 tracts) by going to the Explore Map on the City's Census page. Interested organizations must complete the Detroit Census Neighborhood Competition form by July 3, 2020.
Several City of Detroit departments at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center will resume limited in-person services next week for the first time since stay at home orders began in March. Residents will be able to schedule appointments starting July 6 for certain services in the Buildings, Safety Engineering & Environmental Department (BSEED), Public Works, Tax and Assessor’s Office and Appeals & Hearings.
Services are being provided under safety guidelines adopted by the City. Anyone entering the building must first go through a temperature-screening checkpoint at the Woodward and Randolph entrances, wear a mask or face covering and observe physical distancing requirements in communal areas, such as elevators, stairways and waiting areas.
Prior to returning to work, each City worker staffing these offices is tested for COVID-19. These employees will follow strict health protocols, including daily temperature checks upon entering the building, wearing masks and social distancing.
Where possible, staff will also provide curbside assistance to further reduce the number of people in the building. When scheduling an appointment, callers should inquire if curbside service is available.
Many services and payments can still be handled remotely online or via the DivDat mobile app, and customers are encouraged to call departments with questions.
As part of safety protocols, the City also announced that employees will no longer accept cash as a form of payment. Employees will only accept debit and credit transactions.
For more information on services, contact numbers, hours of operation and payment options, go to detroitmi.gov.
On July 2, the new auto no-fault law takes effect in Michigan, providing motorists with additional options to save on car insurance. For the first time in 40 years, Detroiters can choose the level of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage that works best for them, including opting out completely.
Mayor Mike Duggan recently outlined the changes and the ways residents can lower their auto insurance premiums under the new law. At his news briefing July 1, the Mayor reminded residents that insurance savings don't happen automatically, but they will need to contact their insurance company to discuss their options.
For more information on provisions of the new law and to view the Mayor’s presentation, go to detroitmi.gov/autoinsurance.
Detroiters Can Begin Enrolling Today in Learn to Earn
Under a new program, Detroit residents can earn their GED or high school diploma while earning $10 an hour/up to 20 hours a week for up to six months.
The Learn to Earn program is a partnership between Detroit at Work and Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD). The first 50 students will start July 13, with another 100 students beginning the program in September. An additional 400 students will start in 2021. Program instruction is offered online & in-person.
The program is unique in many ways:
- Participants can get their GED or high school diploma in as little as 4-6 months
- Participants can learn about careers and build job skills
- In addition to a weekly stipend, eligible students can receive help with transportation and referrals for childcare
- There is an expedited online program for those who need 4 or fewer classes to graduate
For more information, go online to detroitatwork.com or call (313) 962-WORK.
There is still time to get on the list for the Detroit-only priority application for positions at the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) assembly plant under construction on Detroit’s east side. The next priority application window opens July 6 for residents in 48213, 48214 and 48215 zip codes and then July 20 for the rest of Detroit.
FCA job readiness events are available online through Detroit At Work. Visit DetroitAtWork.com/FCA to learn how to sign up for job readiness online events or to log in to your account.
City officials also reminded the 3,522 Detroiters, who were invited to interview after the first wave of applications, to look for an email from FCA. On July 1, FCA will begin sending emails to schedule interviews. Those interviews will start July 13, with the jobs starting November 2020 – January 2021.
In addition, another 12,500 Detroiters, who are eligible to apply for a FCA job, should watch for an email containing an application link. Interviews for those in this category begin this fall, and jobs start in November 2020 - January 2021.
For more information, go to DetroitAtWork.com/FCA; call (313) 962-WORK or email fcasupport@detroitatwork.com.
The Detroit Jazz Fest will go on as scheduled during Labor Day weekend, but with virtual performances and no live audience. Plans were announced at the Mayor’s news briefing July 1 by Chris Collins, artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival.
The free performances, which run from Sept. 4 - 7, will be broadcast live or streamed on various platforms, including the Internet, City of Detroit’s cable channel, public television, radio and the Jazz Fest app. Collins indicated that the event will showcase Detroit jazz artists and may include other well-known artists from across the county but not in person.
In partnership with the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation, Detroit ACE (Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship) also will issue an open call for a Detroit artist to design the Jazz Fest poster. ACE Director Rochelle Riley said all proceeds from the poster sales will go to the Detroit Arts Fund to support artists and art efforts across the city.
Rocket Mortgage is the presenting sponsor for the Jazz Fest. For more information, go to Detroitjazzfest.org.
FREE TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR DETROITERS
Detroit residents are encouraged to take advantage of free, virtual tax preparation and filing, especially if they haven’t received a federal stimulus check or are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Virtual tax preparation is a safe and reliable way for both Accounting Aid Society and Wayne Metro to prepare your federal, state and city tax returns without in-person contact and at no cost. Using a secure, IRS-approved software, virtual tax prep lets you use your smartphone, tablet, or computer’s camera and email address to upload your tax documents and electronic signature – without leaving your home.
Appointments can be scheduled online at www.unitedwaysem.org/virtualtaxprep. Federal, state and city taxes are due July 15.
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