Make a difference in Dearborn:
Join a neighborhood association

Dearborn’s neighborhoods are considered the backbone of the City.

And neighborhood associations serve as the voice of these communities.

In all, there are 27 active neighborhood associations in Dearborn, some of which date back to the 1920s.

"They were created as a means for a neighborhood to protect and preserve the integrity of the neighborhood," said Dave Norwood, Citizen Liaison in Mayor Michael A. Guido’s Office.

That meant owners had to follow deed restrictions when building a home or creating exterior home improvements. Members of the association would check the plans to make sure they were compatible with the style of the neighborhood.

Eighty years later, deed restrictions are still used in a few of Dearborn’s neighborhoods. But the associations of today are stronger, larger and more important than ever. In fact, two new associations - the Southwestern Outer Drive and the Concerned Citizens for South Dearborn - have formed within the past four years.

"Dearborn’s strength has always been its neighborhoods," Mayor Guido said. "I like to think of the city as a giant wheel, and the neighborhood associations make up a spoke in the wheel."

The organized associations are made up of volunteer residents, who take an interest in their community. Each association also has elected officers, and active residents pay a fee between $5 and $20 a year to support newsletters, fliers, programs and activities.

The associations educate their members about various city ordinances, current city issues or valuable programs. Guest speakers are often invited to meetings and topics can vary from fire safety information to "meet the candidates" prior to a local election.

Members of an association often bond together when they want to see change in their neighborhood, or if they are unhappy with a potential development or encroachment. Members are welcome to voice their opinions about pending issues at City Council meetings, Plan Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals meetings.

"There is always strength in numbers," said Mary Hall, who serves as the president of the Grindley Civic Association. "And when it comes to showing support at a meeting, the more people the better."

Some associations have initiated their own neighborhood improvements. For example, the Ford Homes Historic District launched a successful proposal with the city for ornamental lampposts along the streets of the west Dearborn neighborhood.

And the associations work hand-in-hand with the leaders at City Hall. Mayor Guido assigns department heads to attend association meetings so they are made aware of neighborhood issues and concerns. He also consults with members of an association when a potential project could impact a specific neighborhood.

While there are many reasons to join an association, probably the most important one is to develop relationships between neighbors.

"It gives you a chance to get out and to get to know your neighbors," Norwood said.

They also give you a chance to have fun.

Some associations organize holiday parties, establish beautification committees, sponsor block or garage sales and create newsletters.

Members of the Highland Association host an annual Easter egg hunt, while the Dearborn Hills Association throws a Christmas party each year. The Ford Homes Historic District puts on an annual block sale that has become a June tradition, while the Southwestern Outer Drive Association organizes a block party located in the heart of the business district.

Along with the individual associations comes the combined strength of the Federation of Civic Associations, which dates back to the 1940s.

The federation functions as a parent entity, offering support and guidance to the neighborhood associations. Members of the federation can put an association in contact with the proper department heads, school or other city leaders.

In the past, the organization has disseminated information and recruited support for city events like Homecoming; the Dearborn Arab International Festival; and "On the Avenue," the June art show and food festival. Members of the federation are also involved with important city and school planning groups and task forces.

The federation meets the first Wednesday of every month, except July and August, in the Mayor’s Conference Room at City Hall from 7:30 - 9:30 pm.  Individual members are welcome.

"The federation encourages each association to support the goals and wishes of their residents. We encourage the building of camaraderie, a strength of community spirit and pride," said Dan Stanley, federation secretary. Stanley works closely with Hall, who also serves as federation president.

However, most neighborhood associations today face a similar problem: only 10 percent of their residents are active, and pay dues. Neighborhood leaders complain that members only become involved when there is a problem in their area, Stanley said.

He would like to see associations become more pro-active, rather than reactive.

"Neighborhood associations need to evolve from merely handling issues that are today’s ‘hot-topic.’ They need to offer programs for the children, elderly and disabled. The more support an association receives, the more voices that are counted, the more programs that are started, the more lives that are positively impacted."

With enough active participants, associations could inspire some old-fashioned "neighborliness," perhaps by organizing people to help shovel show for elderly residents.

While some Dearborn areas are not served by an active association, it is not difficult to get one started, or re-activated.  It does not cost money to form an association.

It's up to the association residents and board members to keep the group together by scheduling meetings, or rallying neighbors when an important issue is before them.

Call the Mayor's Office at 943-2300 to discuss the possible formation of an association.

The city can provide samples of by-laws and assist in finding a meeting location.  The mayor would attend the first meeting.

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How to contact an association

Here's a list of the neighborhood associations in Dearborn and their presidents.

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