Beard & Rowan St. Water Main Break

In the early hours of Monday, February 17, 2025, a broken water main at Beard and Rowan Street led to severe flooding, with 54 inches of water damaging homes, businesses, and vehicles in the area. Council Member Santiago-Romero, alongside City of Detroit departments, community organizations, and residents, has been working tirelessly to provide support and resources to those impacted. If you or a loved one were affected by the flood, please see the resources below for assistance.

Residents affected by this crisis can begin to file a damage claim with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department by completing the form found here. If you need assistance filling out the form, including translation services, call (313) 774-5261 to have a City representative assist you over the phone.

Los residentes afectados por esta crisis pueden presentar un reclamo por daños con el Detroit Water and Sewerage Department completando el formulario que se encuentra aquí. Si necesita ayuda para completar el formulario, incluidos servicios de traducción, llame al (313) 774-5261 para que un representante de la Ciudad lo ayude por teléfono.

If you need food, water, clothing, toiletries, or other essential items—or if you would like to donate—please visit or call one of the locations below:

Si necesita alimentos, agua, ropa, artículos de tocador u otros productos esenciales, o si desea hacer una donación, visite o llame a uno de los siguientes lugares:

Patton Community Center

📍 2301 Woodmere St., Detroit, MI 48209
🕒 Open 24/7
📞 (313) 628-2000

Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation

📍 420 S. Leigh St., Detroit, MI 48209
🕒 Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📞 (313) 967-4880

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives Detroit

📍 8300 Longworth St., Detroit, MI 48209
🕒 Hours: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
📞 (313) 841-4447

La Sed and the American Red Cross will be providing basic health and medical support. For details on time and location, please refer to the flyers below.

La Sed y la American Red Cross brindarán apoyo básico de salud y atención médica. Para conocer el horario y la ubicación, consulte los volantes a continuación.

If you're reading this, Team GSR wants YOUR feedback!

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so we can improve our e-newsletter.

February Office Hours!

We will be joined by the Property Assessment Board of Review. Please stop by if you have any questions or need assistance.

Immigration 101: Virtual Training
Know Your Rights

Join Team GSR and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center for a virtual Know Your Rights Training at 6p on Tuesday February 25. Arabic, Bengali, French, Spanish, and Wolof translation available via Zoom only. Registration required: bit.ly/gsr-know-your-rights.

March Office Hours!

Save the Date for our March Office Hours, where we will be joined by the Office of Digital Equity & Inclusion. Please stop by if you have any questions or need assistance.

Coffee, Council, & Conversation

Join me at Team GSR at St. Patrick Senior Center for our next Coffee Hour! Bring your questions and we'll bring the coffee and donuts!

Storytime with Ms. Gaby

March is Reading Month and Ms. Gaby loves to read. Join her for storytime at two local D6 bookstores to celebrate love of reading, books, and our local businesses.

Resources for Our Immigrant Neighbors and Allies Preparing Your Family for Immigration Enforcement (ENGLISH) - here Preparando Su Familia Para Encuentros Con Inmigracion (ESPAÑOL) - aquí إعداد عائلتك لتطبيق قوانين الهجرة(ARABIC) - هنا We Have Rights - for a list of helpful videos to help immigrants navigate encounters with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Search - To help find an immigration lawyer

• A Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace
• Preparing your Family for Immigration Enforcement
• Guide for Police Encounters with a Foreign Driver's License
• What can noncitizens for to prepare for the new Administration
• ACLU Know your Rights resources
• Student Rights to Education (via MIRC)
• Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL) has a 24/7 immigration hotline (1-800-243-0302), providing direct support and guidance for individuals in need. 
• Red Cards for Know Your Rights - available to print and download, or order, in multiple languages

I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History invites you to a special evening to honor and acknowledge the social, environmental, cultural past and historical significance of the Black Bottom and Paradise Valley communities. This event will create opportunities for descendants and former residents of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley to share their memories and experiences.

Event Details:

• What: Panel discussion and community stories
• When: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25 (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
• Where: Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, MI 48201
• RSVP: This event is free and open to the public. Please register at bit.ly/375-BB-PV-Panel.

Event Highlights:

• Panel includes Jamon Jordan (City of Detroit historian), Rod Arroyo (academic scholar), and Kimberly Cooley (founder and owner, a Taste of Hastings Street), and moderator Josh Landon (FOX 2 News anchor).
• Hear personal stories from Detroit residents who have connections to these neighborhoods.
• Connect with others in the community to share and preserve this important history.

Additional project details are available at www.Michigan.gov/I375. 

Disaster Recovery Private Sewer Repair Program

Did your basement flood June 2021 due to the federally declared rain disaster? Pre-apply today to see if you qualify for a FREE sewer line replacement.

Apply here: bit.ly/CDBG-DR-PSRP

News from Wayne County Treasurer Eric R. Sabree

Payment Plans

Property tax payment plans are available now! Visit Treasurer.WayneCounty.com to view a list of payment plans, see if you're eligible, and apply today. If you have additional questions, please email WCTOPaymentPlans@WayneCountymi.gov or call 313-224-5990. 

D6 Rec Center Programming!

