Detroit RAP (Resource Alert Project)

RESOURCE ALERT PROJECT (RAP) DETROIT


The Better Detroit Youth Movement focuses on three key areas to help more of our city's children achieve in school and life:

1) youth enrichment (personal, professional and leadership development, peer-to-peer engagement and community service);

2) collaboration building with other youth-serving individuals and organizations, and community-based organizations; and,

3) community outreach (both online, and on the streets, in our schools and communities) via social media, e-marketing, weekly meetings and live events.


We believe our children don't care how much we know until they know how much we care.

We believe our children need and deserve: 1) a person (or people) who actively care about their well-being and contribute to their growth; and, 2) opportunities to help them grow.

We believe our children want to grow to become valued members of society and make a positive impact on Detroit, if not the world.


In a city facing a unique set of economic and educational challenges adversely impacting too many of our children, it’s critical we discuss, determine and deliver more effective ways to help more of today's young generation achieve in school and succeed in life.


A sad truth is too many youth fall to and on negative streets simply because we fail to place positive people and productive options on their paths.

It seems a sadder truth that many of these same children, teens and young adults want to make a meaningful contribution to society, yet may not know how, where or a way they can.


We believe the so-called “achievement gap” may be less about students in schools, and more about a communication gap in too disconnected communities.

We know we can only help a child if he or she knows where to go for help.

How can we all help create a stronger spirit of collaboration for Detroit children?


The good news is that Detroit has a variety of youth-serving individuals and youth-serving organizations that offer vital, valuable programs, initiatives, events, inspiration and information that can serve -- and possibly save -- a young person’s life.

The bad news is too many of these servants and services often go unrealized and underutilized.

Would more young Detroiters maximize their potential if we maximize the use of existing youth resources?


We have seen many adults willing to invest in our children and / or contribute to our communities in a meaningful capacity.

Many others love to serve as volunteers or mentors and / or chaperones for our youth.

We must arrive at ways to effectively and actively encourage more good souls to help our great children if we are to truly, always build a greater Detroit.


Today, the City of Detroit lists about a dozen youth programs on its website:http://www.detroitmi.gov/Detroit-Opportunities/Programs-for-Youth

Here's a recently compiled list of 100 more youth resources in the Greater Detroit area:

http://detroitrap.brighthalo.com/#/

These lists are a start. These lists need grow.


Today’s youth are connected to technology like never before. Doesn't it make sense we leverage today to connect with them like never before?

Most teens and young adults rely heavily on mobile devices to stay informed and be entertained.

However, we've failed to use their preferred device of communication to communicate and share valuable, vital “real-time” information about resources that can help our children, families, communities and city.

Until now. Until Detroit RAP.

http://www.detroitmi.gov/Detroit-Opportunities/Programs-for-Youth

http://detroitrap.brighthalo.com/#/


until now,


Detroit RAP (Resource Alert Project) is a powerful, practical “app” on mobile devices that delivers and shares important, timely information about youth (and community) resources to benefit our young generation.

While the goal of Detroit RAP is to improve the ways we consistently communicate with our families and communities, for our youth, it's much more than just a technology product. We know it must be a comprehensive, growing effort to engage, encourage and enrich Detroit teens and young adults, and build brighter futures in a better Detroit every day.

The RAP “app” demo is now available on Google Play Store.


For a young person, Detroit RAP can be a life saver, a Swiss army knife and a survival kit.

For parents, families and caregivers, it's a valuable tool that provides a variety of ways to help their children lead more productive lives.

For youth-serving individuals and organizations, Detroit RAP is a vital information-sharing platform that can improve delivery of services, capacity-building, profitability, exposure, recognition and community support. It also stimulates greater collaboration of and among our area's youth resources.


Detroit RAP instantly and consistently transmits updates about youth events, initiatives, programs and relevant opportunities to mobile phone users (subscribers).

Subscribers can choose to receive immediate alerts or a compilation of daily alerts.

RAP currently consists of a growing online directory (http://www.detroitrap.brighthalo.com) of more than 100 youth-serving individuals and groups in the Greater Detroit area.


Detroit RAP will be graphically designed and presented to attract and appeal to a young “hip hop” generation so more youth use it.

Here's a sample image (courtesy of Alonzo Edwards, www.fraternaleasels.com):

http://www.detroitrap.brighthalo.com/


A key to the success of Detroit RAP is actively marketing and promoting it to our youth, families and communities. Ongoing PR and media campaigns and outreach strategies targeting high schools, salons, churches, retailers, etc., will share information about RAP and also increase its subscriber base. RAP will also be promoted via:

● Regularly scheduled RAP sessions that serve as community focus groups to improve the overall project effort.

● An annual all-youth talent show,YouthFest features and attracts Detroit children and families, and will be promoted) on Detroit RAP to generate greater interest and grow its subscriber base.

● Social media and e-mail marketing strategies (our e-mail database currently contains more than 40,000) to engage and encourage more RAP subscribers and supporters.

Call 734.395.3079, or email us at [email protected], if you'd like to learn more about Detroit RAP.

http://www.fraternaleasels.com/

Detroit RAP (Resource Alert Project)

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