By Taylor Wouters ’15 |Staff Writer

Challenge Detroit provides two Grosse Pointe South alumn with the opportunity to increase the number of professionals living within the city and find solutions to some of Detroit’s toughest problems.

The program is intended to bring together a group of critical thinkers to increase Detroit’s college educated core, according to the Challenge Detroit website. The organization hires young leaders so they will be able to experience the development of the city together. By doing so, Challenge Detroit hopes to retain a professional class in the city.

“Thirty-One fellows including myself work for organizations we partner with, each for a duration of five weeks,” said Sarah Somes ’09 via e-mail.

Fares Ksebati ’09 serves as the digital media producer for the organization, he said. Ksebati develops the website content for the program and its social media channels.

“I document cultural events and team challenges via blogging, photo and video,” said Ksebati via email. “I also moderate a monthly TweetChat that we’ve trended on twitter (#ChallengeDetroit).”

Each Friday, everybody in the program works as a team with various non-profit organizations across the city, Ksebati said.

“Our first challenge was on revitalizing space through community art. Our second challenge addressed bike advocacy in the city of Detroit. Our third, and current challenge is working with a homeless shelter, building a marketing strategy to attract donors,” said Ksebati.

 The next partnership that Challenge Detroit will be working with land conservation, land re-utilization, and community engagement, Somes said.

“Each partnership requires different sets of skills and needs, and we, as fellows with various backgrounds and skills, work together to deliver what they need to be most effective in their field,” said Somes.

Ksebati said that while at South, being a member of Varsity Club was where he regularly participated in service activities within the community. A large part of Challenge Detroit is volunteering to increase the good in the community.

Along with Ksebati, Somes said she learned how to let her passion lead her to achieve her goals and find her way while at South.

“The engagement and encouragement I got from some of my teachers at South definitely helped me develop this ability to create more opportunities and follow my passion,” said Somes.

Ksebati was looking for a program after college that was challenging and allowed him to take advantage of the opportunity in Detroit, he said.

“Challenge Detroit is also a great stepping-stone after graduation, with the chance to gain a tremendous amount of experience and network with amazing people,” said Ksebati. “It is a very well-balanced program.”

Even after the program is over, Somes says she will continue to learn to grow and to push herself.

“We believe any great accomplishment comes with an unwavering commitment to the cause,” said Challenge Detroit’s website. “We acknowledge the dedication of all the individuals and organizations that have and will continue to make a significant impact in the city and region.”

As soon as she heard about the program, Somes said she promised herself she would apply and was excited to join the team.

“I have always loved Detroit and finally felt like I found a way to have an impact unique in my own way,” said Somes. “I fully intend to use the skills I have learned and developed to continue supporting the city and my neighbors.”

Please visit www.challengedetroit.org for more information on the project.