buildOn in Detroit mobilizes high school students to embrace social responsibility, uplift their neighborhoods, and realize their fullest potential through the transformative power of community service. Through hands-on experiences, our Service Learning Program fosters agency, community engagement, and personal growth—equipping students with the tools they need to thrive as adults.

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Students from buildOn in Detroit strengthen their communities through weekly service—cooking and serving meals at shelters and soup kitchens, tutoring and mentoring younger children in local schools and libraries, organizing clothing drives, and distributing warm coats to neighbors in need. They also take action to clean up dangerous vacant lots and abandoned homes, helping create safer spaces across their neighborhoods.

Elevating Detroit's Youth Through Service.

buildOn in Detroit mobilizes high school students to embrace social responsibility, uplift their neighborhoods, and realize their fullest potential through the transformative power of community service.

Through hands-on experiences, our Service Learning Program fosters agency, community engagement, and personal growth—equipping students with the tools they need to thrive as adults.

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About buildOn in Detroit

Since 1993, buildOn has been deeply embedded in the fabric of Detroit and remains unwavering in its commitment to our students. We are rising to the challenge to continue our important work by engaging students in free service-learning programming in four Detroit high schools—East English Village Preparatory Academy, Martin Luther King Jr. High School, Renaissance High School, and Western International High School.

buildOn students in Detroit hand out food to people in their communities who are experiencing food insecurity, helping to fight hunger in our city.
buildOn students in Detroit hand out food to people in their communities who are experiencing food insecurity, helping to fight hunger in our city.
buildOn students connect with Detroit seniors at places like St. Patrick’s Senior Center, providing companionship to those who may be experiencing loneliness.
buildOn students connect with Detroit seniors at places like St. Patrick’s Senior Center, providing companionship to those who may be experiencing loneliness.
buildOn students march in Detroit’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade, showing support for the causes that matter most to them.
buildOn students march in Detroit’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade, showing support for the causes that matter most to them.

Our Detroit Impact

1,528

students currently engaged

406,915

hours served in the community

98%

of buildOn students graduate high school

70%

of buildOn students attend college

Our Service Methodology

A buildOn student tutors younger children in their community

Service is at the heart of buildOn’s mission. Each week, students make a meaningful impact by serving those in need and helping improve their neighborhoods.

Seventy-five percent of buildOn activities focus on direct service, like serving meals, tutoring children, and connecting with seniors. The other twenty-five percent includes beautification projects, such as cleaning graffiti, creating public art, and planting gardens to feed their neighbors.

 

Quincy Foster-Fish, East English Village Preparatory Academy student, buildOn in Detroit.

“Sometimes I struggle with motivation, but when I talk with Kyla, my Engagement Specialist, it makes me feel better and inspires me to get things done.”

Quincy Foster-Fish / East English Village Preparatory Academy Student
Jeremiah Jackson, Osborn High School student, buildOn in Detroit.

“I can already see how much the work we do impacts our communities. When we go into neighborhoods to clean up and help out, we notice children watching us and how happy they look. It’s really inspiring, and it’s such a powerful way to bring the community together as a whole.”

Jeremiah Jackson / Osborn High School Student

Meet Darryl! A buildOn Alum.

buildOn in Detroit alum Darryl is a leader in his community.

I showed up, and I never stopped showing up. When you consistently show up—whether it’s for a service project or your academics—people notice, and things start to happen. Doors open, and opportunities come your way!

Darryl Ervin is now a husband, father, nonprofit founder, entrepreneur, and youth speaker! He credits the exposure buildOn gave him to different career paths and professional mentorship with his success in life.

Watch Darryl’s Story

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Have questions?

Please contact buildOn in Detroit’s Executive Director Rosann Jager at rosann.jager@buildon.org for additional information about partnership and program opportunities.