Ceciliaville and the Detroit Pistons Partner on Community Activations
New nonprofit community organization to offer athletic programs, mentoring, job training and financial literacy skills on Detroit’s West Side
Detroit – March 24, 2021 — Ceciliaville announced a strategic community partnership with the Detroit Pistons. This partnership is launched with a mutual commitment from both organizations towards enhancing sports and community service access across the west side of Detroit, with a legendary gym serving as the backdrop.
Ceciliaville is a new non-denominational, nonprofit charitable organization working to bring a world class sports facility and community center to the area around St. Charles Lwanga Parish, in Detroit’s Russell Woods / Nardin Park neighborhood. The facility’s athletic programs will be accompanied by mentoring and tutoring services, job training, and financial literacy resources, among others, all available in an adjacent community center.
The effort follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the historic Ceciliaville originally founded at the same site in 1967 to provide a safe space for area youth amid a time of great racial strife.
“Considering its origins, it is fitting that Ceciliaville would experience a renewal this year, amid the difficulties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and racial outcries crossing the nation over the past several months,” said Dr. Isaiah “Ike” McKinnon, former Detroit police chief and chair of Ceciliaville’s board of directors. “We are so grateful that the Pistons have partnered with us to help breathe new life into Ceciliaville and position it once again as a safe, inspiring, transformational center for young men and women to connect over basketball and other community activities.”
Some of the National Basketball League’s biggest stars played in the Ceciliaville gym, called “The Saint,” beginning in the late 1960s. Considering the rich basketball history of Ceciliaville, the Detroit Pistons said supporting the organization and its programming, both on and off the court, aligns with their mission to be part of city they call home. Additionally, former Detroit Pistons legend Earl Cureton and Pistons’ community ambassador currently serves on the board of Ceciliaville.
The new Ceciliaville organization was created with assistance from the Archdiocese of Detroit and St. Charles Lwanga (formerly St. Cecilia) Parish. Phase One of renewal efforts will preserve and update the legendary gym’s structure to bring sports and community services back to the neighborhood later this summer. The work is timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of neighboring St. Charles Lwanga Parish, in May.
“The historic Ceciliaville helped the Black community in Detroit, and especially in our parish neighborhood, feel safe and overcome many societal challenges that are still present today,” said Father Ted Parker, pastor of St. Charles Lwanga Parish. “It will be a true blessing to witness Ceciliaville return and continue its mission of positive change in Detroit’s life and the future of our youth.”
Ceciliaville’s organizers will continue to engage with the community on the second phase of renewal efforts, to feature additional athletic spaces, a community center and other developments, in the coming months. With the support of Mayor Mike Duggan’s neighborhood efforts, Ceciliaville is poised to uphold and expand its impact on changing the lives of young people in Detroit today.