Marva Stewart, April 27th, 2024
Title
Marva Stewart, April 27th, 2024
Description
In this interview, Marva Stewart discusses the Manistique Treehouse Center's outreach efforts and how they help her community.
In partnership with the Manistique Community Treehouse Center
In partnership with the Manistique Community Treehouse Center
Publisher
Detroit Historical Society
Rights
Detroit Historical Society
Language
en-US
Narrator/Interviewee's Name
Marva Stewart
Interviewer's Name
Kevin Hawthorne
Date
04/27/2024
Interview Length
22:13
Transcription
Kevin Hawthorne: Hello, this is Kevin Hawthorne with the Detroit Historical Society for the oral history project, and I am here with Marva Stewart. Could you please spell your name for the record?
Marva Stewart: It's M a r v as in Victor a S t e w a r t.
KH: All right, thank you and do you live in the city of Detroit?
MS: Yes I do.
KH: In which neighborhood.
MS: Jefferson. Chalmers.
KH: Excellent and how long have you lived in that neighborhood?
MS: For 40 years.
KH: Have you lived in any other neighborhoods in the city?
MS: Yes, I have.
KH: Which ones?
MS: On Parker Street, off of Kercheval, on Townsend Street, off of Kercheval. Really like in the Indian village area. Mostly in my younger years.
KH: Okay, excellent thank you and, do you work in the city of Detroit?
MS: Yes I do.
KH: Which career are you in?
MS: I'm teaching literacy for second and third graders through the, Detroit public school system.
KH: All right excellent thank you so much and where do you work?
MS: Detroit public schools.
KH: Detroit public school system. Thank you. And so with your, working in the Detroit public schools, what services does your organization offer to the community to try and combat climate change?
MS: Actually, in March, we had our reading month, and, the tree house was one of the picks that I pulled to do solar panel, showing the second and third graders how the solar panels actually work and they really enjoyed it. Yeah.
KH: Yeah. How are the kids reacting to this?
MS: They were excited because they were taught by their teachers about solar panels early in the semester. So when, the tree house came in and showed them how to do solar panels, how the solar actually lights up and turns into, electricity, they were really, really, really excited about it and loved it. Yeah.
KH: So do you think it's important to especially start teaching kids, younger kids about solar power and green efforts as necessary?
MS: Yeah yes absolutely, because they understand.
KH: Yes. Do you think that some people, think that kids that are that young aren't able to understand that? But do you think, like, people underestimate how kids can understand, green efforts?
MS: Yeah, very much so.
KH: All right thank you. And so we we talked about the tree house of solar efforts, and talking about the tree house. Can you explain, the treehouse a little bit more in depth, like the project?
MS: Yeah. The treehouse actually have more than just this project with the solar panels. They also have a mental health helping with the community, with mental health. People who needs help with children's mental health? They also have— they service the seniors. It's a lot that that the treehouse does.
KH: So when did tree House start? When did the tree house project start exactly?
MS: I just joined, like when I got solar panels, so i don't know exactly when it actually started, but I'm quite sure it was quite a while ago.
KH: All right. Excellent. How long have. So you, when did you get solar panels? You said you have them yourself.
MS: Yes, I have solar panels. I got them in 2021 right before the pandemic.
KH: Yeah, right. 2021 is when you got them. How did you go through with that effort? What was the process of getting them?
MS: The process for getting them. It wasn't bad at all. It just took time because every step that they, the company does with solar panels. You must be inspected by the city inspectors first. So when they started putting the panels up, they lay the ground tools on the roof. So the city has to come out, inspect it to make sure all the plugs were in the right spot. Then they put the actual panels up. The inspector has to come out, make sure that the panels are in the right spot so everything is inspected as you go forward with solar panels. So if anybody is hearing this inspectors hasn't come out, you need to question that, why? Because they have to make sure when they put that side box up that attaches to the panels, you got, the inspector has to come out to make sure that all electrical information is well, you got to make sure you have a ground wire on your home. You know, if not, the tree house will send you a person that will do that whatever you need. If your roof needs repair, before because you can't have a bad roof and have solar panels put on.
KH: So the tree house help you install your solar panels?
MS: They walk you right through it yep. They do, hey actually do the installation. Yeah.
KH: So had you been thinking about, for a while to get solar panels? What was really the thing that made you push over to do it?
