Urban Neighborhood Initiatives

Building a community where people want to live, work, and play.

Operation: Springwells

​We believe every child should have a safe walk to school and a safe place to play. We believe that no one should drive by vacant, blighted land on their way home. We believe young people should have opportunities to develop as neighborhood leaders. We believe there is a strong relationship between having safe places to play and getting a good education, between beautification and economic development. 


We target critical neighborhood needs in the Springwells neighborhood of Southwest Detroit, a 1.4 square mile community where approximately 18,735 residents live based on 2020 census data. We work in collaboration with partners, to create opportunities for significant community investment in youth development, neighborhood beautification, economic mobility, safety, and community relationships in the Springwells area to build a healthy, safe neighborhood.

Neighborhood Data

*5 year estimates of the 2023 American Community Survey &*

*MI school data for schools in Springwells neighborhood*

$43,500

Median Household Income

<10%

meet 8th grade-level math standards

50%

of students in Springwells are chronically absent

We Need Your Help

At Urban Neighborhood Initiatives (UNI), our commitment to making Southwest Detroit a vibrant, thriving community is unwavering. Every day, we work tirelessly to provide opportunities, support, and resources that transform lives and empower individuals and families.

But we can't do it alone.

What We Do

In 2023, we set out to create the neighborhood of our dreams through these strategic programs and initiatives: 

  • Education 
  • A Vibrant Economy 
  • Land use 
  • Community Leadership ​

We also identified key throughlines that show up in each of these pillars:

  • Wellbeing & healing
  • Youth development
  • Collaborations & partnerships
  • Community organizing

Wellbeing & Healing

Mental Health Counseling

Building a Healthy Future

Youth Development

Youth Leadership Programs

Out-of-School Learning

Collaborations & Partnerships

Gleaners

Detroit's LeadSafe Housing Program

Community Organizing

Workforce Development Programs

Springwell's Neighborhood Support Form

Upcoming Events

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Contact Us