You’ve got to have a network that you trust above yourself. We always see ourselves less than what we are, and sometimes you have to trust the voices of those around you.

Another year in the rear-view mirror. A chance to reflect and consider: What did we do best in 2020, that year marked by so much change? What did we learn about ourselves, our community, our human fragility and our resilience? What will we take with us into 2021?

This last decade of work would not have been possible without Mary’s joy, generosity, and guidance. She lived with us in a state of possibility. She knew the value of core city Muskegon--her home--and that knowledge guided how she lived. To honor and celebrate Mary’s legacy, Community enCompass is establishing the Mary Jamieson Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Fund for families eligible to purchase an EACH house.

On December 8, 2020, Muskegon City Commissioners unanimously voted to approve Community enCompass’ E.A.C.H. Project (enCompass Affordable Community Housing), a pilot program that will offer new, affordable home ownership opportunities in our core city neighborhoods!

You are a part of our story! For our final publication of 2020, we reflect on “All That Connects Us” here in Core City Muskegon, and ask that you help us move into the New Year with confidence.

When a leak sprang from her kitchen window earlier this year, Rita Harris called 211 to find a handy person. That’s when she learned about the Senior Home Repair program--a program of Community enCompass, funded through the Muskegon County Senior Millage.

“The Phoenix,” born from the ashes, is the first new construction, multi-family development in the heart of the Nelson Neighborhood, and is designed to match the size, scale, and character of the surrounding houses and buildings in the neighborhood.

While the decision to cancel Taste and See 2020 was difficult, the loss has brought about unexpected gains. Adaptation sparks innovation, and new things are in the works here at Community enCompass as we focus on walking alongside neighbors in these ever-changing times.

Community enCompass Spring Newsletter, bringing you “Odes to Joy” — the melody of bold action and neighbors helping neighbors — from right here in Muskegon.

Snapshots from Community enCompass as programs adapt alongside neighbors whose daily life and livelihood has been impacted by the virus.

Jennifer Hollins recently bought a house. Jennifer hadn't been planning on buying a house, until one day her landlord knocked on her door with an offer. “I had never thought about buying this place,” Jennifer said. “My landlord just knocked on my door one day and said, ‘I’m selling this house. Would you be willing to sign a land contract to own the property?’, and here we are!” Jennifer couldn’t believe her luck, “It was a good opportunity and I took it.”

Except, we have started at the end. This story begins months earlier when Jennifer was facing eviction, from the very home she now owns.

Another year in the rear-view mirror. A chance to reflect and consider: What did we do best in 2019? What did we learn? What will we do in 2020?

“I just wanted to say that this was one of THE BEST fund-raiser and educational events that we have EVER attended! I didn’t even know that it existed!” Our annual “Taste & See” Event marks the transition between these two seasons, and as such, we want to take one last look back, to savor what was tasted and seen at this year's event.

Throughout the summer (through the generous contribution of many of you), the YEP’s have been employed as paid summer interns. Each YEP chose the project they wished to invest in, determining the skills they would learn, and how they would give back to their community. 

Kimi went in expecting to find some good wood, maybe some useful cabinets, possibly a piece or two of original trim, but what Kimi found blew her mind. “We have to save it!" Kimi said in awe as she wondered around this pristine example of a 1920’s craftsman's house. “It was stunning, to say the least.”

When our board and staff attempt to identify the reason why Community enCompass exists, we end up with phrases like “Neighborhood Transformation,” and “SHALOM in the City.” Lofty dreams for a rag-tag team of people who are often stumbling towards good. The year-end process of digging through data always makes me wonder..... how will we know once we’ve arrived? How will we know when our neighborhoods have been transformed and we taste SHALOM?

 “When we look at a house like this we see history, we see story, we see family, we see value and hope. We see good bones.”  A house like this makes no sense to any real estate investor.  It’s not a house you can flip for profit. The current real estate values in Muskegon's core city neighborhoods don’t make a house like this profitable in any way. It took close to $60,000 in materials and necessary contracted work to bring this house back to life, and that's not accounting for the countless hours of volunteer work that have been put in.

15% of Muskegon County residents have a certified disability, 25% higher than the national average. 41% of Muskegon county residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty level,  22%* higher than national average. These numbers alone are sobering, so this month we are taking the opportunity to educate ourselves about the links between poverty and health, health and poverty.

The cost of healthcare can cripple a family.  Even when wise health decisions are made, exercise is frequent and diet is healthy, the “unforeseen” can blow a hole into anyone's reality. 

Redlining is the historical practice of denying services to residents of certain areas based on the racial or ethnic composition of those areas. Redlining in Muskegon resulted in some neighborhoods being underdeveloped, buildings being abandoned, businesses failing, increasing social problems and the removal of any incentives to invest.

Phew: What a summer!  So much work has been done.  One of the highlights this summer has been our “4th Street Facelift” Project.  Community enCompass was 1 of 10 organizations across the state to be awarded a $50,000 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) for neighborhood enhancement projects. Competition was hot with 36 projects across the state applying, and the grant was a catalyst for neighborhood organizing in a powerful way.