Bailey Park Youth Development

The Bailey Park Youth Development Program is a holistic initiative designed to equip young people with the tools, experiences, and support needed to thrive as leaders in their community. Centered in the McDougall-Hunt and Poletown East neighborhoods, the program combines mentorship, career training, leadership development, and hands-on civic engagement to nurture the next generation of changemakers.

Key Components

• Bailey Park Youth Council: A community-centered leadership initiative that empowers youth through mentorship, education, and civic engagement. Participants are paired with experienced mentors and engage in workshops focused on leadership, communication, community organizing, and advocacy. Youth Council members also participate in neighborhood improvement projects, gaining practical skills and a deeper connection to their community.
• Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT): In partnership with the City of Detroit, Bailey Park serves as a host site for GDYT, offering paid summer work experiences to youth ages 14–24. Participants receive work-readiness training and spend six weeks gaining valuable career exposure, professional development, and hands-on job experience in community-focused roles.
• Rooted & Rising: This youth-centered initiative embodies the vision of being grounded in community while growing into potential. It supports personal growth, cultural connection, and leadership through creative expression, wellness activities, and peer-led engagement—encouraging youth to rise into their full selves while remaining rooted in the values of service and community.

Together, these programs form a strong foundation for empowering youth to lead with confidence, purpose, and pride in their neighborhoods.