MS: No, I never actually is funny because it is funny and not funny. I was the year before I even met Tammy, i was as like "God is it any way that I don't have to pay utility bills?" I know you laughing because everybody has utility bills to pay, but I think like two weeks or so after that, Tammy knocked on my door. Why? I don't know. She knocked on my door and asked me, had I ever thought about getting solar panels? And I'm like, I didn't even know her and I'm like, where's she coming in asking me about solar? But but it really almost took her like two years to get me. I went to her last meeting and she had a folder set up for me showing me how the solar panels would look on my home by DTE and how many panels would be needed and how much I would save every year. So I was yep, I said okay, I won.
KH: So Tammy was like, going door to door.
MS: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
KH: And okay, that's awesome that she was able to, spread the word by that. And have you since you've joined a tree house, have you done any, like, going door to door yourself?
MS: I did some little, fliers. I put door to door.
KH: Yeah. Is that, is there any other ways the tree house, makes the community aware of it? Or is door to door the main one?
MS: Door to door is the main one but Tammy may have some other, you know, suggestions that she does. But as far as I know, it's mostly door to door or phone calls.
KH: All right.
MS: Yeah.
KH: Okay. That's awesome. And so the tree house has a lot of other, services, especially with flooding prevention. What is, the details of the flood prevention program you guys have?
MS: The flood prevention, they brought in another company that does, they research and they do. I can't tell you. I don't I can't remember the name, but we had a meeting here and they was telling us about, you know, the precautions we can take prior to the, a flood coming. So if it's a flood warning, we'll be supplied with radios to tell us, okay there's a flood of flood possible flood warning. Get prepared. You have so many days or you got so many hours. It's a whole company that are coming in, and they're working on it now, but they're going to come in and let us know when to get there, how to get prepared for it. Yeah.
KH: All right. Excellent. And so you talked about the solar efforts and going door to door. But you also have greening efforts. What does that entail?
MS: Pardon me.
KH: What is the, tree houses greening efforts?
MS: The greening efforts after the solar panels? She has an outdoor, kitchen now. And what that does is it if you're having a family reunion or something, you can use the outdoor kitchen, which was just built last year, to have your family reunion is all covered in. And you can have it on a big space and it has a whole kitchen set up outside so you can fix whatever you want. Pots and pans, everything is included.
KH: And I especially think that, with the summer coming up, that's a big part of helping the community with family events during the summer.
MS: Yeah, she has a community garden. And with that, if you want you can take vegetables home. They have a cherry tree, they have Is it a pear tree ?it's some trees out there. You can go to pick the fruits and you can get the vegetables. And they they plant every year.
KH: Wow. That's really amazing that you're able to provide that.
MS: Yep, yep. And that's for the community. Yeah. Oh I'm sorry. No, no. You know, and she also have, like, community, programs for children. So last year, year before last, they did a service where children can say, okay, I want to be I want to be entrepreneur I want to have a lemonade stand and they taught you step by step how to the five year old's can have a lemonade stand, and the older kids might want to do something else. And they all had those and they they were paid.
KH: Oh that's great.
MS: They got a they got a little check for doing it. Yeah.
KH: How has the community feedback been? Do a lot of these programs.
MS: They like it. The community loves it.
KH: Yeah, I can imagine that's a really great way to foster community in a very positive way. Yeah. Excellent. And, the tree house has a partnership with the National Weather Service. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
MS: Yeah, the National Weather Service, they they are, They're working with us now to inform us, about the, the possible flood warnings that's coming, where they will be getting radios and on the radios, it'll be and let you know ok there's a flood coming in there. Let us know, you know, what time it'll be there or what time is may get there, but get prepared.
KH: Like prepared. Like just being able to get stuff out of the basement?
MS: Yeah. Well, right now, they ask us to keep your. You're in anything in the basement keep it above ground by at least two feet or more. Because normally when a flood comes in, it's gushing. The last flood we had, mine was three feet. So they ask you to, you know, have to have everything up not to have, like, make, making an apartment or anything in your basements, you know, because, the flood that may be coming, it'll tear up, you know, mess up all of your— and if you don't have insurance on it, like, backup insurance, you on your own basically go you go through FEMA. Yeah. Yeah.
KH: So how do you think your of a tree house is able to educate the community on climate change?
