The board of Community enCompass is excited as we move into 2022 with strength. We want to thank you so much for your continued support and encouragement over the last six months as we have navigated a leadership transition, the pandemic’s disruption and the life stress it has brought to our neighbors. We are thankful for each of you and the vital part you play in our Muskegon community and in building Shalom in our neighborhoods.

Despite these challenging times, the Community enCompass staff has and continues to work each day all day in service to our neighbors and their extraordinary assets. We have learned as an organization that a transition offers us the ability to assess and to build on organizational gifts as well as opportunities.

As the board, we have decided to celebrate and build on our work strategically and intentionally during these complex times. To help support us in navigating this period, we have hired Mary McDonald to serve as an Organizational Consultant with Executive Director authority. Mary is well-known to many in the nonprofit community, and we are excited to work with her! The board is confident she will help us continue the important work we are doing and provide us with valuable assessment and recommendations for the next stage of Community enCompass’ life and work.

As you know, Kimi George has been serving as interim Executive Director since April, stepping in where not many could have, and we are grateful. She has not only kept Community enCompass a solid neighborhood partner, but she has also helped her colleagues, our donors and all of us stay focused on asset-based community development. As Mary comes on board, Kimi will step into a new role as Director of Community Development and Housing Initiatives. We believe that she will continue to lead us well in this vital area of work and are grateful for her expertise.

As we close this letter, we want to remind you of the work that Community enCompass continues to do to support building with our neighbors an asset-based community. Consider that as of September 30, our staff has processed 1,616 applications for housing assistance while our case managers support an average of 41 cases each helping those who are homeless and helping prevent homelessness for many of our neighbors.

Our Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) completed a successful summer work experience and continues to provide leadership development opportunities for our youth. McLaughlin Grows harvested a record-breaking quantity of vegetables and is providing them to neighbors through the farmer market and our CSA programs. Through our
Bethany Housing Ministry, we continue rehabbing
homes in the neighborhood.

We are confident with prayer and deep hope that this step will strategically position Community enCompass. We remain deeply committed to our vision and mission “to empower neighbors and build community in the core city neighborhoods of Muskegon.” We are grateful for the continued support and encouragement you have given, along with the investment you have made in this work. Thank you for continuing this journey with us.

Shalom,

Heidi Sytsema

Jameson Goorman

Alexis Dye

John Parker

Barb Klingenmaier

Charles Fritz

Tara Foreman

Bill Uetricht

Stephanie Marion

Bob Garretson

Arthur Duren