Our Story

The vision for the organization began in 2012 when Rabbi Bennett, in his Yom Kippur service, encouraged his temple members to volunteer in Detroit. His message resonated with Diane ל״ז and Dr. Melvyn Rubenfire, who believe that Detroiters need greater access to healthy food. 

Dr. Rubenfire who is the Director of Preventive Cardiology and Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan believes that education is essential to sustaining health and wellness.  He was inspired to translate his nationally recognized preventive cardiology approach into a community-based wellness model for Detroiters, forming the basis for PHC’s nutrition education programs. Working in partnership with Hartford Memorial Baptist Church and the leadership of the Northwest Activities Center, PHC was founded.

PHC VALUES

…an evolving vision with endless opportunities

EVIDENCE MATTERS
​We challenge our assumptions through continuous evaluation so that we are able to refine as we innovate!

FEEDBACK MATTERS
We take care to listen to our community, families, teachers, donors and volunteers

FUN MATTERS
​We play because creativity and imagination spark students’ engagement and problem solving skills.

​Mission: Project Healthy Community is a health and wellness nonprofit that provides school and community-based nutrition, fitness, and mental health education and services for Detroit kindergarteners through seniors.

THE TEAM

Emily Athey 

Nutrition Educator

Jacob Benda-Torok 

Community Health Educator​​

​

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Bernadette Doré, JD, M.Ed 

​Executive Director 

Ersie Gentzis, M.A.
​
Doctoral Candidate, School Psychology
Family Wellness Program Lecturer

LaGail Hudson
 
​Assistant Food Program Coordinator

Stacie Hurst-Boyd,
​Exercise Kinesiologist

Senior Nutrition and Fitness Educator
sboyd@projecthealthycommunity.org

Nira Johnson
 
​Summer Camp Counselor

Kimberly Jones, Registered Dietician
​
Family Wellness Program Nutrition Educator

Sasha Kersey, MPH
​
Senior Nutrition Educator
sasha@projecthealthycommunity.org

Katie Riddle

Director of Development
kriddle@projecthealthycommunity.org
​313-702-0229

Karen Rubenfire*, LMSW

Chief Operating Officer
krsherbin@projecthealthycommunity.org
248-892-4585

Raegan Simpson

Summer Camp Counselor

Marcellus Wheeler

Community Garden Manager

Ernie Yoder, MD, PhD

Family Wellness Program Director

*Founding Members

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

​Bagley Elementary School of Journalism and Technology
Bates Academy
Cooke STEM Academy
Emerson Elementary-Middle School
Henderson Academy
Hutchinson/Howe
Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary-Middle School
​MacDowell Preparatory Academy
Palmer Park Academy
Pasteur Elementary School
Renaissance High School
Schulze Academy for Technology and Arts
Vernor Elementary School

​BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Project Healthy Community Executive Board at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, 2018.

Stanley Finsilver*
President

Shirley Myrick
Vice President

Mark Rubenfire
Vice President

Joshua Cascade
Secretary​

Larry Mathews
Treasurer

Melvyn Rubenfire*, MD
President Emeritus

at-large members

​Rev. Charles C. Adams

Rabbi Josh Bennett*

Jo Elyn Nyman​

Jeff Eisenshtadt

Matt Lester

Mindi Fynke

President Emeritus

Melvyn Rubenfire*, MD

*Founding members
Lisa Corey
Diane Rubenfire ז״ל

Careers

No current job openings.