HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords and Sen. Mark Kelly toured Highland Park’s transformative Avalon Village project Wednesday, led by community activist Shamayim “Mama Shu” Harris, who has turned neighborhood blight into a thriving community hub.
Harris guided the high-profile couple through her latest achievement, the Homework House, a safe haven where neighborhood children receive academic support, meals, and mentoring.
“You are helping kids do their homework and do better in school and educate them. There are a lot of federal opportunities available - we could help you identify some of those,” Kelly told Harris during the tour.
The visit highlighted Harris’s remarkable community revitalization efforts, which include purchasing and renovating abandoned homes, establishing urban gardens, and boosting small business owners.
“We do own practically the whole block, five homes we don’t, and this is the last blighted house,” Harris explained while showcasing the neighborhood’s transformation.
There’s a tutoring center and community space where business bootcamp classes and cooking programs operate, along with several other programs for community members. The facility distributes supplies to senior citizens twice a month.
During the visit, Harris told the couple about the devastating loss of two sons to gun violence, including one who was killed execution-style in 2015.
Kelly, who is scheduled to speak at a Warren town hall Friday evening, praised Harris’ initiative.
“It’s a bright spot, and when you see something like what Mama Shu is doing here, you have to wonder why can’t other people do that in other places,” Kelly said.
When asked about the attention she received today, Harris said, “It feels good to know other people are watching your work and basically got the eyes on Highland Park.”