Detroit, MI
Detroit nonprofit supporting women receives grant of over $7,000 to grow mission
Homelessness and human trafficking are worldwide issues that impact thousands of people in Detroit, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness.
However, one woman’s passion for making the community she once called home a safer place is receiving support from charitable organizations.
“I just saw a need in the community and it’s a big need in a community that I’m passionate about,” said founder and executive director of Elli’s House, Deb Ellinger.
On the streets of Detroit, there are women impacted by homelessness, human trafficking and substance abuse, circumstances that can be isolating, but not invisible to Ellinger.
“I have a passion for empowering women and showing them how they can thrive in the world,” said Ellinger.
She does this through her nonprofit, Elli’s House.
Ellinger houses young women while meeting many where they are in the community with clothes, food, supplies and support.
“I grew up in the city, so wherever we do outreach is close to the area I grew up in,” said Ellinger.
It’s an area where she has now helped around 180 people a week.
Ellinger will be able to do even more to continue her mission thanks to the Elks National Foundation in Michigan, which gave her a grant of over $7,000 on Sunday.
The foundation has captured the hearts of people who want to give back, and now Elli’s House can help even more.
“Thinking of all the supplies I can buy in the next few days, blankets are the biggest need and are hard to come by, so that’s the first thing I’m going to buy,” said Ellinger.
Survivors and victims of human trafficking can call 888-373-7888 to reach the National Human Trafficking Hotline, or text HELP to 233733.
A woman died, and a person is in custody, in the aftermath of a two-vehicle crash on Friday evening in Detroit.
An emergency call was placed at 7:39 p.m., reporting the crash at Collingwood and Belleterre streets. The Detroit Police Department said one of the drivers was traveling at a high rate of speed on Collingwood and disregarded a stop sign at the intersection, striking the other vehicle.
The crash killed a woman who is in her 40s and injured a man who is also in his 40s. A medical condition was not available for the injured man.
The Detroit Police Department said a suspect is in custody and they are continuing to investigate.
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Federal regulators say the autonomous vehicle company Waymo must stop its cars from blocking first responders. Waymo has been testing its vehicles in Detroit. The head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the agency found several cases of Waymo driver-less vehicles traveling into emergency scenes, blocking firefighters or failing to stop for flashing lights and flares. Federal regulators say they will meet with autonomous vehicle developers to devise ways to address the problem. A Waymo vehicle will stop, however, if it notices nefarious activity from kids riding in it. A Waymo car in California recently stopped in a parking lot and called police after two teens in its back seat allegedly began drinking alcohol and shooting water beads from a toy gun.
Additional headlines for Friday, July 10, 2026
Bar IX location coming soon?
Detroit’s first women’s sports bar is crowdfunding to open a permanent space. Bar IX hosts pop-up watch parties for women’s sports. The bar has raised 65 percent of if its 125-thousand-dollar goal since the campaign kicked off on June 30. Organizers are giving away merchandise such as stickers, keychains, and t-shirts with donations.
African World Festival
The African World Festival is this weekend at Hart Plaza. The festival celebrates culture and history with music, spoken word, food and a retail marketplace. The festival starts today and runs through Sunday. Visit Charles H Wright museum website at for more info and to buy tickets.
Lake St. Clair Metropark to receive updates
Lake St. Clair Metropark is getting 15 million dollars in improvements. The improvements include reopening the North Marina, expanding accessibility across the park, adding new trail connections and modernizing infrastructure. It’s the biggest investment in the park in decades. Renovations at the marina will fully reopen the marina with 78 boat slips for transient docking and bring accessible floating finger docks back to the North Marina basin. All renovations are expected to be completed by the end of summer 2027.
Detroit Riverfront tour
The Detroit Parks Coalition is hosting a free walking tour about the Detroit Riverfront tomorrow, July 11 from 10 a.m. to 11a.m. The tour will give an overview of the history of the riverfront as a well as more info on the newest Ralph C Wilson Centennial Park. Meet at the Dock, located near the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden across from the Plaza. Parking is available along Jefferson Ave, Rosa Parks, and in the nearby Bagley Mobility Hub and Assembly garages.
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