My journey reflects something that has been at the heart of Ideal for more than three decades: a commitment to investing in people and strengthening our Southwest Detroit community. That commitment dates back to when Ideal Founder & Chairman Frank Venegas moved the company to Southwest Detroit, the same neighborhood where his family had built their roots generations earlier. Since then, community involvement has never been viewed as something separate from the business but as an integral part of who we are.
Over the years, our team has worked alongside community organizations, schools, nonprofits, and residents to help create opportunities where they are needed most. That work has taken many forms, from supporting educational initiatives and workforce development programs to revitalizing green spaces, mentoring future professionals, and helping connect individuals with resources that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.
We have been fortunate to build lasting relationships with partners such as Detroit Cristo Rey High School, Holy Redeemer Grade School, Clark Park, Cadillac Urban Gardens, Detroit Future Ops, Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, CHASS, La Sed, the Detroit Police Department’s Fourth Precinct, and the Southwest Detroit Business Association. While every partnership serves a different purpose, they all share a common goal: creating a stronger, more vibrant Southwest Detroit.
For Frank, the philosophy has always been simple: “Take care of the community, and the community will take care of you.” That’s the mindset that continues to guide our efforts today.
More Than Volunteerism
When people hear the phrase “community engagement,” they may often think about volunteer events or charitable giving. While those activities are certainly important, meaningful engagement runs much deeper for me.
To me, community engagement is about using the relationships, resources, and capabilities we have as an organization to create connections that can positively impact someone’s future. It means helping students discover career possibilities. It means introducing people to mentors who can guide them. And it means creating pathways that connect education, opportunity, and long-term success.
What makes those efforts successful is the genuine commitment of our employees. Whether we are supporting a school event, revitalizing a community space, mentoring students, or participating in a neighborhood initiative, our people consistently step forward because they care. Community involvement is not viewed at Ideal as an obligation but as an extension of the values our employees bring to work every day.
That commitment starts with family leadership, but it is embraced throughout the organization. Our people understand that investing in our communities creates a positive impact that extends far beyond a single project or event.
The Soul of Who We Are
If Ideal were not involved in the community, something important would be missing. Quite simply, it would be the soul of who we are.
Southwest Detroit is one of the most vibrant communities in our region. For decades, many of our employees have lived here, worked here, raised families here, and built relationships here. Because of that connection, caring for the community has always felt natural.
We’ve had the privilege of watching neighborhoods evolve, seeing vacant lots transformed into gardens, classrooms renovated for future generations of students, and young people develop into professionals, leaders, and contributors to Southwest Detroit. In many ways, those moments tell the story of our impact better than any statistic ever could.
There is something incredibly meaningful about seeing a student intern with Ideal, graduate from college, and return as a full-time employee. It serves as a reminder that positive change often happens one person at a time, one opportunity at a time.
Looking Toward the Future
As we look ahead, our vision for community engagement remains rooted in the same values that have guided us for more than thirty years.
Success has never been and will not be measured by the number of programs we support or events we participate in. Instead, it will be through creating sustainable opportunities that continue to benefit people long after our involvement began.
That may mean helping a student discover a career path, supporting a neighborhood organization, creating a cleaner and safer environment, or transforming a vacant space into something that serves the community. Real change rarely happens all at once. It happens little by little, day by day, through consistent efforts and the growth of meaningful partnerships.
Looking ten years into the future, our hope is that the impact we’ve helped create in Southwest Detroit can continue to grow and inspire similar efforts elsewhere. But regardless of where that journey leads, our foundation will remain the same.
Community engagement is not program at Ideal. It is an integral part of our identity.
And just as it created opportunities that helped shape my own path, we remain committed to helping create opportunities for future generations to come.
Osmara Ramirez-Zarate is the Community Engagement & Outreach Manager for Ideal Group. In her role, Osmara works to strengthen connections with the Southwest Detroit community she proudly calls home through impactful partnerships and outreach initiatives. Having been part of the Ideal family since she was fourteen years old, she has become a steadfast advocate for expanding community engagement efforts and fostering meaningful collaboration between Ideal’s team members and the neighborhoods they serve. Through her leadership, Osmara helps advance opportunities that create lasting positive impact throughout Southwest Detroit.
Osmara Ramirez-Zarate
Community Engagement & Outreach Manager
