Our Team
Meet Our Team
At UNI, our team is essential to fulfilling our mission. Our team members play an integral role in the work we accomplish in Springwells. We stand firm in believing that those closest to the challenges we face are the best people to solve for a solution, so we actively hire in our neighborhood and community. As an organization we have developed programs and hiring processes to be a pipeline for future community leaders and staff members. We operate collaboratively and meaningfully to execute our mission effectively by hiring passionate individuals who bring with them a wide array of experience. There are 4 essential teams working to accomplish our mission:
Community Leadership
Our Community Leadership team is a tenacious group of individuals actively educating and activating residents to become more civically engaged. The team oversees programs like Engaging Leaders Initiating Tomorrow’s Educations (ELITE), the Neighborhood Resilience Committee and other advocacy efforts.
Education
We believe education is a human right and a pathway to liberation from oppression. The Education team facilitates intentional academic programs that encourage learning, goal setting, and resiliency. The team facilitates after school programs, every school day counts, Summer at the Center and so much more.
Health & Wellness
We attend to safety as the basis for belonging and connection. We recognize that healing is a process toward emotional, mental and physical wellbeing and that each person’s healing journey is different. Our Health & Wellness Team embodies a group of safe individuals that young people and neighbors can turn to during challenging times in their lives. Clinicians at UNI provide culturally appropriate counseling for young people 14-24 years of age in Southwest Detroit (area codes: 48209, 48210, & 48216) The team oversees mental health advocacy and the development of mental health provider support in the neighborhood.
Land Use
Community is found at the intersection of people and places. Our Land Use Team tirelessly stewards open vacant land into vibrant community spaces. Residents are found at the inception of any lot development we oversee. Creating vibrant, safe, thriving spaces is essential to developing a community where neighbors of all ages can gather, celebrate, and even mourn. Our Land-Use Team facilitates all lot maintenance, development, and installations.
Youth Workforce Development
A strong group of success coaches play an integral role in providing day to day supports for young adults 14-24 years of age. Our Youth Workforce Development Team is essential to ensuring that everyday challenges are tunnels to success. The team focuses on incorporating career success strategies for over 150 young people annually. Through intentional and thoughtful 1-on-1 coaching to interview readiness and more the team strategically supports young people in becoming gainfully employed in positions that have the potential to create long-term economic stability in their lives.
Operations
The operations team facilitates the management, development and implementation of processes to ensure UNI’s goals are met effectively. The team oversees the fiduciary responsibility we have to our neighbors, donors, and staff. As a team we align visionary possibilities with fiscal responsibility and one clear mission: to build a safe and thriving neighborhood where people can live, work, and play.