Franklin Wright Settlements' has 143-year history of service in Detroit

A talented woman devoted to music arrived in Detroit to teach gifted students that shared her passion. That same woman then quickly abandoned what appeared to be a dream job and a career in music altogether because a new passion drove her to lend a helping hand to the neediest of the needy in Detroit.

This devoted, compassionate and driven woman was Margaret Stansbury, who came to Detroit in 1894 to teach at the prestigious Detroit Conservatory of Music. Instead, Stansbury found herself distressed over the living conditions of residents around her during a population boom sparked by rapid industrialization, which presented a host of challenges for the city’s working class and immigrant residents, including overcrowded neighborhoods, health problems and economic inequality.

Transforming feelings of distress into positive action after being mentored by the pioneering social worker Jane Addams in Chicago, Stansbury, a native of Illinois, would turn up again in Detroit. This time, in 1896, at 443 Franklin St. There, she became the first head resident of the Franklin Street Day Nursery and Kindergarten, later incorporated as Franklin Settlement. Stansbury’s assignment was significant given that decades before American women were granted the right to vote, women — particularly first-generation, college-educated women — were leaders in a Settlement House Movement that provided child care; education; recreation; medical, and social service programs, while promoting communication and collaboration across class lines.

“Modest, quiet, unassuming” and “always at the Settlement” serving as a “counselor and friend to members” were words published in the July 19, 1908, edition of the Detroit Free Press to describe Stansbury, who, for 10 years, advanced the work begun in 1881 by the Detroit Day Nursery and Kindergarten Association to include additional services and support for Detroiters of all ages. The description of Stansbury, which appeared in print a little more than a month after her death, was part of a “loving” tribute from the Franklin Street Settlement Woman’s Social Club that hailed Stansbury as a “pioneer in neighborhood work” who “influenced the progressive, philanthropic and charitable work of the city.”

Today, that pioneering work lives on in Detroit through what is now Franklin Wright Settlements (FWS), which continues to assist individuals, families and groups with basic life, family and social needs at two primary — Midtown and east side — locations and beyond through collaboration with numerous community partners.

“I'd rather do this than anything on Earth,” proclaims Monique Marks, who has been the president and CEO of FWS since 1998.

A proud native Detroiter, Marks began her journey with FWS in 1997 as the nonprofit’s deputy director and clinical social worker. When Marks passionately references “Franklin Street” or “1881” it is clear that she also is extremely proud of her organization’s “legacy of service.”

But as much as Marks delights in sharing the 143-year history of FWS, there was little time for that during the afternoon of Feb. 28, as a host of children participating in FWS’s after-school enrichment program were showering her with hugs and vying for more attention from “Ms. Monique” in the cafeteria of the nonprofit’s Midtown location at 7375 Woodward Ave. A day earlier, Marks described the after-school programs at FWS’ Midtown and East (3360 Charlevoix) locations as places and times during the day when her organization is able to do its part to “save the community.” On Feb. 28, it was apparent that the roughly 135 girls and boys at the Midtown location after school appreciated all that was being done for them, as they expressed their appreciation through smiles, laughter and words.

“What I enjoy most about the program is spending time with Ms. Monique and how they take care of us while our parents are at work,” said 10-year-old Kendrick Smith, a student at University Preparatory Academy Elementary School, who later sang a stirring stanza of “Lift Every Voice And Sing” in honor of Ms. Monique and the conclusion of Black History Month. “Everyone here is nice and helpful and if we didn’t have this program, I think a lot of kids would be needing help. And Franklin Wright Settlements also provides services for seniors and has things to help the babies, too, like day care.”

Standing considerably taller than Smith in the cafeteria, and looking every bit the part of a basketball player — which he is, as a ninth grader at University Prep Art & Design High School — was Miles Davis, who aspires to play basketball in college and professionally. However, Davis still makes time for the FWS after-school program, sometimes even after participating in basketball practice with his high school team, because he values what the program offers.

“It’s really about the people — the people here are amazing,” explained Davis, who also is interested in going to law school once his basketball days are over. “You can get your homework done; do activities; and then we have things like the college tour coming up. In the summer, GDYT (Grow Detroit’s Young Talent) comes here and they have a blast with us. It’s just a great culture here and we have fun all the time.”

The cafeteria where Davis spoke from was just the starting point for the after-school participants. It’s a place where the elementary, middle and high school students can get some nourishment and rehash their school day with friends in the program and FWS staff members. And it is that rehashing of the day ritual, which leads to extended animated conversations, that makes things just a little bit challenging for the nonprofit’s youth program director, China Smith. Because, at some point, her relatively tiny voice must find a way to be heard over the other many voices in order to announce the activity groups for the day. It is a challenge that China Smith has come to relish, along with other parts of her work.

