Brilliant Detroit works with high-need neighborhoods, areas with many young families and with a strong community base to build on. Its strategy is to bring families and neighborhood leaders together to discuss the area’s needs and what they would like from a center. At the community’s invitation, the organization secures a house in the middle of the neighborhood and converts it into a community center.
Originally, Brilliant Detroit served 50 families in one location. Less than four years later, it serves about 4,700 people, with programs and resources provided by 87 partners. By the end of the year, the organization plans to have four more neighborhood centers in operation, for a total of 11.
“We want these locations to be the community’s locations. That’s why this is working,” said CEO Cindy Eggleton, who along with Carolyn and Jim Bellinson co-founded Brilliant Detroit.
