THE MIRACLE at MACK AND FISCHER

MACK ALIVE was founded in 1991 by the Honorable Alberta Tinsley-Talabi and is a 34 year old 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. We are dedicated to the upward mobility of the residents in the city of Detroit with a particular focus on residents on the eastside. In 2008, we moved into our rehabilitated community resource center located at 3746 Fischer. This $400,000 investment, in a neighborhood formerly described as “dying and the best thing to do is to move residents out to other areas” serves as a beacon of light to the community. We provide a safe environment and are a change agent for neighborhood revitalization.

MACK ALIVE grew out of former Detroit City Council member Alberta Tinsley-Talabi’s passion, determination, and commitment to the community where she was born and continues to live. She rallied neighbors, businesses, government officials, pastors and their  congregations to take a stand and declare "MACK IS ALIVE!" Never ignoring the ravages of poverty that a lack of education, unemployment, crime, prostitution, alcohol, and other illegal drugs have had on the decline of this once thriving community.

Recognizing the ravages that poverty, lack of education, unemployment, crime infestation, prostitution, alcohol, and other illegal drugs have contributed to the decline of this once thriving community. After 34 years, Mack Alive remains dedicated to the rebirth of our neighborhood.  Mack Alive provided direct services to an estimated 3,000 residents last year and responded to over 2,500 phone calls for outside referrals.

We provide the following programs, activities and services:

⦁ Annual Parade and Rally – The largest community parade and rally on Detroit's eastside. The parade began in 1991 as a way of bringing families and communities together. The rally offers health screenings, wellness education, children’s activities, free food, employment information and referrals, bands, music, and more.

⦁ After School Tutoring and Leadership Program Development for K-12 students.

⦁ Buddies in Business: Passport to Success, a paved summer youth entrepreneurship program for ages 14 – 24. The program has been housed at the Eastern Campus of the Wayne County Community College District.

⦁ NO COST Computer Lab, Notary Public Service (donations accepted), fax and copy service and assistance in preparing resumes and executing job searches.

⦁ The Harris Literacy Program with Wayne State University, a ten-week online program for ages 18 and over to improve math and reading skills leading to successful completion of the requirements for passing the GED test. 

⦁ Gleaners Community Food Bank, monthly healthy food giveaways every 4th and 5th Saturdays. 

⦁ R.E.A.L. (Read Eat and Learn) summer enrichment program for youth ages 6 – 12.

⦁ The Partnership for a Drug Free Detroit, a city-wide effort to combat drug and alcohol abuse, in coordination with the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN). 

⦁ Ambassador Fine Art Curators.

⦁ The Butterfly Pollinator and Art Garden at the corner of Fischer and Sylvester, a project with the Wayne State University James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History and Arts Corps Detroit using a working with lots model created by Detroit Future City. In addition, a sculpture by famed artist Alice Smith called ‘Gabriel’s Visitation: Circle of Love’ was created to enhance the serenity and beauty of this new neighborhood as well as to work to rejuvenate the ecosystem of bees and butterflies. 

⦁ The Mack Alive Community Resource Center also serves as the meeting place for community organizations such as the Women/Men of Vision and others.