by Rev. Richard Dalton
For many years, I have watched the internet become more crowded, more political, more commercial, and often less trustworthy. Many people feel overwhelmed by social media, angry headlines, advertising, AI-generated content, and information overload. Even finding reliable local information has become difficult.
At the same time, Metro Detroit is filled with churches, nonprofits, libraries, museums, schools, volunteer groups, and local businesses doing wonderful work every day. Too often, their stories and resources remain hidden.
That is why I created LookUpDetroit.com.
A Vision Bigger Than One Person
My vision is to build a trusted, family-friendly, ad-free Digital Public Square for Metro Detroit—a place where people can discover positive local news, events, organizations, history, arts, volunteer opportunities, and community resources.
The vision has never been about one person.
Although hundreds of pages and thousands of local resources have already been added, this is still largely a one-man effort.
I’m not an IT professional, businessman, or advertising executive. I’m a 75-year-old Anglican pastor who loves Metro Detroit. After many years of ministry and a liver transplant that has naturally limited my energy, I simply want to leave something that strengthens our community.
This project doesn’t primarily need more ideas—it needs gifted people.
Writers, photographers, WordPress developers, designers, historians, community leaders, churches, nonprofits, educators, and volunteers could help transform this into something far greater than I could ever build alone.
Why Trust Matters
Today’s internet is increasingly driven by outrage, clickbait, advertising, algorithms, anonymous content, and AI. Many people no longer know what sources they can trust.
I believe people are looking for something different—information that is local, positive, carefully curated, and genuinely trustworthy.
That is where LookUpDetroit.com hopes to make a difference.
What Makes LookUpDetroit.com Different
The site is intentionally non-political, family-friendly, and ad-free. It highlights the people and organizations that make Metro Detroit a better place to live.
Rather than building around one personality, my hope is that trusted organizations throughout the region will eventually help create a shared online public square where credibility comes from many respected voices working together.
Built for Today’s Internet
Most people now discover information on their phones.
Every article on LookUpDetroit.com has its own headline, image, and web address, making it easy to share by text, email, church groups, neighborhood networks, or social media. A trusted recommendation from one person to another is still one of the most powerful forms of communication.
Looking Ahead
I believe the internet desperately needs more human, local, trustworthy places.
My prayer is that LookUpDetroit.com will become one of them.
The foundation has been laid, but the vision is much larger than my own abilities. With the right partners, this could become a lasting digital resource that helps connect, inform, and strengthen Metro Detroit for years to come.
That has always been the vision.
If this vision resonates with you and you’d like to help—whether through writing, technology, design, photography, research, or community partnerships—I would love to hear from you. Great communities are built together.
‘Help me if You Can” John, Paul, George, Ringo and Richard
Rev. Richard Dalton cell 313-408-1521 fatherdalton@gmail.com
