BIRMINGHAM – Challenge Detroit is looking for 30 innovative leaders from across the United States to live, work and play in Detroit. When the year is over, they hope these men and woman become entrepreneurs and goodwill ambassadors for Southeast Michigan.

The fine print on this program is it provides a $500 a month housing stipend to live in Midtown Detroit and a salary of $30,000 a year to work at companies throughout the region. Deadline to apply is March 16.

?We need to take a regional effort to impact what?s happening across greater Detroit,? said Deirdre Greene Groves, Executive Director of the sponsoring organization, called the Collaborative Group. ?We emphasize four pillars ? live, work, play and give.?

Greene Groves said the living part will be in downtown Detroit, most likely in the Midtown area. She said negotiations are now ongoing with a building owner that could house all thirty participants in the same location. Each participant will get a $500 a month housing stipend to help pay rent.

The work pillar would involve taking jobs at major employers across Southeast Michigan. Jobs will be provided by companies like Valassis Communications in Livonia and Payroll 1 in Birmingham. The jobs will pay a salary of $30,000 a year.

The play component is about having a different social activity monthly to introduce participants to the area?s cultural side, she said. Participants could meet at Henry Ford Museum and get an insiders? tour. Or they could take a trip to a public school gallery in Hamtramck to see an emerging community artist, she said.

The give portion will require participants to work on different team challenges with local non profits. The first challenges will be working with Wayne State University?s TechTown on a yet unannounced social entrepreneurship program.

During their year in Detroit, each participant will gain new insights about the city and the greater Detroit region, Greene Groves said.

?We expect, through their experiences with Challenge Detroit, these individuals will be intrigued to stay in Detroit, work in Detroit, even start their own business in Detroit. And by doing so, they will have a positive influence on many other people who are looking for a great city to plant their personal flag. Challenge Detroit will help revitalize the Detroit area by attracting innovative, entrepreneurial thinkers who bring new ideas and contribute their intellectual capital to the community.?

Challenge Detroit Board members include:

Frank Angileri [Partner, Brooks Kushman]

Natalie Bruno, Secretary [Vice President, Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings]

Kerry Doman [President, After 5 Detroit]

Tracey McCaghy, Treasurer [Chief Financial Officer, Mosher Dolan, Inc.]

Andy McKeever, [Regional Director, Opportunity International]

Mitch Mondry [President, M Group LLC]

Doyle Mosher , President & Chairman [President, Mosher Dolan, Inc.]

Matt Mosher [President, Mosher & Associates]

Erinn O’Connor [President, hiredMYway.com]

Glenn Oliver [President, H2bid.com]

Jim Rosenthal [Partner, Mans Lumber]

Jay Sawmiller [Executive Vice President, Johnston Lewis Insurance]

Who can apply?

?We?re wide open on age for the candidates,? she said. ?But the specifics on education is a bachelor?s degree is the minimum requirement. They could have more than a bachelor?s degree. Candidates could be 22, 32 or 42.?

What comes out at the end of the year?

?At the end of the year, we are going to have an orientation back to the community,? she said. ?If you?ve had a wonderful experience with the company you?re working for, you can agree to continue on with that company. Or you may start your own business. You could partner with TechTown or Bizdom U. You could make a contribution back to the community.

?It?s really a kick-start campaign for Detroit and the region,? Greene Grove said. ?Participants will experience what is happening within the region. We want to use these individuals? experience to broadcast to the world what a great region Detroit is to live in. We want them to share this experience on social media and with national media.?

To apply for Challenge Detroit, click on ChallengeDetroit.Org

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