DETROIT – Some community members are jumping into action, trying to help a long serving community leader on Detroit’s east side recover from a recent house fire.
Friends and neighbors said Artina Hardman lost everything in a fire at her home over the Christmas holiday. Now, they are making it their mission to help a woman who’s made it her mission to help so many others.
“I have to give gratefulness to God, because I was not there,” Hardman explained as she stood outside her house.
Hardman is a Director at the Mack Alive Community Center. She said she returned home from work on Dec. 27 to find her house in Detroit’s Historic Cadillac Boulevard community damaged due to an electrical fire.
“If it happened in the nighttime, or one or two in the morning, this would have been a different outcome,” Hardman explained. “I would never have gotten out of that smoke.”
Everything inside of her house was destroyed. Hardman said she didn’t have homeowner’s insurance because it was too costly.
Her faith remains strong.
Friends and other community members are now leaping into action to help, by organizing a donation drive for Hardman.
“She resources us,” explained Dana Johnson. “She cares for us. She loves us. She’s a real pillar in the community.”
Friends and supporters are encouraging other community members to also consider helping Hardman through this challenging time.
The community leader continues giving of her time, during such a tough time.
“That community work is what keeps me going,” Hardman explained. “It’s not a job. It’s a mission. It’s my purpose in life to help other people.”
Hardman said she will continue helping families and seniors through her work at the Mack Alive Community Center at 3746 Fischer Street in Detroit.
Meantime, she’s working to figure out things at home.
“Sometimes, you know, we can be very prideful, and we don’t want to ask for help. I was at that point. But then I realized, this was a situation where I need help.”
Organizers are encouraging community members who are willing to help Artina Hardman replace some of the items she lost in the fire to submit donations here.