Detroit City Council Award for buildOn student Alondra Zanudio

The Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones presented Alondra Zamudio, a recent graduate of Western International High School and buildOn President, with the Award of Recognition along with a personal letter of gratitude for her community service work in the city of Detroit through her participation with buildOn.

The Detroit City Council President first learned of Alondra and her impact on the Detroit community after an office member attended a buildOn event in March celebrating International Women’s Day where Alondra served as a speaker. After hearing Alondra speak about her personal experience with buildOn and the phenomenal work she has been able to accomplish through the organization, the Council President wanted to find a way to recognize her.

Alondra poses with the Detroit City Council members and her two sisters after receiving her award.

Alondra was inspired as she stepped into the Detroit City Council Chambers, where she received her award. “I felt so important and like a real part of my community,” she says. President Brenda Jones wrote Alondra a letter thanking her for her service to the city of Detroit and shared that letter during the ceremony. She highlighted Alondra’s leadership in a project to beautify abandoned houses in Detroit by boarding them up with murals and planting flowers in the yards. Alonda recalls her experiences in buildOn by saying, “Taking charge and making connections feels good to me. I am happy to make the community a safer place for people to walk and spend time.”

Alondra will be attending Siena Heights University in August, on a full scholarship she received due to her service and dedication to buildOn. Having served over 600 hours in her community she says, “I enjoy it, I love it, I’m always going to find a way to be a part of the community.”