As we enter this time of year where we are reminded of all we have to be grateful for, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate this incredible season in Life Remodeled’s history than to express our deepest thanks and appreciation for your unwavering belief in our mission and commitment to our projects. Because of you, our contributions to revitalizing Detroit neighborhoods have never been stronger or more impactful.

Our formerly vacant school on Detroit’s west side, the Durfee Innovation Society (DIS), continues to serve 28,000 Detroiters annually through incredible afterschool programs, workforce development and health & wellness services. Experts from Gallup research have confirmed the Durfee community has the second highest perception of thriving opportunities of all Detroit neighborhoods, and the Detroit Regional Chamber has cited the DIS as a main contributing factor to this progress. Furthermore, the Detroit Police Department found that crime in the Durfee neighborhood has dropped to the lowest in the entire city in a few short years.

Our new Opportunity Hub on Detroit’s east side, the former Dominican High School now named Anchor Detroit, is officially under construction with a projected open date during the summer of 2025! With your continued support, we will replicate the success we’ve experienced at the DIS and make a lasting impact on the lives of tens of thousands of children and families in this new eastside community.

A lot of great work has been done to revitalize Detroit, but nothing could be done without YOU. It is you who makes this important work possible, every day.

One of our incredibly generous partners has offered to double your donation this holiday season. Thanks to Masco Corporation, all donations received by December 31 will be matched– up to $50,000! This opportunity allows your donation to go twice as far in supporting Detroit neighborhood revitalization that lasts!

Your donation plays a crucial role in ensuring more:

• students perform at or above grade level in math & reading
• families have access to essential health & wellness services
• community members obtain liveable-wage jobs & achieve economic self-sufficiency

Your gift impacts so many, like Paige, a Junior at Central High School, located next door to the DIS. Paige has always been a bright student, however, she was looking for more opportunities to grow outside of the classroom. After learning about the many afterschool programs hosted at the DIS, she jumped right in with Metro Detroit Youth Clubs, and she joined our Life Remodeled Youth Alliance (LRYA). Through the LRYA, Paige has been able to advise us on the best strategies for engaging youth as well as amplify her education with hands-on experience. Paige and her peers have planned more than 10 events at the DIS for her classmates at the neighboring schools, and all of her hard work has not gone unnoticed. At a recent youth event she helped to host, she was selected to receive a scholarship to attend a college tour around the entire county with another one of our tenant partners, Xstreme Tours. This tour will open Paige’s eyes to the immense opportunity she has access to in her future. Until this point, Paige has only been able to visit one local college campus, and this tour will allow her to visit 13 campuses across the country.

This story embodies the spirit of transformation that can be found in the DIS, and soon Anchor Detroit, six days a week. Paige has SO MUCH talent, but she wasn’t able access all the opportunities she deserved without engaging at the DIS located right in her own neighborhood. So many students, like Paige, are missing out on these critical resources that can transform the trajectory of their future. The offerings at the DIS continue to invest in creating strong families and ensuring communities have access to all of the opportunities they need to thrive.

Again, THANK YOU for your unwavering support of Detroit children and families by trusting Life Remodeled to wisely steward your generosity during this exciting time of continued growth.

Together w/ YOU,

Chris Lambert, Founder + CEO