Melvie Berkery (center) gave an impassioned thank you speech during last Thursday’s news conference, with co-owners Monica Wimbush (left) and Dr. Cynane Robinson (right) at her side.
Photo courtesy of City of Detroit
Motor City Match, an economic development program dedicated to revitalizing Detroit’s small business community, celebrated a milestone ribbon cutting last Thursday with the opening of assisted living facility, Dream Estates, marking the 150th open business by the program. Owners Melvie Berkery, Dr. Cynane Robinson and Monica Wimbush were joined by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, city officials and dozens of supporters as they cut the ribbon on their 4,750-square-foot facility.
Dream Estates was born from the personal experiences of Berkery and Wimbush, who encountered the absence of assisted living facilities in Detroit when seeking care for their relative, who was later placed in a facility outside of the city. Dr. Robinson, the caregiver who attended to their loved one, became a valued partner in their venture. Together, the women embarked on a journey to establish Dream Estates—an exceptional assisted living facility dedicated to redefining the standards of care with unwavering commitment and compassion.
“We just want to ensure that long-time residents of the City of Detroit can age in the community they love and that’s really what our mission is all about,” said Berkery.
The facility takes pride in delivering exceptional care to its patients. This encompasses a comprehensive range of services, such as physician care, physical therapy, occupational therapy and an array of recreational activities and entertainment options, including yoga, exciting field trips and much more.
Additionally, Dream Estates provides a tailored care program that caters to each resident’s unique needs. In addition to its impressive collection of amenities, which includes a outdoor gathering space, an onsite pharmacy and a convenient “corner store” catering to basic needs, each patient room is designed with its own unique theme. This emphasis on the individual, according to Wimbush, sets it apart from other assisted living facilities where all patients follow a uniform schedule.
“The quality of care really separates us from other assisted living facilities—the way we take care of our families and allow them to be themselves,” said Wimbush, adding that the facility can house up to 20 residents. “We don’t change them to adapt to our program; we adapt to theirs.”
Motor City Match, launched in 2015, has been instrumental in empowering local entrepreneurs, providing them with resources, support and financial assistance to bring their business dreams to life. Motor City Match has effectively ignited the expansion of small businesses in the city, generating employment opportunities for residents and fostering an environment of growth. Dream Estates, a testament to this success, proudly boasts a staff that is 60 percent comprised of Detroit residents.
Located at 16000 Pembroke Ave., the establishment received a $75,000 grant from Motor City Match. Funding was used to revitalize the building’s infrastructure, resulting in an inviting and harmonious environment that warmly embraces its residents.
“The dedication of Dream Estates sets a new standard in assisted living by prioritizing the unique needs of each individual,” said Sean Gray, vice president of Small Business Services at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, which manages the Motor City Match program. “We applaud the efforts of Melvie, Monica and Dr. Robinson for their unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our residents.”
Motor City Match is a partnership between the City of Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Competitive financial assistance is supported by a broad partnership of Southeast Michigan community development financial institutions and corporations including, Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, Ford Foundation, Hudson Webber Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, New Economy Initiative, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Motor City Match applications are available quarterly.
Through 22 rounds of Motor City Match accomplished:
• Total cash grants: $12.9 million (Total leveraged investment: $68 million)
• Total business open: 150
• 81 percent are minority-owned businesses
• 70 percent are women-owned businesses
• 66 percent are businesses owned by Detroit residents
Additional information is available at www.MotorCityMatch.com.
