Out of the Ashes We Shall Rise

In 2014, Auntie Na’s house suffered from a house fire started by a faulty electrical system. Luckily, no one was hurt, but there was extensive fire, smoke and water damage throughout the house. Volunteers, donors, and supporters banded together to rebuild the home and Auntie Na resumed her community outreach activities. As the community came together to rebuild Auntie Na’s House, the organization was able to recieve its first major grants and begin our work as a community development organization.

Rebuilding the Block

In 2016, we officially incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization under the name Auntie Na's Village. Starting in 2017, we purchased several abandoned homes on Yellowstone St. and began working to convert these formerly hollowed out shells into vibrant community centers. Over the years we acquired a total of 5 houses on the block and rehabilitated them, so they could house our many outreach programs. We also purchased several vacant lots and transformed them into a community garden, an orchard, and a community park. We expanded beyond our humble beginnings in the living room of one compassionate person's home and have begun the beautiful and challenging process of becoming an interdependent Village. Through the challenging years of Detroit’s bankruptcy, mass water shutoffs, the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns, and Federal cuts to SNAP, Medicaid and other vital programs - Auntie Na’s Village has been a bridge over troubled water.

Harvesting Unity through Community Outreach

Caring For Our Youth - Following in the tradition of her grandparents, Auntie Na has taken in and helped raise dozens of children. Today, youth are nurtured with our Youth Programs. Over the years these have included after-school activities and tutoring, free summer camp, and youth employment opportunities.

Feeding Our People - With our Nutrition Program, we give away hundreds of nutritious food boxes to families in need on a weekly basis. We also serve hot community meals at our Nutrition House and host cookouts and community events like our annual Giving Thanks meal.

Community Closet and Bazaars - With our Clothing Program we collect and distribute clothing to our neighbors - keeping our people warm in the harsh Detroit winters! We have a shipping container outfitted and filled with free clothing. We also work to support our neighbors through our regular Bazaars, where we provide free clothing, hygiene kits, pet food, toys, and bikes!

Providing a Sanctuary - With our Emergency Housing Program, we provide temporary housing and shelter for those who are homeless or leaving dangerous situations. Several of the houses that we rehabilitated on Yellowstone and Elmhurst St. provide a safe space, a bed, and a roof over the head for individuals and families in a time of need.

Nurturing a Healthy Environment - In the spirit of self-sufficiency, we work together to provide for ourselves by growing organic produce in our Community Garden and fruit tree orchard. We transformed formerly vacant lots into a Community Park. Our village has also welcomed many animal relatives - goats, chickens, dogs, cats, fish, and turtles.

A Community-Based Medical Clinic - At our Medical House, volunteers from Wayne State University - School of Medicine provide regular blood pressure checkups, basic evaluations, and first aid. Medical students also provide nutrition, hygiene, and public health supplies and information.  

All of our intertwined programs are designed to catch those who have fallen through the cracks of our broken system.