A Detroit nonprofit wants to open a legal aid and resource center in the city -- and they're asking Michiganders to help them win $25,000 from one of America's biggest home improvement retailers.
The 313 Project was founded in 2009 by Wayne State University Law School students who wanted to connect Detroit's legal community with the less fortunate. Members offer support to the community through pro-bono legal defense, community projects and charitable support. And their work around town has qualified them as the only Michigan group this month competing for cash in the Home Depot Foundation’s second annual Aprons in Action Facebook contest. Aprons In Action funds projects that help veterans across the United States.
“If we win the $25,000 from The Home Depot, we would be able to establish a Detroit-based career training and resource center for underserved groups, including veterans and their families," said Aisa Villarosa Berg, president of The 313 Project. The clinic would also assist youth who have aged out of the foster care system.
The winner will be the group that gathers the most online votes over the next month at facebook.com/homedepotfoundation. Voting starts Jan. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2013. The winner will receive a $25,000 gift card and qualify to compete for a $250,000 grand prize at the end of the year.
The 313 Project is competing against three other veterans groups from around the country: Another Chance Outreach Center in Gary, Ind., Sons of the American Legion in East Point, Ga., and Vetshouse Inc., in Virginia Beach, Va.
The Detroit nonprofit was chosen by The Home Depot Foundation to compete in the contest based on their previous work serving the city's veteran community, and others. In the past they have held legal clinics for formerly homeless vets, provided college scholarships for Detroit youth and helped renovate Southwest Detroit's 26-acre Romanowski park.
For some other Detroit-area groups making a difference take a look at the slideshow below.
