Our Story
History
Founded in 2008, Brightmoor Connection was originally a consortium of nine churches and two organizations. It has been Fisher Foundation funded for the past 10 years in addition to contributions and support from Gleaners of Southeast Michigan and United Way.
Brightmoor Connection acquired non-profit 501C(3) status in 2015 and has over 35 invaluable and dedicated volunteers – the backbone of our program. Today, it remains a collaborative effort with Pure Word MBC, City Covenant Church, St. Christine’s, Cathedral of Faith, Rosedale Park Baptist, Mt. Vernon MBC, Grace New Covenant, and Detroit People's Platform in service to Detroit’s Brightmoor Community and beyond.
Client-Choice Model
Brightmoor Connection uses a Client-Choice Model allowing individuals and families to shop by appointment. The Client-Choice model fosters a shopper-friendly atmosphere. Our clients are afforded the dignity of shopping through a grocery aisle without the stigma of a traditional food pantry experience. People receive an estimated 50-70 pounds of food per monthly visit. Our water station assists individuals and families experiencing water insecurity. We also provide services to assist with water reconnections to their homes. In 2018 the pantry expanded its clothing closet to provide a larger variety of clothes for adults and children. In addition, the pantry provides a special Christmas meal baskets program, children’s coats and boots give away.
Executive Director
Reverend Roslyn Bouier, MDIV
Recognized because of her passion for people, Roslyn Murray Bouier is a grassroots front-line practitioner, community pastor, advocate, activist, organizer, water warrior, and a ‘Repairer of the Breach,’ as well as a New Testament Biblical Scholar and a Womanist Interpreter.
Rev. Roz’s heart to fight for the rights of all has been a constant. She is responsible for planting six (6) food pantries throughout the greater metropolitan area, as well as establishing 25 feeding programs over the years.
She currently serves as the Executive Director of Brightmoor Connection Client Choice Food Pantry, 501©3. Within this role, Rev. Roz services 1,700 high-need families annually with food, water, clothing, shoes, shelter, computer access, and a place of respite for families disenfranchised and disinherited.
In 2016 she founded Women of Brightmoor, a social justice group whose purpose is to effect a more just and affordable water payment system. By way of the group, and in collaboration with We the People Detroit, Rev. Roz is now training up additional women warriors to come alongside her; teaching and empowering local women to advocate on behalf of their communities.
Rev. Roz is a sought-after activist, speaker, organizer, trainer and preacher, who has been featured in a litany of media outlets. Among other speaking engagements, Rev. Roz was the Keynote speaker at the National Women’s Convention, Ecumenical Interfaith Service – Cobo Arena, 10/29/2017 Detroit, MI.
To learn more about Reverend Roslyn Bouier, view her Detroit Water Stories oral history by Wayne State University.
Collaborative Partners
Detroit People's Platform
Equitable Detroit Coalition
Detroit People's Platform
We continue to build upon our 10-year strong partnership with Detroit People's Platform in the fight for equitable water, affordable housing, and community benefits for our residents.
Reverend Roslyn Bouier is a proud recipient of the Detroit People's Platform 2015 Justice Award.
Building Movement Project
Equitable Detroit Coalition
Detroit People's Platform
We work hand-in-hand with the Building Movement Project in building leadership, services and social change through an equitable lens.
View a webinar in which Reverend Roslyn discusses How Social Change Happens, the View from Detroit, or learn more about the Building Movement Project.
Equitable Detroit Coalition
Equitable Detroit Coalition
Equitable Detroit Coalition
Equitable Detroit Coalition advocates for and takes action on budgeting for the common good through the lens of Racial Equity.
Learn more about current issues on Facebook.
Replenish Detroit
Michigan State University Extension Program
Equitable Detroit Coalition
Replenish Detroit is a campaign led by Wayne State University students advocating for safe, affordable water for Detroit residents.
Replenish Detroit is working directly with the Brightmoor Pantry to serve the most water insecure neighborhoods in Detroit and surrounding areas.
Michigan State University Extension Program
Michigan State University Extension Program
Michigan State University Extension Program
Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities and businesses.
DPFLI & Partners
Michigan State University Extension Program
Michigan State University Extension Program
In partnership with N.E.W. L.E.A.F. and D-Town Farm, the Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning and Innovation (DPFLI) donated over 400 pounds of produce to the Brightmoor Connection Food Pantry. This year's produce included tomatoes, basil, garlic, okra, collard greens, kale, lettuce, and peppers. Next year we hope to add blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and potatoes.
DPFLI received a grant for over $50,000.00 from the Total Health Care Foundation to convert a portion of the site into an edible forest. An edible forest is a landscape that is made up primarily of woody fruit and nut crops. The trees and shrubs are planted in a way that mimics a young forest, and as they mature, they yield a variety of tasty, nutrient dense crops that don't require replanting every year. By the end of next year, the DPFLI will have over 20 species and varieties of apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots, juneberries, elderberries, pawpaws, persimmon, currants, grapes, raspberries, blackberries, hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts, and pecans!
The goal is to expose local residents and visitors to the impressive variety of fruits and nuts that can be grown in Michigan and show them how to cultivate these plants on their own. Once plants reach maturity, we will donate a portion of the harvests to the pantry, incorporate them into our nutrition and cooking classes, and create value added products. The grant will also fund a pilot curriculum for urban agriculture and forestry. More details on that will be available early next year.
N.E.W. L.E.A.F. stands for "no earth wasted, living ecological awareness farm". It's a non-profit organization founded and directed by L'Oreal Hawkes-Williams with the goal of connecting people to nature through environmental education and experiences as well as teaching sustainable agriculture. In 2020, the organization became a DPFLI partner and began cultivating vegetables and leading volunteer days at the site.
This year, NEW LEAF delivered more programs at the DPFLI than any other organization, coordinating indoor and outdoor activities for the community. These included yoga classes, an herbalism course, and wellness series. They continued managing a vegetable plot, developing a biointensive orchard, and hosting volunteer opportunities as well.
For more information about NEW LEAF, please visit their website, instagram, or email newleafdetroit@gmail.com.
More about DPFLI: https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2024/growing-good-food-in-detroit
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