CDC: Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corp

Most days we spent half of our days working for the CDC: Central Detroit Christian Community Dev. Corp.   a non-profit, faith-based organization that is bettering Detroit through several innovative projects.  The main project we worked for were the urban gardens connected to the CDC store Peaches n Greens.  Detroit is a food desert - meaning most people do not have access to fresh, healthy foods.  Most people shop for groceries from gas stations and liquor stores (not healthy or fresh food!).
So the CDC has gardens where produce is raised and a store where those foods and packaged food basics can be purchased.  The employees are local residents bringing jobs to the area.  And the gardens become outdoor classroom for kids who come and learn about gardening and raising food.

The Gardens fill places where abandoned homes used to be, filling empty space with usefulness and hope.  We met many wonderful people who were passing  by and admiring the gardens and started up conversations with us.  We met two brothers who were putting in some time at the garden with us.  The younger was always caring for the older as they weeded and watered and picked together.  Their devotion to each other and to the gardens was a sign of Jesus at work!

We did a lot of stuff that was familiar to Iowa kids: weeding, planting, picking, weeding, weeding and weeding.  But it was the place and the purpose that made it unique.  The neighborhoods were rough, nice homes next to boarded up houses and empty lots. 

Also attached to the farm is a fishery where they are farming tilapia to sell.  Coming from the Iowa Great Lakes we have seen fish, but not this kind of fish production.  It was a great learning experience.  

I hope you will join me in praying for the work of the CDC, their staff especially Anthony who worked with us a lot.  And for the neighborhoods they serve.  Read more about urban gardening in Detroit here.