Click here for Clemente Rec Center Programming

Click here for Kemeny Rec Center Programming

Click here for Patton Rec Center Programming

Job Opportunities

• Keep Growing Detroit is hiring for several positions
• City of Detroit is hiring for many positions

MANA de Metro Detroit scholarship applications

Each scholarship award is in the amount of $2,000. Scholarship awards can cover expenses such as, books, fees, housing, school supplies, parking, gas, and other education related costs.

Available scholarships include:

• The General MANA Scholarship
• The Carmen Muñoz Entrepreneurship Scholarship
• The Monica L. Martinez Leadership Scholarship
  The Dr. Ellen Ochoa STEM Scholarship
• The Gloria Rosas Teacher Education Scholarship
• The Eva Garza Dewaelsche Community Service Scholarship

Eligibility requirements for scholarship are the following: Women must be of Hispanic/Latina origin, resident of Detroit or Metro Detroit, and be accepted or currently enrolled in a higher education institution, vocational/career training, or leadership program. Additional requirements are listed on the application form.

The scholarships are combined in one application. Applicants that meet the requirements may apply for one or more scholarships, however, if selected, they will only be awarded one scholarship.

Visit the MANA of Metro Detroit website to receive information about each scholarship and complete the application. 

AARP Community Challenge grants support urban, rural, and suburban communities in making immediate improvements to public places, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, and more, thereby jumpstarting long-term progress. 

• 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6). Nonprofit organizations must be recognized by the IRS to receive funds.
• Government entities
• Other types of organizations considered on a case-by-case basis

Support available at The Accounting Aid Society

Tax Preparation Assistance

No-cost tax preparation services are available for households making less than $64,000 a year. Services are provided through the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

• Make an appointment here
• Find a tax site location here
• Prepare for your appointment here

Small Business Support

• Free initial consultation
• Free monthly workshops
• Low cost support to meet your immediate and future needs
• Income tax filing and Michigan sales tax
• Individualized one-on-one technical assistance
• 6 month tax preparation or bookkeeping training series: Ongoing enrollment
• 12 month Thrive program: Applications available in November and December
• Learn more here

For more details, visit the Office of Contracting and Procurement at detroitmi.gov/ocp

A brief visual guide to City of Detroit Departments

Click here to view departments, contact info, and key responsibilities!

A brief guide to City Council Meetings

We created a simple series of graphics to help increase awareness, civic engagement, and participation with City Council. Please click here to view the full set of slides full screen -- and share with your neighbors! They are available in English, Spanish, and Arabic! (Few details are also below.)

How to watch and participate in City Council meetings

Attend online at detroitmi.gov/Online-CC-Meeting or by phone by calling one of these numbers 929-436-2866, 312-626-6799, 669-906-6833, 253-215-8782, 301-715-8592, or 346-248-7799, and entering meeting ID 85846903626##

Agendas and related documents can be found and viewed here. (Click here to view video on how to locate Agendas and Minutes.)

To make public comment, please 'raise your hand' using the following instructions:

1. Telephone participants: Raise your hand by pressing #9
2. Web participants: Raise your hand by clicking raise hand in the application or pressing
   • Windows computer = [ALT] + [Y]
   • Apple Computers = [OPTION] + [Y]

3. Public Comment can also be submitted via email to CCPublicComment@detroitmi.gov.

For consistency, please note that for public comment: 

• You will be called on in the order in which your hand is raised
• All time limits are set by the meeting chair
• Any hands raised after the Chair ends submission of public comments will not be able to speak at the meeting

If interpretation or translation services are needed call The Department of Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity at 313-224-4950. 

Detroit Residents' Guide: A Community Resource Guide

This guide contains information on what you need to know as a Detroit resident. The information focuses on a number of subjects, which are top areas of concern for residents.

Interested in starting a block club?

Check out this Block Club Starter Kit from the Department of Neighborhoods (DONs) and this How to start a block club in Detroit guide from Outlier Media to learn more!

Contact your D6 DONs staff for more assistance:

• Eva Torres, District Manager - torrese@detroitmi.gov
• Antonio Mora-Mills, Deputy Manager - millsa@detroitmi.gov

Detroit Alerts 365

Be Safe. Know when there’s an emergency impacting your area. Would you like to receive timely emergency notifications pertaining to the city of Detroit? Detroit Alerts 365 is a new notification system that sends Detroit-specific emergency notifications through the CodeRED emergency notification system—a system used by emergency services teams and municipalities nationwide. This free system enables you to choose how you would like to receive alerts--via telephone, text message, and/or email.

Benefits: During a crisis, real-time updates can provide life-saving instructions and information.

• Notifications are on the go with you. You can receive important alerts and non-emergency notifications, based on your address directly to your cell phone, home phone, text, or email.
• You will receive notifications targeted to residents in a specific area experiencing emergency conditions.
• Your personal data is secure in the CodeRED system.

Register here!

Sign up for the Detroit Documenters email to get people-powered news on your local government delivered right to your inbox, plus updates and info from the Documenters community. Learn more about Detroit Documenters here.

Newsletter questions?
Email rogersth@detroitmi.gov

General questions or assistance?
councilmembergabriela@detroitmi.gov   |   313-224-2450

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