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We Are

Our Community

The community that we serve is located on the far west side of Detroit, Michigan; covering 8.5 square miles which includes Rouge Park, a 1,184 acre urban park which features 12 playgrounds, 3 swimming pools, multiple ball fields & more.

 

Forty percent of the residents in the community live below the federal standard for poverty. Twenty percent of the residents above the age of 18 lack a high school diploma.

Our mission

The mission of Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation is neighborhood revitalization through family life-skill support and community economic development.

 

In order to promote comprehensive neighborhood revitalization, Joy-Southfield provides the following programs and services:
 

  • Primary health care for the uninsured and insured*

  • Preventative health care

  • Community gardening & farmers market

  • Home-ownership support

  • Home foreclosure prevention

  • Youth & family mentoring

  • Local economic development

  • Commercial facade improvement program

 

We are dedicated to providing preventative health education and promoting primary health services through our partnership with Covenant Community Care and preventative health education programs to low-income and uninsured families and individuals.

 

* Provided By Covenant Community Care.

Our history

Founded by Second Grace United Methodist Church in 2001, Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation initially operated a "mini-clinic" for uninsured residents. Located in the church, the mini-clinic provided preventive health screening, physical examinations, vaccinations, immunizations and follow-up on hospital emergency department visits. In order to meet an increasing need for primary and preventive healthcare program, we began construction of the 3900 square foot Joy-Southfield Health and Education Center in 2005.

The Health and Education Center opened in May 2006 with expanded capacity for providing primary care, preventive health and disease management programs.  The health clinic was designated "The Juanita Reaves Free Clinic" in honor of the woman who was the driving force behind the formation of the clinic. The new facility, financed largely by the United Methodist Church, and supported by a diverse network of churches, faiths, community organizations, and foundations, enabled us to begin reducing healthcare disparities within the community.

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As of July 1, 2014, a major step was taken to continue to improve the health of the community. Covenant Community Care joined with Joy-Southfield to provide primary health care at the Joy-Southfield Health and Wellness Center. This significant step represented an important expansion in health care provision to residents of the area.

 

In late 2018 Joy-Southfield welcomed ACCESS to the Ellison Center.  ACCESS strives to enable and empower individuals, families and communities to lead informed, productive and culturally sensitive lives.  ACCESS honors their Arab American heritage through community-building and service to all those in need, of every heritage and is a strong advocate for cultural and social entrepreneurship imbued with the values of community service, healthy lifestyles, education and philanthropy.

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