Parents speak out on behalf of city's kids

DETROIT — What happens when the mayor is a no-show for a grass roots community event titled, Listen Up, Mayor!?

You get the crowd to take out their cell phones and give Detroit Mayor Dave Bing a call, that's what.

Sally Huerta (left) and Gloria Martinez call the mayor's office to find out why he's not at the Listen Up, Mayor event.

“We are all busy, but we have to make time to listen and engage in opportunities to hear what's best for kids,” said Sharlonda Buckman, executive director of Detroit Parent Network, which sponsored the event earlier this year at Youthville Detroit.

The event kicked off DPN’s Listen Up Mayor! initiative, funded by The Skillman Foundation, to make sure that city officials are well aware of the needs of Detroit youth.

About 200 people attended the two-hour event at which they filled out surveys and heard the plans of other mayoral candidates. Each candidate had 10 minutes to explain his or her agenda, particularly as it would affect youth.

Jack Kresnak, president and CEO of Michigan’s Children, thanked the candidates for being willing to step up and speak out, and encouraged others to do the same.

He told the crowd that while his office is in Lansing, his heart is in Detroit.

“These kids deserve better,” he said. “We can do better. We have to do it if we’re going to have a future as a state, as a city. Our children are it. This is all or nothing, folks. We have to speak up. We have to stand up.”

Debra Morrell is one who does just that. She shows up at her daughter’s Detroit elementary school nearly every day to help any student or staffer who needs it.

So Morrell, who is president of the Van Zile Elementary Local School and Community Organization (LSCO), was eager to attend the Listen Up Mayor! event.

“I love the Detroit Parent Network; it’s a great organization,” she said, looking up from her survey. “I’m the mother of a 33-year-old and a 31-year-old. And all of a sudden I have an 8-year-old. She’s mine. I birthed her. And I have to get involved.”

Buckman thanked the crowd for helping set an agenda for kids during the economic crisis.

“Detroit feels it worse than anybody else in this state and all over the country and we know that our kids feel that, as well,” she said. “We need to make sure that government is considering what’s best for children when they put together policies, programs and initiatives.”

She said no one knows more about how to support children than parents.

“We know what our kids need, right?” she asked. “I know my kid needs a place to play that’s safe, right? I know my child needs access to support and resources within the community. I know they need to have employability skills, and employment or volunteer experiences.”

“We are in a challenging place, but we can get through it if we stick together.”

More than 1,500 people have already filled out surveys listing the priorities of Detroit parents that were sent to the mayor. Asked to name the single most important issue that would help their children s succeed in school, parents listed safe schools; school supplies; and small class size. They said the things most likely to enhance their children’s quality of life are after school programs; neighborhood recreation centers; and safe and clean playgrounds.

Buckman said the evening was a good start.

“It was good to see parents so excited. You could feel their sense of empowerment and the energy it generated. We need more of that. We need everyday citizens to feel they have the power and collective influence to hold our leaders accountable.”

— Jo Collins Mathis is an Ann Arbor-based freelance writer

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