As a young child, Courtney Smith spent time in the foster care system and experienced homeless ness. She witnessed friends and family struggle with housing insecurity. Smith was determined to find better solutions for Detroit's resilient and underestimated youth. Driven by her vision of ensuring that young people have the support and resources they need to thrive, Smith embarked on a transformative journey in 2016 through the Millennial Trains Project—an innovative social incubator for aspiring change-makers committed to turning big ideas into real-world impact.

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Traveling across the country, Smith conducted focus groups and engaged with thought leaders tackling youth homelessness in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Milwaukee, Denver, and Detroit. Time and time again, she heard the same painful truth: countless young people felt their voices were ignored, and the existing systems in place were not effectively meeting their needs.

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Motivated by their stories and determined to amplify their voices, Smith returned to Detroit with a vision to reimagine how the city supports its most vulnerable youth. In 2017, Detroit Phoenix Center (DPC) was born—a completely volunteer-driven Asset-Based Resource Center providing drop-in services and essential support to teens and young adults.

Since then, we’ve come a long way. As the needs of our youth have evolved, so have we. 

 

Today, Detroit Phoenix Center offers a comprehensive range of programs and services designed to empower young people and provide them with the resources they need to build successful futures. Through our SOAR (Students Overcoming All Risks) program, we offer a safe, enriching space for students in grades 8-12 who are McKinney-Vento eligible, providing mentorship, educational support, and life skills training.

 

Recognizing the importance of mental health, DPC has partnered with organizations like BetterHelp to provide one-on-one therapy, support groups, and regular youth and family engagement outings. Our mental health and wellness services are built to ensure that young people have access to the emotional and psychological resources they need to heal and grow.

 

We also understand the importance of creating sustainable pathways for economic independence. Our workforce development programs are tailored to equip youth with practical skills and job training opportunities, empowering them to build brighter futures. Additionally, our educational initiatives include the Blair Memorial Scholarship, which helps students afford their education and pursue their dreams without financial barriers holding them back.

 

Detroit Phoenix Center is proud to be a Transitional Housing-Rapid Rehousing (TH-RRH) service provider, ensuring that young people have access to a 24-hour crisis bed and a pathway of up to three years of housing assistance accompanied by wrap-around support. This service provides a crucial lifeline to youth experiencing housing instability, helping them transition toward secure, independent living.

 

Furthermore, our Youth Action Board (YAB) serves as an interagency group of young leaders with lived experiences dedicated to informing the public about critical issues facing youth. They actively work to identify and eliminate barriers to housing, employment, education, and mental health services while advocating for increased resources to support youth transitioning toward stability.

 

To make our services more accessible, we launched YouthUp in April 2025, a mobile unit that meets youth where they are, delivering essential resources and services directly to them. This innovative approach ensures that help is never out of reach, regardless of where young people may find themselves.

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From our humble beginnings to our continued growth, Detroit Phoenix Center remains steadfast in our mission to uplift Detroit’s youth, helping them rise above adversity and realize their potential. We look forward to the evolution and impact of our next chapter.