Abstract:
The downtown capstone team project is an attempt
to understand and formu
late a plan to address some of the
needs of residents in downtown Detroit in close proximity
of St. Aloysius church
and
specifically related to the
closure of the church’s community outreach center.
The
capstone students
were approached by Deacon Don Leach
of the church to do a needs
-
assessment
and assist the
church in finding new ways to fill
the void created by
losing their community
center. The center was more than
just a place to meet for the residents. The community
center
provided socialization for the residents, and it also provided
food, clothing, counseling, healthcare, and other essential needs for the surrounding community.
The center
predominantly serviced the senior and homeless
populations in the surrounding
community. It was
located
on Washington Boulevard
directly across the street from St.
Aloysius Church and was staffed by the church with
volunteers from both inside and outside of the community.
Since the closure of the center, there has been a decrease in
homeless persons in the community and the church has
been searching for alternative delivery methods for
providing their social services
to the remaining homeless
persons and elderly
(Leach
, Interview
)