“Listen, these kids are always on my heart,” China Smith, who also manages the summer camp program for FWS, said. “Everyday, I’m greeted with so many hugs. They want to cry, they want to laugh, and they always want to tell me how their day is going. I’m able to pour into their lives, but they also pour into my life through the sharing we do.”

China Smith is a former insurance broker and IT recruiter who had national responsibilities. But she says the opportunity she received 18 months ago to work for FWS has been a life-changing experience because she is now serving her hometown.

“I was living in the community, but I wasn’t in touch with the community; I couldn’t feel the pulse,” said China Smith, who grew up on the city’s west side and still remains in close contact with her Mumford High School classmates (Class of 2003). “To be a part of an organization with this much history in the city makes me feel real. I’ve been gifted with this opportunity and I’m very proud of the positive impact that we have on the children’s lives.”

The sounds that come from the various activity rooms where China Smith directs students to each day during the after-school program are literally music to the ears of Ahmad Nassar, vice president of strategy and development for FWS. During the periods of the COVID-19 pandemic when FWS was not able to have programming at its Midtown location, Nassar still came into his office and at times worked long hours alone in the building. Nassar says during those occasions he chose not to work remotely because he questioned his ability to be as productive at home, and accomplishing as much as he can for FWS is something he takes personally, including the work he performs to support the after-school program.

“We try to nurture the students and enrich their day,” said Nassar, who confided that he is able to relate to many of the students in the program because he was not always the most enthusiastic student in the school classrooms he sat in growing up. “The thought is that an after-school program where students are given a chance to choose what they desire to learn can be a big help, especially in a challenged community that has been neglected for a while. We try to fill that gap.”

Nassar also revealed that walking around the spacious Midtown building after school to look in on the various activities taking place also allows him to get in his daily exercise without needing a gym membership. In the afternoon and into the early evening on Feb. 28, Nassar walked with a pep in his step as he gave a tour to display the variety of activities that were available to the participants, including music, art, dance, two state-of-the-art computer labs, structural recreation and more.

Then there was one class, which perhaps best reflects how FWS has evolved through the years while still staying the same in terms of empowering Detroiters for success. In this class, taught by Rashida LaShawn Williams — affectionately known by many Detroiters as "The Glam Doctor" — young women are taught the unique skill of how to love themselves and others like them.

“My enrichment program, the Glam Movement, helps girls to love themselves inwardly and outwardly, and to also love others while having more self-awareness and self-acceptance,” Williams, who viewed the beginning of the pandemic as a perfect time to pitch her program to FWS, explained. “I’ve been doing this for a while now, it’s just something that’s in me. And getting these girls at elementary and middle school is so important because you get to mold their mindsets about what they think of themselves. I want the girls to always believe in themselves and show up in the world being good people and knowing what sisterhood is and what real friendship is.

"I've done many things with Franklin Wright Settlements as a volunteer and that’s why I presented a proposal to be a part of this program that has helped so many people through the years. I love children; I love working with children; and I thought I had something to offer that was absolutely necessary for the girls’ lives.”

Scott Talley is a native Detroiter, a proud product of Detroit Public Schools and a lifelong lover of Detroit culture in its diverse forms. In his second tour with the Free Press, which he grew up reading as a child, he is excited and humbled to cover the city’s neighborhoods and the many interesting people who define its various communities. Contact him at stalley@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @STalleyfreep. Read more of Scott's stories at www.freep.com/mosaic/detroit-is/. Please help us grow great community-focused journalism by becoming a subscriber.

A 143-year tradition of serving Detroiters

What: Franklin Wright Settlements

President & CEO: Monique Marks

Mission: Embracing the settlement house philosophy and a multi-service holistic approach in cooperation with the community, Franklin Wright Settlements assists individuals, families and groups with basic life, family and social needs. This work is performed through advocacy, programs, projects, activities, services and facilities.

Services and programs:  At two primary locations—Midtown (7375 Woodward Avenue) and East (3360 Charlevoix)—and beyond through collaboration with numerous community partners, the services and programs provided by Franklin Wright Settlements include an after-school enrichment program; early child development; senior outreach services; teen center; summer enrichment program; college tour; emergency services; and more.

Learn more: For additional information, please visit franklinwright.org

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Franklin Wright Settlements' 143-year story is defined by service