Author: Emily Reyst

Talking Equity and Destination: Vibrant Communities with James Crowder

For community development organizations, practitioners and advocates; developers and housing providers, equity should be at the forefront of our neighborhood revitalization strategies. We already know this, but how successful are we at implementing equitable strategies into practice? Is equity actually the focus of our organizations’ community development strategies? Are we leaving anyone out of the […]

Where Detroit Happens: A Block by Block Tour

On Wednesday, September 20, I drove down to Detroit to participate in day three of CDAD’s Community Development Week. Over the course of the week CEDAM’s partner, Community Development Advocates of Detroit, hosted tours, workshops and other events to promote community development careers, practices and projects. Sessions included: Who’s Got Next? Careers in Community Development; […]

New Member Feature: Daryl Brooks of Stellar Building & Construction

Daryl Brooks, owner of Stellar Building & Construction, has been a carpenter/ carpenter contractor for the past 25 years, and he’s been involved in the rough carpentry of over 30,000 units. He has worked on many Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects, but was never involved in putting the deals together himself. In order to […]

Storytelling: Crafting Your Message for Digital Platforms (A DVC Session Preview)

If you’re an organization working in community development or financial capability, it might feel like you’re constantly being reminded of the importance of storytelling. You know our industry should be talking about its work — specifically about the communities and people you serve. People enjoy reading about people after all, and the benefits are often […]

Passing the Baton: VISTA Leaders Reflect on the Past Year and Look Forward to the Next

Before Stevie Chilcote started her year of Service as a VISTA Leader, CEDAM’s sole AmeriCorps program was the Michigan Financial Opportunity Corps (MFOC), run by Rachel Diskin. From running the MFOC and working closely with the Michigan Rural Council, it was realized that there was a need for capacity building in rural nonprofit organizations. In […]

National Housing Week of Action: How Housing Changed My Life Rally & Storytelling Event Recap

“Housing matters. We contend that if we don’t get housing right, nothing else works,” said Habitat for Humanity Michigan Executive Director, Sandy Pearson, in her opening speech for the How Housing Changed My Life rally and storytelling event. The event, held on July 26, 2017, brought organizations, community members and those who have experienced homelessness […]

Milan’s Third Thursday Events: A Farmers’ Market and more

Milan, pronounced MY-lan (not like Italy’s Mi-LAN) is a small town in Southeast Michigan with a lot of charm, and as it was quickly found, a lot of spirit. In 2015 the Michigan Rural Council (MRC), a CEDAM program, went to Milan and conducted a community assessment. These assessments allow rural communities to affordably identify […]

Meet CEDAM’s New Manager of Financial Empowerment Initiatives

We are excited to welcome Brian Rakovitis, our new manager of financial empowerment initiatives, to the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) team! Rakovitis has made his way back to CEDAM after starting as an AmeriCorps member through us. He served at United Way of Washtenaw County on the previously active Michigan Foreclosure Prevention Corps.  After his […]

Hi, I’m CEDAM’s New Communications & Training Associate!

Hello, I’m Emily! I’d like to take a bit of time to introduce myself — and hopefully make a convincing case for you to reach out to me and use me as a resource! I am exceptionally excited for this new role knowing I get to share and collaborate with you: our incredible members and […]