MS: Mostly if we have plan meetings. So the community is invited at all times, but they really, you know, you don't see that. You see the people who are involved in it. But you as far as the community, people coming here, you might see a few, you know, that comes in to listen. And if they don't hear what they like, then they fuss and they don't want to come back and add to that. So but now, yeah, we, we send out fliers and say, okay, we're having a community meeting. And what's entailed in that meeting is this. And sometimes we say, well, the mayor's going to possibly be there, you know, because he if he say he can't, things can change. But normally, you know, the mayor may be out. He's been here quite a few times for the for us.
KH: Where do the meetings usually take place?
MS: The meetings well the ones I've been to this year or last year was here in the Lennox in this building. So, normally, where did we used to have meetings at? Oh at the tree house where they do the vegetable gardening we had meetings there.
KH: And where's the tree house's physical location.
MS: Manistique
KH: Okay.
MS: Yeah, I would say 259 Manistique , but you can see it, It is right across the street from me. And then they have a butterfly, it's like a butterfly they do yoga and all that on another site. That's another community habitat.
KH: So you said you joined the tree house in 2021, and, when did you did you start attending meetings right away, or did it take a little bit.
MS: It it I think by maybe about. During the pandemic. About 2022 2023. That's when I really got involved, especially when the, solar panels, when I got the solar panels and I'm showing Tammy, you know, I say, look how much I'm saving. And so she asked me to come on board because because they go out now, they do have, different places that we go to to talk to the community. So we go out to different districts, me and Harold Wilcox, and, he teaches the solar panels, but we go out and he tells about the solar panels, and I tell them how I like my how I like my solar panels. So that draws people into want them.
KH: And, how many people do you think show up usually to every meeting. And have you seen an increase in people starting to show up over the since the time you've joined?
MS: Yeah, I've seen an increase. Yeah. So it'd be about 30 people if that many.
KH: Oh that's great. So with 30 people, that's like a decent amount of people. Are you hoping to reach even more with just going door to door?
MS: Yeah. We. Yeah. Yeah. We try to reach more people. More than going door to door. Right now, I think Thursday, they. She wants a Tammy wants people to volunteer from, is it 10 to 12 and then from 5 to 6 or something like that just to, contact people about.
KH: So you said you seen a lot of positive community from the feedback. Have you seen any feedback that's just kind of like apathetic?
MS: Yeah, I've seen that where people say, here we go again. It's not going to work and daddadada, but until you, you, I, I always tell people you have to put in your patience when you sign up for something, you have to take your patience with you because you don't know how long it's going to take before they get to you. If I hadn't had my patience, Detroit water and sewage, even though in the neighborhood I live in, every body are surrounded me had their, pipe water pipes changed because they had left and I found out I had lead. So I called Great Lakes Water Authority they came out, tested my pipes, and found out I did have a lot of lead. So the city of Detroit, I contacted the water company, and when Great Lakes Water Authority sent me the paperwork saying that you do have lead, I contacted Detroit and they came out and fixed my pipe. But they didn't do the whole street because if you don't tell, if you don't say nothing, they're not going to do it. You know, if people don't, if people don't get in there and say how they feel, you know, if the if your next if you say your next door neighbor, you should call them and they'll come and check your pipes and make sure everything is all right, because I have lead. You may have it, call them anyway because it's free is a free service. Then if you don't do it, they're not going to know, you know, but they'll come to me. I can't keep telling grown people, you know this is what you need to do. I can only tell you so much is up to you to take that stand. And so the squeaky wheel, like they say, the squeaky wheel always get the taken care of.
KH: Yes.
MS: And I'm a squeaky wheel.
KH: Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
MS: The grease. Yeah, the squeaky wheel. And even with my sewage, they came out and did that. But I had to wait. I had my patience and waited in two weeks, about three weeks ago they came and did that the back in front.
KH: Okay, so you say going door to door. Some people are a little apathetic and kind of apprehensive of like, oh, it's not going to work. Have you dealt with people who just think, I don't think climate change is a problem. Have you had any experience with people who are just kind of resistant?
MS: People said that they don't think climate change is the problem.
KH: Okay. So you see a lot of people are receptive of they think climate change is an issue.
MS: Yes. Yeah everybody just about basically everybody. Even though they say well I don't think what they, the results is going to be right. They still say yeah that is the problem.
