Communities First

This spring, one of our partners in West Michigan decided to merge with another community nonprofit.  Sacred Suds, and Bethany Housing Ministries, both operating within the McLaughlin neighborhood of Muskegon, Michigan, had been working together for many years.  The likely community benefit beyond those efficiencies associated with combined operations seems substantial: a stronger McLaughlin neighborhood resulting from a highly intentional strategy of engaging neighborhood partners in both the process of forming the new entity, and inviting their participation as board members in the new body.  

Part of the process of engaging the McLaughlin neighborhood in the process of forming the new body, was a Saturday morning gathering of some 40 neighborhood stakeholders to discuss neighborhood issues and give input on the organizational merger.  Alongside residents from the neighborhood, there were representatives from the neighborhood association, the local elementary school, the police department, the county health department, several local churches, and the two merging nonprofits.  The gathered group was quite varied, reflecting both the racial and religious diversity of the neighborhood.  Volunteers In Service (CRWRC / NAMT West Michigan partner) had the opportunity and pleasure of facilitating the community input meeting.

Following the community input meeting, the new organization adopted the new name, mission statement, and board reflecting its continuing commitment to strengthening the fabric of the McLaughlin neighborhood.

As a result of their inviting the community into their formation process, the new organization has broadened its neighborhood mission, and board representation.  As such, the new organization (Community enCompass) is now poised to seek the good of the neighborhood on a much higher level of connectedness, and involvement of community organizational partners and residents.