Two Metro Detroit churches with long histories of community involvement have formed a unique partnership to provide support to already struggling Detroit neighborhoods that have also been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Christ Church Cranbrook, located in Bloomfield Hills, and First Baptist Institutional Church, situated on 7 Mile Road in northwest Detroit, are pleased to announce the creation of the FBIC Resource Center.
The long-term mission of the center is to provide a wide range of assistance to residents of the 48235 zip code. Some of the specific services that will be offered include operation of a food pantry, stipends to forestall utility shutoffs, evictions or foreclosures, workforce development and workshops for reading fluency, math and financial literacy. The center will serve the entire community but will also provide targeted programs for youth, seniors and veterans.
The center will be operated on the campus of First Baptist Institutional Church, situated within the area targeted for help. Trained outreach coordinators will work with clients to evaluate individual needs and determine available support as well as identifying other resources which may be available from a variety of local non-profits..
The joint effort between the two churches will allow both congregations to work together to administer the center, utilizing congregational talents wherever possible to run workshops and provide a range of services to those most in need.
Initial funding for the center has been provided by a generous grant from the Douglas F. Allison Foundation, donations from the Deacon Karl Sturdivant Memorial Fund, and an additional grant from the Christ Church Cranbrook COVID-19 relief fund.
Buildout of the space and final development of plans and hiring are in progress. A grand opening ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 2:00 PM. The ribbon-cutting cutting festivities and tour of the center will be held virtually and are open to all members of both congregations as well as to the general public. Click here to watch the ceremony live.
About First Baptist Institutional Church:
First Baptist Institutional Church has ministered to Detroiters since 1917. The congregation has been active in community outreach and mission work throughout its history, creating an extensive northwest Detroit campus in 1975 to provide for both religious and community needs. Today FBIC continues in that spirit of service, creating programming for at-risk youth and seniors as well as offering traditional spiritual support.
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