KH: So so they believe climate change is a problem, but they just are a little wary of the solutions sometimes of... do. Is it, do you think it's because, with a lot of times in the city, things aren't as dealt with as swiftly as people wish.
MS: Correct. With me, I think climate change is part of the problem, but I also think you got to take care of the city before you, you know, like with our floods, every flood we have, it wasn't because of climate change. It was because they never cleaned out the system. So that's where we got fed up with... because everything is clogged. So now in my neighborhood, what I do is when I'm doing my yard work, I'll go down and clean off the, sewage tap the top parts of the sewage because it leaves the stuff just sitting there where they just, you know, and that clogs up the, the line. And now the water can't get through it because it has been there and they just sat on it and infested in it for so long you're stuck. So until somebody going and sweep it out or pull it, pull those leaves out, that water is going to be sitting on top and then there's the part of the flood again. So when we have backups, that's what basically happens is that that catch from the company is not lifted so the water can flow. So yeah it's on that climate change is the mixture of it. Yeah.
KH: Yeah. It's the two coalescing together. Yeah. Excellent. Thank you. that's a great perspective to hear.
MS: Yeah.
KH: All right.
MS: All right.
KH: So we've been talking a lot about green infrastructure and you yourself said you have solar panels. If you could have one piece of green organization besides, like, you know, green infrastructure besides solar panels that your organization could offer, which one would you like... Like things like, wind turbines and things like that... are there any others you'd like to implement?
MS: What is a win?
KH: Or a wind turbines? Like a big windmill, like the those big white ones with the three blades?
MS: I'd, I'd rather go with the solar panels.
KH: With solar panels.
MS: With the windmill. I mean, I'm thinking about where I am, where I'm located. I think they will work far better in a more open area. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
KH: And I think with solar panels still, a lot of people still are wary of that sometimes. Like we believe that solar panels are very expensive and in many cases they are. But would you just let them know that the tree house provides it at a very good rate, right?
MS: Yeah, yeah. And two, the solar panels are expensive and and a lot of people now, I've heard good stories and bad stories. The bad stories were, where people where the solar company went out of business and the person just don't have no more solar and I'm like, I'm trying to think I said, well, if you're plugged into the system, you're plugged into TV. If you're paying your bill, your solar panels shouldn't go anywhere because they closed down. But a lot of the thing is, a lot of people rent their solar panels so the company can cut those off. If you don't pay your bill, you know, with solar panels, they can cut it off or, you know, something else could happen. But, I think that theThat's it.
KH: That's it.
MS: Yeah, but I think that solar panels. Like I said, if you don't, its a lot of horror stories. I haven't had anyone. Yeah. When I go out, I speak publicly and I speak. I tell them I said, this is not happened to me. And a lot of people that had solar panels. One lady comes to every meeting and says, I have my solar panels still don't work and we just looking at each other. So Tammy did tell her, she said, well, what you can do is we can what we can do is replace them, but we would have to replace them with our panels. We can't we can't let you keep the other companies panels because we don't know what you know. We know how to set up ours. We can't set up theirs. Yeah.
KH: Yeah. And so obviously tree houses helping provide it throughout a lot of residential areas. Would you love to see this or would you like to see the city just implement a lot of solar panels throughout the city in general?
MS: I sure would, because, it's it's a lifesaver for real and the you get like a 25 year warranty on the panels, so you're not paying to have them fixed. The companies coming out to fix them. So, you know, again, I tell people, be aware of who you're asking to put the panels on. If it's not a reputable company, I do. I do suggest Tammy, because I know Tammy has the heart and soul to do for the community. And I'm not saying it to be a commercial, but that's her and I've seen the horror stories from people who went through companies that have closed up and they don't they don't have solar panels, they still gotta pay that bill, right?
KH: You know. All right. Excellent. Is there any final thoughts that you'd like to say before we end?
MS: Enjoyed. I enjoy the tree house. I love the tree house. As a matter of fact, they partnered with my church. So now we're getting ready to do, she does with the community also. What is that? You can buy up stock in stock classes So it's helping you with your own financial.
KH: Oh. That's amazing.
MS: So she has a class for kids and a class for adults. And, we're getting ready to do one for adults in the community.
KH: Oh. That's incredible. When is that going to be starting?
MS: Once I get the event. Once I get the date and stuff. Because so many people, when I mention it, they say, when is it going to come?
