Ruth Ellis Center

Ruth Ellis Center

The Ruth Ellis Center was founded in 1999 by members of Detroit’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) community to respond to the needs of LGBTQ+ youth. The agency's mission is to create opportunities with LGBTQ+ young people to build their vision for a positive future, and our vision is a world where LGBTQ+ young people are safe and supported wherever they go. Over 90% of the 650 youth served annually by REC identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color facing barriers to housing, health, and wellness. The Ruth Ellis Center takes a liberatory approach to advancing justice, equity, and inclusion both internally and externally within systems, communities, and partner organizations through the development of equitable principles and policies that are informed by the lived experiences of the community of youth that the Center serves.    

To meet the needs of our community, REC operates:

1. LGBTQ+ Affirming Supportive Housing; which includes over 70 permanent and scattered site housing units

2. Community Center, outreach, social support, and basic needs services (food pantry, clothing closet, showers, hygiene/safer sex products),

3. Thriving Futures supported employment and workforce development programming

4. Integrated Healthcare, including LGBTQ+ competent behavioral healthcare and gender affirming medical services. Additionally, REC operates the Ruth Ellis Institute, a nationally recognized leader for consulting, training, and technical assistance in serving LGBTQ+ children, young people, and their families.

Funding through the Michigan Community Center Grant opportunity will allow the Ruth Ellis Center to complete significant facility upgrades to support a healthy and safe environment for our community members, including improving the accessibility and efficiency of our facilities. The Ruth Ellis Center operates across four facilities throughout Detroit and Highland Park, and are excited to invest long-term in the spaces LGBTQ+ young people have come to know and love to ensure they have a safe space to be themselves, get connected to resources, and work towards a brighter future.

Building Assets to Strengthen Societ (B.A.S.S) Inc

Building Assets to Strengthen Society (B.A.S.S.), Inc. is a community development organization located in Highland Park. Founded in 2006, the organization’s mission is to build upon the assets of residents and institutions to create positive community development including youth development, affordable housing, civic engagement, and economic development in Highland Park.

B.A.S.S. fulfills its mission by the operation of

1. Park Place, a salon and business incubator
2. My Brother’s Keeper and My Sister’s Keeper, youth mentoring and life skills training programs
3. Leading and organizing residents to create various projects that address civic and community issues
4. Providing information and referrals for individuals and families in need of employment, housing and other resources.

The MI-Community Center grant funds will be used to renovate and transform a 2,000 sq. ft. dilapidated commercial building into The Connector Community Center for Resources and Life Skills Training (The Connector). The Connector is located at 15863 Woodward Ave. and is connected to Park Place, BASS's current facility. It will be a community center that will provide flexible space, technology, and culturally relevant individualized and group programs where Highland Park residents living in poverty can connect with one another and the resources that will help them solve their socioeconomic problems and rise out of poverty. It will help residents use the internet and computer technology to solve problems related to employment, housing, health care, nutrition, fitness, literacy, financial management etc.

The Connector will be staffed with coaches and counselors who will support at least 300 residents annually with the following individualized and small group activities. 

• Computer Cafe & Training- To provide basic skills and how to search the internet for information and resources to solve personal, social and economic problems.
• Resources & Referrals-Staff will provide information and referrals to connect attendees to the wealth of resources that are available to assist with a host of problems, for example, substance abuse and mental health agencies.
• Counseling & Coaching- Staff will help persons establish goals and walk alongside those who need individualized social and emotional support to accomplish their goals.
• Classes & Workshops-Pre-employment training developing soft skills needed to obtain employment and job search training, health and nutrition education, GED, financial literacy, and other classes based upon the needs of those who attend The Connector
• Community Engagement-Community events, meetings, councils, collaborations, and organizing for socioeconomic advancement.