GIBRALTAR — State Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown) and state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) celebrated the opening of a new Downriver Community Workspace inside Gibraltar City Hall yesterday, which will allow community residents to receive help with state issues face-to-face. The first state community space opened by state lawmakers Downriver in over a decade, Camilleri and Chang hope the new workspace will serve to make state government more accessible to Downriver residents.

“As a state representative, the best part of my job is being out in the community with the people I have the honor of representing,” said Camilleri. “I want to ensure that all Downriver residents have a reliable place they can go to get assistance and discuss the most important issues facing their families. Opening a community workspace has been something we’ve been working on for a long time, and we’re really excited by the opportunities it will provide.”

“On the campaign trail, we promised that we would be opening a Downriver community workspace. Today we are excited to be fulfilling that promise,” said Chang. “Getting help with Medicaid, unemployment issues, utility shut-offs – navigating bureaucracy is sometimes easiest to do in person – and that’s exactly why having a space for us to meet with our residents is so important. We look forward to building partnerships with Downriver nonprofits to provide excellent service to our residents.”

Over 30 Downriver residents attended the celebratory Open House for the new workspace, enjoying coffee, pie and other refreshments from local Downriver businesses. Representatives from Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency were present; the organization will be providing services at the workspace in the near future. With the workspace formally opened, staff will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during normal business hours. Residents with questions, or those looking for more information about the new workspace, are encouraged to reach out to Camilleri by phone at (517) 373-0555 or by email at DarrinCamilleri@house.mi.gov, or Chang by phone at (517) 373-7346 or by email at senschang@senate.mi.gov.

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