KH: And, what is your, the name of your church that's helping partner with the tree house?
MS: Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church is on Seven Mile near Mount Elliot. All right. Yeah.
KH: All right. Well, thank you so much for your time today. I really appreciate it.
MS: Thank you. Okay. Bye bye. Bye bye.
KH: All right.
Marva Stewart: It's M a r v as in Victor a S t e w a r t.
KH: All right, thank you and do you live in the city of Detroit?
MS: Yes I do.
KH: In which neighborhood.
MS: Jefferson. Chalmers.
KH: Excellent and how long have you lived in that neighborhood?
MS: For 40 years.
KH: Have you lived in any other neighborhoods in the city?
MS: Yes, I have.
KH: Which ones?
MS: On Parker Street, off of Kercheval, on Townsend Street, off of Kercheval. Really like in the Indian village area. Mostly in my younger years.
KH: Okay, excellent thank you and, do you work in the city of Detroit?
MS: Yes I do.
KH: Which career are you in?
MS: I'm teaching literacy for second and third graders through the, Detroit public school system.
KH: All right excellent thank you so much and where do you work?
MS: Detroit public schools.
KH: Detroit public school system. Thank you. And so with your, working in the Detroit public schools, what services does your organization offer to the community to try and combat climate change?
MS: Actually, in March, we had our reading month, and, the tree house was one of the picks that I pulled to do solar panel, showing the second and third graders how the solar panels actually work and they really enjoyed it. Yeah.
KH: Yeah. How are the kids reacting to this?
MS: They were excited because they were taught by their teachers about solar panels early in the semester. So when, the tree house came in and showed them how to do solar panels, how the solar actually lights up and turns into, electricity, they were really, really, really excited about it and loved it. Yeah.
KH: So do you think it's important to especially start teaching kids, younger kids about solar power and green efforts as necessary?
MS: Yeah yes absolutely, because they understand.
KH: Yes. Do you think that some people, think that kids that are that young aren't able to understand that? But do you think, like, people underestimate how kids can understand, green efforts?
MS: Yeah, very much so.
KH: All right thank you. And so we we talked about the tree house of solar efforts, and talking about the tree house. Can you explain, the treehouse a little bit more in depth, like the project?
MS: Yeah. The treehouse actually have more than just this project with the solar panels. They also have a mental health helping with the community, with mental health. People who needs help with children's mental health? They also have— they service the seniors. It's a lot that that the treehouse does.
KH: So when did tree House start? When did the tree house project start exactly?
MS: I just joined, like when I got solar panels, so i don't know exactly when it actually started, but I'm quite sure it was quite a while ago.
KH: All right. Excellent. How long have. So you, when did you get solar panels? You said you have them yourself.
MS: Yes, I have solar panels. I got them in 2021 right before the pandemic.
KH: Yeah, right. 2021 is when you got them. How did you go through with that effort? What was the process of getting them?
MS: The process for getting them. It wasn't bad at all. It just took time because every step that they, the company does with solar panels. You must be inspected by the city inspectors first. So when they started putting the panels up, they lay the ground tools on the roof. So the city has to come out, inspect it to make sure all the plugs were in the right spot. Then they put the actual panels up. The inspector has to come out, make sure that the panels are in the right spot so everything is inspected as you go forward with solar panels. So if anybody is hearing this inspectors hasn't come out, you need to question that, why? Because they have to make sure when they put that side box up that attaches to the panels, you got, the inspector has to come out to make sure that all electrical information is well, you got to make sure you have a ground wire on your home. You know, if not, the tree house will send you a person that will do that whatever you need. If your roof needs repair, before because you can't have a bad roof and have solar panels put on.
KH: So the tree house help you install your solar panels?
MS: They walk you right through it yep. They do, hey actually do the installation. Yeah.
KH: So had you been thinking about, for a while to get solar panels? What was really the thing that made you push over to do it?
MS: No, I never actually is funny because it is funny and not funny. I was the year before I even met Tammy, i was as like "God is it any way that I don't have to pay utility bills?" I know you laughing because everybody has utility bills to pay, but I think like two weeks or so after that, Tammy knocked on my door. Why? I don't know. She knocked on my door and asked me, had I ever thought about getting solar panels? And I'm like, I didn't even know her and I'm like, where's she coming in asking me about solar? But but it really almost took her like two years to get me. I went to her last meeting and she had a folder set up for me showing me how the solar panels would look on my home by DTE and how many panels would be needed and how much I would save every year. So I was yep, I said okay, I won.
