Opportunities From: United Way for Southeastern Michigan

Brilliant Cities is a neighborhood-powered model ensuring children 0-8 are school-ready, healthy, and supported. We do this by transforming houses into family-focused, community hubs and partner with organizations to coordinate research-based programs for children and families. These programs focus on education, health, and family support, giving young children and families what they need for a bright future.

Our Brilliant Pontiac hub hosts a monthly community dinner that brings neighbors together in a welcoming space to connect over a shared meal, meaningful conversation, and a strong sense of belonging. These gatherings are designed to foster connection and strengthen community ties in a warm, inclusive environment.

We're currently looking for volunteers to support this event by helping set up the dining area, warmly welcoming community members into our Brilliant Pontiac hub, plating and serving food, leading fun and engaging child enrichment activities, and assisting with cleanup by returning event materials to their original spaces. If you enjoy food, serving others, and supporting your community, we would love to have you join us for our January Community Dinner!

*Volunteers must hold a valid ServSafe certification to be eligible for food preparation and serving duties

Brilliant Cities is a neighborhood-powered model ensuring children 0-8 are school-ready, healthy, and supported. We do this by transforming houses into family-focused, community hubs and partner with organizations to coordinate research-based programs for children and families. These programs focus on education, health, and family support, giving young children and families what they need for a bright future.

Upcoming dates: 

Our Brilliant Central hub hosts a monthly community dinner that brings neighbors together in a welcoming space to connect over a shared meal, meaningful conversation, and a strong sense of belonging. These gatherings are designed to foster connection and strengthen community ties in a warm, inclusive environment.

We're currently looking for volunteers to support our upcoming February and March events by helping set up the dining area, warmly welcoming community members into our Brilliant Central hub, plating and serving food, leading fun and engaging child enrichment activities, and assisting with cleanup by returning event materials to their original spaces. If you enjoy food, serving others, and supporting your community, we would love to have you join us for our January Community Dinner!

Brilliant Cities is a neighborhood-powered model ensuring children 0-8 are school-ready, healthy, and supported. We do this by transforming houses into family-focused, community hubs and partner with organizations to coordinate research-based programs for children and families. These programs focus on education, health, and family support, giving young children and families what they need for a bright future.

Join us for one of the most exciting months of the year: March is Reading Month! Our Central hub is celebrating with a Cat in the Hat-themed literacy event in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Brilliant participants will enjoy themed activities, tasty snacks, and a special Dr. Seuss story time.

Volunteers will help make the event memorable by supporting story time, crafts, and hands-on activities that inspire a love of reading and learning.

Volunteer shifts available: 3:30-5:30 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Brilliant Cities is a neighborhood-powered model ensuring children 0-8 are school-ready, healthy, and supported. We do this by transforming houses into family-focused, community hubs and partner with organizations to coordinate research-based programs for children and families. These programs focus on education, health, and family support, giving young children and families what they need for a bright future.

This winter, our Central hub will be hosting an open house for new and returning Brilliant families to learn about our 2026 programs, explore site updates, and connect with our hub staff. Volunteers will support the event by greeting guests, helping give tours, directing families to activities throughout the hub, and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that builds excitement for our upcoming programming opportunities.

If you enjoy engaging with new people and share our Brilliant team’s passion for literacy, join us for a memorable open house to kick off the year!

Volunteer shifts available: 2:30-5 p.m. or 4-6:30 p.m.