The best education happens only when students feel truly safe, supported, and ready to learn. Thank you for your gifts that are creating this essential atmosphere of comfort, allowing young people to overcome shyness, drop worries, and fully excel both emotionally and academically. Meet Christian, who is a vital part of the Hard Court Hitters team producing this opportunity for students on a daily basis. Christian shares... “There was a little girl who was very shy when she f

The goal of restoration is always to move beyond cleanup and build genuine, lasting relationships with neighbors, sharing Christ’s love. Thank you for your gifts that fund the "hands-on" work that allows Camp Restore to become part of the family for residents like Sonja. “Camp Restore has been a community organization of hope and an awesome impact in the lives of residents. I know this because I am one of those residents. Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation fo

Tree Day coming in March… THANKS to English Gardens!! To Camp Restore, restoration means providing places for the community to gather, heal, and find pride in the neighborhood. English Gardens is part of that restoration as hundreds of English Gardens trees are now planted in places that are the foundation for community meetings, wellness opportunities, and building Detroit's foundational "pride and grit." “Thank you for the trees that were given to the East Outer Drive Assoc

In a healthy garden, every plant supports the other. Your support does more than just run events; it provides the 'soil' where real human connections are planted—blessing our staff just as much as our neighbors. When you give, you aren't just funding a meal; you're providing the opportunity for life-long friendships to take root over the 'basic stuff' of life, like motherhood, shared struggles, and faith. Our Service Learning Director, Tanya, has a story about just that. “As

Together we did it! Our $35,000 year end goal has been surpassed. Because you surpassed our $35,000 year-end goal, the Youth Mentorship program of CRD is being prepared for a massive season of growth. We aren't just offering internships; we are rooting young men like Damarrius in character, leadership, and a heart for service. Initially, the hard work can seem slow. As Damarrius puts it: “I had a fantastic experience being an intern at Camp Restore. It impacted me by helping

Your gifts don't just go toward restoration projects in our community; they create an inspiring environment where young people find deep purpose and genuine connection. Chase, a recent volunteer, shares how your support for our mission led him to find true friends, spiritual wisdom, and a new passion for sharing the Gospel. “My time at Camp Restore has had a real impact on me, even though I’ve only been volunteering since the summer. In that short time, I’ve met some amazing,

For sisters Lillian, Claire, and Lauren, Camp Restore became a place where faith moved from head to heart - proving that when we give of ourselves, God gives even more back. For these sisters, Camp Restore isn't just a mission site; it’s a second home where they’ve learned what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Lillian sees the immediate heart of the mission. "Camp Restore helps so many people," she says. "It is a kind and helpful place... I thank God for that." For

When you invest in the Literacy Program, you aren't just funding a class; you're developing leaders and supporting whole families like Veronica's. Your gifts ensure that her five grandchildren, from 5-year-old Bryson to 12-year-old Alex, have a consistent, encouraging place to learn, grow, and help their community. “I have five grandkids in the Literacy Program that we all enjoy coming to. Alex is 12 and has been a great helper in the program. Lauren is 10 and loves reading a

When we hear a local teenager say there is "NO hope" for the future, it serves as a sobering reminder of why our mission exists. Camp Restore is a place where that despair is met with hope. And this year, hope has a name and a face: Gio. Only weeks ago, a high school senior told us directly, “There isn’t any hope for a future here.” That weight of hopelessness often hangs heavy over the youth in our community. We didn't know that our community Thanksgiving dinner—an evening w

What cleans up blight, builds safety, and strengthens relationships all at once? Radio Patrol! Your generous support ensures the Camp Restore Radio Patrol members, like Robert, are on the streets, removing dumping, fighting crime, and making neighbors like Robert Lewis feel proud and safe on their block. “Radio patrol has affected my life in many many ways. To name a few: it has made my community safer, I feel better letting my children walk to the store, and I've strengthene