KH: So Tammy was like, going door to door.
MS: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
KH: And okay, that's awesome that she was able to, spread the word by that. And have you since you've joined a tree house, have you done any, like, going door to door yourself?
MS: I did some little, fliers. I put door to door.
KH: Yeah. Is that, is there any other ways the tree house, makes the community aware of it? Or is door to door the main one?
MS: Door to door is the main one but Tammy may have some other, you know, suggestions that she does. But as far as I know, it's mostly door to door or phone calls.
KH: All right.
MS: Yeah.
KH: Okay. That's awesome. And so the tree house has a lot of other, services, especially with flooding prevention. What is, the details of the flood prevention program you guys have?
MS: The flood prevention, they brought in another company that does, they research and they do. I can't tell you. I don't I can't remember the name, but we had a meeting here and they was telling us about, you know, the precautions we can take prior to the, a flood coming. So if it's a flood warning, we'll be supplied with radios to tell us, okay there's a flood of flood possible flood warning. Get prepared. You have so many days or you got so many hours. It's a whole company that are coming in, and they're working on it now, but they're going to come in and let us know when to get there, how to get prepared for it. Yeah.
KH: All right. Excellent. And so you talked about the solar efforts and going door to door. But you also have greening efforts. What does that entail?
MS: Pardon me.
KH: What is the, tree houses greening efforts?
MS: The greening efforts after the solar panels? She has an outdoor, kitchen now. And what that does is it if you're having a family reunion or something, you can use the outdoor kitchen, which was just built last year, to have your family reunion is all covered in. And you can have it on a big space and it has a whole kitchen set up outside so you can fix whatever you want. Pots and pans, everything is included.
KH: And I especially think that, with the summer coming up, that's a big part of helping the community with family events during the summer.
MS: Yeah, she has a community garden. And with that, if you want you can take vegetables home. They have a cherry tree, they have Is it a pear tree ?it's some trees out there. You can go to pick the fruits and you can get the vegetables. And they they plant every year.
KH: Wow. That's really amazing that you're able to provide that.
MS: Yep, yep. And that's for the community. Yeah. Oh I'm sorry. No, no. You know, and she also have, like, community, programs for children. So last year, year before last, they did a service where children can say, okay, I want to be I want to be entrepreneur I want to have a lemonade stand and they taught you step by step how to the five year old's can have a lemonade stand, and the older kids might want to do something else. And they all had those and they they were paid.
KH: Oh that's great.
MS: They got a they got a little check for doing it. Yeah.
KH: How has the community feedback been? Do a lot of these programs.
MS: They like it. The community loves it.
KH: Yeah, I can imagine that's a really great way to foster community in a very positive way. Yeah. Excellent. And, the tree house has a partnership with the National Weather Service. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
MS: Yeah, the National Weather Service, they they are, They're working with us now to inform us, about the, the possible flood warnings that's coming, where they will be getting radios and on the radios, it'll be and let you know ok there's a flood coming in there. Let us know, you know, what time it'll be there or what time is may get there, but get prepared.
KH: Like prepared. Like just being able to get stuff out of the basement?
MS: Yeah. Well, right now, they ask us to keep your. You're in anything in the basement keep it above ground by at least two feet or more. Because normally when a flood comes in, it's gushing. The last flood we had, mine was three feet. So they ask you to, you know, have to have everything up not to have, like, make, making an apartment or anything in your basements, you know, because, the flood that may be coming, it'll tear up, you know, mess up all of your— and if you don't have insurance on it, like, backup insurance, you on your own basically go you go through FEMA. Yeah. Yeah.
KH: So how do you think your of a tree house is able to educate the community on climate change?
MS: Mostly if we have plan meetings. So the community is invited at all times, but they really, you know, you don't see that. You see the people who are involved in it. But you as far as the community, people coming here, you might see a few, you know, that comes in to listen. And if they don't hear what they like, then they fuss and they don't want to come back and add to that. So but now, yeah, we, we send out fliers and say, okay, we're having a community meeting. And what's entailed in that meeting is this. And sometimes we say, well, the mayor's going to possibly be there, you know, because he if he say he can't, things can change. But normally, you know, the mayor may be out. He's been here quite a few times for the for us.
