News
Community enCompass is seeking a Muskegon-based teaching artist to join high school youth (YEPs) in conversations about public art and activism. Through these conversations, YEPs will assist the teaching artist in conceptualizing a large-scale mural for the front (52ft x 9ft) and left side (13ft x 9ft) of the Sacred Suds Community Center, located at 289 E. Larch.
This summer, we are dedicated to making sure that the YEPs’ “new normal” includes internships that follow social distance and safety guidelines while providing financial support and a rewarding career experience. YEPs will work 20 hours/week for 8 weeks, and each will receive $1500 in wages. Join Community enCompass in investing in these young leaders of Muskegon by sponsoring a summer internship!
The COVID-19 crisis has had an unjust impact on our neighbors in core-city Muskegon, especially for neighbors who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained , and Employed).
Increased wage loss, food insecurity, and unemployment are on the rise. Many neighbors have seen their work hours reduced. Some are on a fixed income that doesn't leave room for the unexpected nature of sudden school closings or rising grocery costs. For many even a short stretch of unemployment will put them too far behind in rent to catch up.
Below are some ways Community enCompass will walk alongside our neighbors whose lives have been upended by this crisis. We need YOUR help to support our neighbors during this difficult time!
Dear Neighbors,
In these uncertain times, Community enCompass’ priority is to continue to be neighbor. While “being neighbor” will look different over the coming weeks and months, you can be assured that we are fully operational and working together (while practicing social distancing!) to come up with creative solutions for how to continue to engage our community.
To raise funds, YEPs have hosted a Soul Food Fundraiser, will be collecting cans and bottles (every 10 cents counts!) throughout Feb and March, and are brainstorming other fundraising opportunities. But we also need support from neighbors like you! Would you sponsor a YEP to go on this life-changing spring break tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities?
“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.
A few decades earlier the southeast corner of Terrace and Isabella had 7 homes on it, rentals and family houses, but years of neglect, white flight, and disinvestment left the homes empty abandoned and decaying. Then one day the city decided to take them all down, and there was nothing. Grass and weeds started to grow up, the trees began to fall down, and Tom was left wondering “What if?! What if we took over the lot?” Tom would often mow the lawn and pick up trash and do whatever he could to keep it as tidy as possible, but on his own couldn't get much done.
Internships are hugely important in any students’ life. They set the foundation for future careers, enhancing soft skills such as time management and professional rapport, as well as work ethic. Internships help to build confidence and experience while learning new trades and skills, and Colleges place huge importance on internships when reviewing applications, giving YEP’s an extra push in a competitive market.
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?
Dozens of neighborhood teenagers spent their summers doing internships through the Youth Empowerment Project. The PAID internships created an opportunity of high school students to gain experience in the fields of youth work, agriculture, construction, and gardening, building interpersonal skills and developing their resumes