In a season that can so easily become crowded with the noise of commercialism, your support ensures that Christ remains the center of Christmas.  Pastor Jeff, who has been serving on a regular basis from Rockpointe, had the opportunity to share the Christmas story with a child and came away with a humbling reminder. "I was helping a first grader with a "Christmas Code" activity. I told her that when she finished, we would share the true Christmas story together using the wood

A young boy was in the Family Closet rifling through things, stuffing items in a bag as fast as he could. It looked like he was trying to take the whole store! One of our staff gently put a hand on his shoulder and asked, “What’s happening here?” He turned, eyes urgent, and said, “I cannot slow down. I am on a secret mission and must be as quick as possible.” When asked what the mission was, he whispered his truth: “I am gathering Christmas presents for my family.” We sat dow

“Is Santa coming today?” asked a volunteer as they helped set up. “Nope. Today is all about Jesus,” was the reply. And it was!  In the things we could SEE. Nativity Scenes everywhere. Christmas tree & lights, with Christ centered crafts. In the things we could TOUCH. The Nativity Scenes were not breakable and high up, but rather on the table at child height, made of wood so children can play and interact with Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and the rest of the crew. In the things we HEA

In  the Camp Restore neighborhood, families need a place that feels safe, warm, and consistent . When you support our Literacy and Life skills program, you aren't just buying books—you are connecting children with the kind of patient, energetic love that changes lives. Cierra, a mother in our community, shares how your generosity provides her family with both educational tools and the 'love of grandmothers' her children will remember forever. “The community Literacy program h

Your support  does more than just clear away brush; it reminds neighbors  like Ms. LaTonya that she isn't fighting for her community alone. Because of you, a simple day of yard work turned into tears of joy  and a deepening journey of faith. “My name is Ms. LaTonya and I am a homeowner on the east side of Detroit in the 48205 area code of the 9th precinct. This area is considered to be a challenging area but I love living here because I feel that I can help to make a differen

There is a story you may have heard by now - that of a young man playing the quiet game with the Summer Literacy Camp kids, only to lose the game when prompted to talk about Jesus. It is a favorite because it shows the organic and fun way your support  allows the love of Christ to be shared with children.  Today, we invite you  to go deeper. Hear directly from Isaiah  of the Eliot Baptist Church youth group, sharing his first hand account of the epic game, and how that failed

Your generosity has brought a powerful force for renewal right into our community. Through your support, Camp Restore volunteers have become a vital, welcomed presence,  working tirelessly under the direction of Community Leaders to beautify the blocks and streets where we all live, work, and play. When community leaders and volunteers, empowered by your support, clear blight, build parks, and reactivate the land , the effect is not just removing debris—but making our communi

What happens when you combine faith with mentorship? You get the kind of transformation that you  make possible through leaders like Malcolm. Malcolm is a dynamic force in the community—a husband, father, inner-city poet, and pastor with a heart for Jesus. He is a trusted guide  who is leveraging his gifts to share the Gospel and build meaningful connections. Hear what it meant to Malcolm when funding was found to continue work with the Teens in the neighborhood, alongside hi

Camp Restore Detroit Friends and Family, Hope  is growing here again. Students  find a safe haven , families  find community , and abandoned lots  are becoming parks  with Family Days and Harvest Festivals. We now have a dedicated volunteer  dorm space —88 beds—and our  Pastor  prays with neighbors and leads weekly Bible Study. Transformation is happening —one block, one project, one person at a time. We need your partnership to continue and to grow.  Our goal is to raise $35

Dear Camp Restore Friends and Family, God never ceases to amaze! Here is just a small snippet of all the ways YOU have impacted families and children in northeast Detroit one person, one family, one block at a time !  Children… 65 children   became better readers  in a safe setting filled with the love of Christ  shared by Dr. Clare and her team in the Little Blue House. Many even heard about Jesus for the first time! 120 Children  will receive Christmas gifts  and hear a