KH: Where do the meetings usually take place?
MS: The meetings well the ones I've been to this year or last year was here in the Lennox in this building. So, normally, where did we used to have meetings at? Oh at the tree house where they do the vegetable gardening we had meetings there.
KH: And where's the tree house's physical location.
MS: Manistique
KH: Okay.
MS: Yeah, I would say 259 Manistique , but you can see it, It is right across the street from me. And then they have a butterfly, it's like a butterfly they do yoga and all that on another site. That's another community habitat.
KH: So you said you joined the tree house in 2021, and, when did you did you start attending meetings right away, or did it take a little bit.
MS: It it I think by maybe about. During the pandemic. About 2022 2023. That's when I really got involved, especially when the, solar panels, when I got the solar panels and I'm showing Tammy, you know, I say, look how much I'm saving. And so she asked me to come on board because because they go out now, they do have, different places that we go to to talk to the community. So we go out to different districts, me and Harold Wilcox, and, he teaches the solar panels, but we go out and he tells about the solar panels, and I tell them how I like my how I like my solar panels. So that draws people into want them.
KH: And, how many people do you think show up usually to every meeting. And have you seen an increase in people starting to show up over the since the time you've joined?
MS: Yeah, I've seen an increase. Yeah. So it'd be about 30 people if that many.
KH: Oh that's great. So with 30 people, that's like a decent amount of people. Are you hoping to reach even more with just going door to door?
MS: Yeah. We. Yeah. Yeah. We try to reach more people. More than going door to door. Right now, I think Thursday, they. She wants a Tammy wants people to volunteer from, is it 10 to 12 and then from 5 to 6 or something like that just to, contact people about.
KH: So you said you seen a lot of positive community from the feedback. Have you seen any feedback that's just kind of like apathetic?
MS: Yeah, I've seen that where people say, here we go again. It's not going to work and daddadada, but until you, you, I, I always tell people you have to put in your patience when you sign up for something, you have to take your patience with you because you don't know how long it's going to take before they get to you. If I hadn't had my patience, Detroit water and sewage, even though in the neighborhood I live in, every body are surrounded me had their, pipe water pipes changed because they had left and I found out I had lead. So I called Great Lakes Water Authority they came out, tested my pipes, and found out I did have a lot of lead. So the city of Detroit, I contacted the water company, and when Great Lakes Water Authority sent me the paperwork saying that you do have lead, I contacted Detroit and they came out and fixed my pipe. But they didn't do the whole street because if you don't tell, if you don't say nothing, they're not going to do it. You know, if people don't, if people don't get in there and say how they feel, you know, if the if your next if you say your next door neighbor, you should call them and they'll come and check your pipes and make sure everything is all right, because I have lead. You may have it, call them anyway because it's free is a free service. Then if you don't do it, they're not going to know, you know, but they'll come to me. I can't keep telling grown people, you know this is what you need to do. I can only tell you so much is up to you to take that stand. And so the squeaky wheel, like they say, the squeaky wheel always get the taken care of.
KH: Yes.
MS: And I'm a squeaky wheel.
KH: Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
MS: The grease. Yeah, the squeaky wheel. And even with my sewage, they came out and did that. But I had to wait. I had my patience and waited in two weeks, about three weeks ago they came and did that the back in front.
KH: Okay, so you say going door to door. Some people are a little apathetic and kind of apprehensive of like, oh, it's not going to work. Have you dealt with people who just think, I don't think climate change is a problem. Have you had any experience with people who are just kind of resistant?
MS: People said that they don't think climate change is the problem.
KH: Okay. So you see a lot of people are receptive of they think climate change is an issue.
MS: Yes. Yeah everybody just about basically everybody. Even though they say well I don't think what they, the results is going to be right. They still say yeah that is the problem.
KH: So so they believe climate change is a problem, but they just are a little wary of the solutions sometimes of... do. Is it, do you think it's because, with a lot of times in the city, things aren't as dealt with as swiftly as people wish.
