Snapshots from Community enCompass as programs adapt alongside neighbors whose daily life and livelihood has been impacted by the virus.
Join Community enCompass in Being Neighbor
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!
From eviction to ownership
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.
COVID-19 Update
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.
March at McGrows
2019: Community enCompass by the numbers
YEP's to tour HBCU's
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?
#MONROESMARTHOME FOR SALE
The #MonroeSmartHome at 1245 5th street is officially launched into the real estate market. This brand-new three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms home in core-city Muskegon is the first of its kind. With energy-efficient furnace and air, loads of natural light, a full basement ready to be utilized, and brand new whirlpool kitchen appliances. The Monroe Smart Home would make a great home for any local neighbor family to grow in, for the low price of $175’000.00
Homeless in Muskegon
Hear the word “homeless” and what images come to mind? An older man, dressed in rags, possibly smelling of alcohol, holding a cardboard sign that asks for money, old blankets beneath him? While this image portrays a visible element of homeless in our country, many of us know that homelessness looks quite different.
FIGHTING EVICTION
In Muskegon County, the rate of eviction is 4 times higher than the national average! In response, community leaders have come together to address this community issue, creating the Eviction Prevention Program (EPP). Started as a pilot project a year ago and supported by funding from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, EPP gives families facing eviction the possibility of an “out”, the hope for stable housing
THE REAL-LIFE MEANING OF "FARM TO TABLE"
WHAT DID WE TASTE, WHAT DID WE SEE?
“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.
YEP'S Invest in Community!
We moved a house!
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.”
There is No “Them”: There’s Only “Us”
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.
SPONSOR A YEP!
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.
