SITC Stats
| First Year: | 2002 |
| Favorite T-Shirt: | Blue |
| School: | University of Michigan |
| Paint, Plant or Play? | Paint |
| Detroit in One Word: | Infinite |
| Favorite Spot in the D: | Good Girls Crepes |
| Top Coney: | Lafayette |
| Playing You in the SITC Movie: | Skinny Seth Rogan |
| SITC Hero: | Sally Salari |
Back in 2002, I had an idea – more of an itch really: I loved Detroit and volunteering, but didn’t want to sign up six weeks in advance to get up at 6:00 AM on a Saturday to go to a site with 50 people but only 15 shovels. Thanks to the passion and good humor of Michael and Neil, Summer in the City – and “fun, flexible, fulfilling” Detroit service – was born. (Neil’s first version was “fun, flexible, FO’ REAL!)
I’ve put in 10 years and 10,000 hours and Summer in the City has never ceased to engage and excite me. I have had the privilege of working with some of the most incredible people on the planet, but, really, there are three unsung heroes behind Summer in the City: my wife and parents. Without their patience and support (and occasional forgiveness), Summer in the City and I would not be where we are today.
Ben’s SITC Pics!
What Ben Digs in Detroit:
Free Press Featuring Ben!A Home For Us!
Summer in the City has grown from an idea into an institution over our first 10 years. To make the next 10 even greater, we are looking for a permanent home for the organization. The energy, creativity and optimism of our young leaders – all unpaid or underpaid – has sustained our growth and evolution. We want to support their sweat equity through a Residential Leadership Headquarters, where directors will live and others can gather year-round to to break bread and brainstorm.
This would be, to say the least, a big transition for our young organization, but – with very specific criteria for all aspects of the endeavor – we believe that when, in 2112, we hop off our hover boards and pause to reflect on the unprecedented work Summer in the City did in its second decade, it will be clear that there is, indeed, no place like home.
Support Ben’s Cause!
Donate Online or send your donation to SITC and support Ben:
Summer in the City
1655 Clark Street
Detroit, MI 48209