MS: Correct. With me, I think climate change is part of the problem, but I also think you got to take care of the city before you, you know, like with our floods, every flood we have, it wasn't because of climate change. It was because they never cleaned out the system. So that's where we got fed up with... because everything is clogged. So now in my neighborhood, what I do is when I'm doing my yard work, I'll go down and clean off the, sewage tap the top parts of the sewage because it leaves the stuff just sitting there where they just, you know, and that clogs up the, the line. And now the water can't get through it because it has been there and they just sat on it and infested in it for so long you're stuck. So until somebody going and sweep it out or pull it, pull those leaves out, that water is going to be sitting on top and then there's the part of the flood again. So when we have backups, that's what basically happens is that that catch from the company is not lifted so the water can flow. So yeah it's on that climate change is the mixture of it. Yeah.
KH: Yeah. It's the two coalescing together. Yeah. Excellent. Thank you. that's a great perspective to hear.
MS: Yeah.
KH: All right.
MS: All right.
KH: So we've been talking a lot about green infrastructure and you yourself said you have solar panels. If you could have one piece of green organization besides, like, you know, green infrastructure besides solar panels that your organization could offer, which one would you like... Like things like, wind turbines and things like that... are there any others you'd like to implement?
MS: What is a win?
KH: Or a wind turbines? Like a big windmill, like the those big white ones with the three blades?
MS: I'd, I'd rather go with the solar panels.
KH: With solar panels.
MS: With the windmill. I mean, I'm thinking about where I am, where I'm located. I think they will work far better in a more open area. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
KH: And I think with solar panels still, a lot of people still are wary of that sometimes. Like we believe that solar panels are very expensive and in many cases they are. But would you just let them know that the tree house provides it at a very good rate, right?
MS: Yeah, yeah. And two, the solar panels are expensive and and a lot of people now, I've heard good stories and bad stories. The bad stories were, where people where the solar company went out of business and the person just don't have no more solar and I'm like, I'm trying to think I said, well, if you're plugged into the system, you're plugged into TV. If you're paying your bill, your solar panels shouldn't go anywhere because they closed down. But a lot of the thing is, a lot of people rent their solar panels so the company can cut those off. If you don't pay your bill, you know, with solar panels, they can cut it off or, you know, something else could happen. But, I think that theThat's it.
KH: That's it.
MS: Yeah, but I think that solar panels. Like I said, if you don't, its a lot of horror stories. I haven't had anyone. Yeah. When I go out, I speak publicly and I speak. I tell them I said, this is not happened to me. And a lot of people that had solar panels. One lady comes to every meeting and says, I have my solar panels still don't work and we just looking at each other. So Tammy did tell her, she said, well, what you can do is we can what we can do is replace them, but we would have to replace them with our panels. We can't we can't let you keep the other companies panels because we don't know what you know. We know how to set up ours. We can't set up theirs. Yeah.
KH: Yeah. And so obviously tree houses helping provide it throughout a lot of residential areas. Would you love to see this or would you like to see the city just implement a lot of solar panels throughout the city in general?
MS: I sure would, because, it's it's a lifesaver for real and the you get like a 25 year warranty on the panels, so you're not paying to have them fixed. The companies coming out to fix them. So, you know, again, I tell people, be aware of who you're asking to put the panels on. If it's not a reputable company, I do. I do suggest Tammy, because I know Tammy has the heart and soul to do for the community. And I'm not saying it to be a commercial, but that's her and I've seen the horror stories from people who went through companies that have closed up and they don't they don't have solar panels, they still gotta pay that bill, right?
KH: You know. All right. Excellent. Is there any final thoughts that you'd like to say before we end?
MS: Enjoyed. I enjoy the tree house. I love the tree house. As a matter of fact, they partnered with my church. So now we're getting ready to do, she does with the community also. What is that? You can buy up stock in stock classes So it's helping you with your own financial.
KH: Oh. That's amazing.
MS: So she has a class for kids and a class for adults. And, we're getting ready to do one for adults in the community.
KH: Oh. That's incredible. When is that going to be starting?
MS: Once I get the event. Once I get the date and stuff. Because so many people, when I mention it, they say, when is it going to come?
KH: And, what is your, the name of your church that's helping partner with the tree house?
MS: Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church is on Seven Mile near Mount Elliot. All right. Yeah.
KH: All right. Well, thank you so much for your time today. I really appreciate it.
MS: Thank you. Okay. Bye bye. Bye bye.
KH: All right.
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Citation
“Marva Stewart, April 27th, 2024,” Detroit Historical Society Oral History Archive, accessed January 21, 2025, https://oralhistory.detroithistorical.org/items/show/1034.