One thing for sure; You can’t see either from 10,000 feet. But if you take the ground level view, if you go to the neighborhoods, go to the schools – even the worst of them – go to the churches, go to the people, that’s where you will find the heart and soul of Detroit beating – and people working for real change.

Problem is most people in today’s microwave, “fix it right now” society expect the change to come overnight with the power and thunder of a lightning bolt, or the earth-shattering crash of an asteroid. Show me something really big, they say! Show me something really sexy! Show it to me right now!

But real change often starts with small connections, with neighbors caring about neighbors, conversations about children, finding common ground for a common purpose. As more connections are made, more people become involved, more people care,….the movement grows and change happens.

The kind of change when you teach a child, or an adult struggling with illiteracy, to read; the kind of change that persuades young people that violence is not the way to solve conflict; the kind of change that stirs community residents to clean up their neighborhoods and look out for senior citizens.

It is with this firm belief three years ago, on an auspiciously sunny Saturday morning, that ARISE Detroit! – funded by the Skillman Foundation -- launched in Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit with the goal of enlisting an army of new volunteers and to inspire local residents to take up the challenge for change.

From that first event, a still growing movement has sprung. From 22 founding partner organizations, we have grown to a coalition of more than 400, churches, community groups, block clubs, media outlets and businesses promoting volunteerism, community activism and positive media images to create a better Detroit..

Through marketing support with our e-newsletters, website, a radio show, which we hope to resume soon, and relationships with local media we also aim to be a catalyst for more news stories of hope and inspiration.

ARISE Detroit! has become a champion for Detroit’s “Transformation Community,” the hundreds of non-profit organizations, philanthropic foundations and the thousands of people quietly working every day to improve Detroit.

Many people have little sense of the breadth of this community because their impressions of Detroit are defined by the crime and various urban ills that so often lead our local newscasts. Yes, positive stories are reported but they are generally tucked in between a sea of mayhem, making the “good,” seem aberrant and the “bad” seem the norm. Don’t misunderstand me, as a former journalist I fully support reporting all the news – even the bad stuff that makes people uncomfortable.

But if you take the time to come down from the 10,000 foot media-defined view, you will see another side of Detroit.

This is the side where thousands of parents get up on a Saturday morning and by 8 a.m. are at the Cobo Conference Center to register their children for a program called DAPCEP to see that they get special courses in science and math to prepare them for college.

This is the side, where a former Ford Motor Co. engineer formed a program called ACES and uses volunteers to prep city youngsters to boost their college entrance exam scores. The is the side where hundreds of just plain folks turn out for community brainstorming sessions to develop strategies to revive their neighborhoods.

This is the side of CB patrols and community anti-crime programs and neighborhood watch groups. This is the side that mentors and tutors our young people.

This other side of Detroit will be on spectacular display on Saturday, Aug. 1, when ARISE Detroit! hosts its third annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day. Well over 100 events will be held all over Detroit on the same day, from dawn till dusk, from midtown to downtown, from the far east side, to the far west side.

Block clubs, churches, community groups and business will host community cleanups, health fairs, library and school events, youth concerts, garage sales, parades, volunteer signup programs and much more.

Thousands of proud and determined Detroiters will be connected to a common vision for a transformed community. Organizations can participate by registering at www.arisedetroit.org , or phone 313-921-1955. I invite you to discover this other side of Detroit.

You will be amazed.