What a crazy, busy, blessed summer! We would like to take a few moments to share some of the great things happening in YOUR core city Muskegon neighborhoods.

Thanks to those of you who generously donated to our YEP program and to MI Works, we have been able to employ 25 YEPs within our summer projects, from CATCH Camp and the Farm to our housing rehabs and lawn care services. The YEPs have been able to earn a wage while also developing their leadership skills within the community. We could not do our work alongside our neighbors without the input and energy of the young leaders in the YEP program. Thank you for your donations and support!

Volunteer from Catholic Heart work Camp cleaning siding on 4th street.

This summer has seen the launch of a strong effort to rejuvenate 4th street. The #4thStreetFaceLift is an ongoing effort to revitalize our community, to bring neighbors together sharing tools, time and skills to help each other clean up yards, repaint houses and weed sidewalks. Some of you may have been following the progress of our #4thStreetRehab, a house we saved from demolition in the winter and have brought back to life through the help of volunteers from near and far. Both the #4thStreetFaceLift and the #4thstreetRehab have been made possible by you, our neighbors who have given of yourselves to help our neighborhood grow. We appreciate your donations and support.

Finally, we have a very exciting public art project on the go in partnership with King David’s Masonic Lodge on Mason Street, the YEP’s and West Michigan Artist Elloy Villarreal. Together they have collaborated on a two-story mural on the side of King David’s Lodge, portraying black leaders from the past and present, locally and nationally who have inspired today's young leaders within the YEP program. We are deliberately being coy on the details of this exciting project until its grand unveiling on August 5th. But if your curiosity gets the better of you why not take an afternoon to drive down 5th street and try and spot it, maybe you could even guess what it’s going to be!

Because of your continued support, YOU have created a summer full of learning and service for core city neighbors and youth. So why not come and celebrate with us and the YEPs!

Saturday, August 5th, from 4 to 7 PM, at King David Lodge, 260 Mason Ave.

Join us as we honor and celebrate all the youth that have successfully completed the 2017 Summer YEP Program, and unveil the new public art mural painted to highlight black leaders who have inspired our YEP's.

Questions? Call Charlotte Johnson at (231) 728-3117 or email hnp@communityencompass.org