Dollars Invested

Welcome to the “Dollars Invested” page, a testament to the Muskegon Health Equity Council’s dedicated pursuit of health and equity for all in the Lake shore area of Muskegon, MI. We actively seek out events, organizations, and individuals who share our mission, channeling financial support to amplify their impactful work. Through strategic investments, we’ve injected over $250,000 into initiatives that directly benefit our community. This page serves as a celebration of these contributions and a showcase of the remarkable difference they’ve made. Each entry represents a partnership forged in the pursuit of a healthier, more equitable Muskegon.

As our commitment continues, so too will our search for new opportunities to fund and uplift initiatives that align with our vision. We believe in the power of collective action and financial support to create meaningful change. In this section, we proudly highlight one of the remarkable events we’ve had the privilege to support. Moreover, in the spirit of transparency, we provide a detailed breakdown of the financial contributions we’ve made. The financial breakdown below serves as a testament to our unwavering dedication to the well-being of the Lake shore community and our commitment to making a positive, lasting impact. Together, we’re forging a path towards a stronger, more resilient community.

Challenges
Our festival is held in the City of Muskegon Heights, and many outside residents do not want to attend because they don’t think it’s a safe area.

Outcomes

• More than 10,000 African Americans attended
• We offered free health screenings, activities for youth, food giveaway, senior
  citizen activities and entertainment.

Challenges
The most significant challenge was communication between the organizations overseeing the grant as they have lower administrative capacity and need to be
resourceful in time spent managing the process.

Outcomes

• Expanded garden coordinator team and hired and trained two local residents.
• Implemented lessons in school gardens across three seasons.
• Repaired and replaced garden supplies and materials.
• Served 558 students, gardens produced approximately 160 lbs of produce.
• Students made healthy snacks, distributed produce to teachers and community, and took some home.

Challenges
Some of the costs were higher than expected, including cleaning materials, transportation, and labor to put together some materials

Outcomes
Provided fall lawn clean-up services to 30 people and winter maintenance/snow removal for 12 people.

Future Goals
We were unable to purchase any items for winter at all and very little fall equipment. Next year, our goal is to recruit more youth, volunteers, and more equipment.

Challenges
Significant barriers included transportation and the need to rent a charter bus, and the inability to be social was overcome during this travel experience

Outcomes
The program impacted 20 youth and advisors. They were encouraged to get COVID shots, reflected on lives lost during the pandemic, and addressed their trauma and grief through writing and expression.

Future Goals
To continue to advocate for increased self-care for B.I.P.O.C population youth and to continue to address trauma and grief through writing and expression.

Challenges
The lack of oversight with our city officials, workers, and affiliates means that the neglect of the city falls on the residents physically, emotionally, and financially. We still have a long way to go in our community. Taking action together and supporting the good will cause change.

Outcomes
Parks and areas are looking better and feel a little safer, communication is escalating with relationships being built, facilities are accessible, people are more informed to the tune of a couple thousand in a predominantly black community of about ten thousand.

Challenges
Getting official 501C3 status, understanding the legality when creating a nonprofit.

Outcomes

• We hosted the Filipino Culture Event in December 2023 at the Muskegon Township Branch of Muskegon Area District Library, with 90 guests in attendance – almost twice the number pf people we anticipated.
• We distributed 50 COVID-19 antigen tests.

Future Goals
We hope this event gains attention so that we can find additional partners to host another, larger event in Muskegon County, similar to the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific festival (but on a smaller scale).

231 Community Day

Challenges
The lack of social gatherings and COVID-19 increased the prevalence of violence, depression, PTSD, drug addiction, and anxiety. Muskegon Heights experiences significant health disparities, many of which were exacerbated by COVID-19.

Outcomes
Many people attended this August event that included catered food, a host, open mic, a football scrimmage and live music. In addition to a health booth with free condoms available, the event offered businesses networking opportunities.

Future Goals
We hope Day 231 will become an annual event within our community that promotes positivity, business opportunities, networking, and fun that will be worthwhile for our community.

How YOU Birth Doula Initiative

Challenges
There were no significant barriers.

Outcomes

• We added 17 post-partum trained doulas to the community.
• Worked with birthing people of color to provide post-pregnancy care
  including: breastfeeding, mother classes, and regular maternal care.
• Addressed a critical 0-3 age range for babies of color in Muskegon County.
  

Future Goals
Send a representative to West Michigan Perinatal Quality Collaborative meetings, gather additional stakeholders, expand staff hours, promote services and provide education in the community.

Thredz

Challenges
Time was a barrier. Grant process sometimes took too long which caused a rush on our end. Too many middle men and red tape caused a lot of confusion and we did not feel like we had a transparent view of what was going on as we were not included on email threads or subsequent communication.

Outcomes

• Collaborated with consultants to enhance resources and strategy.
• Built a technology & data warehouse for secure community data storage.
• Expanded the organizational base for mission-specific outcomes.
• Diversified delivery methods to include Latina community members.
• Developed strategies to increase the funding base.
• Ensured accountancy records met IRS reporting standards.

Future Goals
To build on our work and increase our community impact.

Black Wall Street Muskegon

Challenges
This year the barriers we faced were due to marketing costs, logistics and spacing. We utilize alternative marketing strategies to sufficiently spread the
word regarding the expo.

Outcomes
We served a diverse group of more than 950 consumers and business owners, predominantly black and brown.

Services of Hope / Servicios de Esperanza LLC

Challenges
It is difficult work to address the root causes of criminal behavior, such as addiction or mental health issues, to help break the cycle of recidivism. To In partnership with Muskegon County Justice System, we were able to present the program to the staff and judges of our local district, circuit and family courts.

Outcomes

• We received referrals from the courts for the recidivism program
• We have received positive feedback and gratitude from recidivism program
  participants
• We expanded from one group to two and have had 20+ graduates. Each
  group is held for 12 weeks and our groups have 15 to 20 participants each
  week.

Future Goals
To find a building to house our new non-profit and apply for grant funding; and to continue to expand the recidivism program.

Pathfinders and Hackley Community Care

Challenges
Not knowing how to find resources to meet the specific needs of the families, or how to provide the financing or knowledge to help parents engage with their own families.

Outcomes

• 150+ families gained awareness in topics like de-escalation, learning loss, and self-care
• Parents received resources, gas cards, meals; facilitators got a $100 gift card
• We gained attention from Muskegon Schools and Timberland Academy

Future Goals
To find a building to house our new nonprofit and apply for grant funding.

READ Muskegon

Challenges
The most significant change and challenge was a cultural shift in the functioning of the leadership. Instead of relying professionals or organizations, we prioritized leadership that represent the voices of those with lived experience.

Outcomes
The grant was used for our Family Empowerment Program, the expansion of Parent Villages, community leadership in the Read Muskegon Literacy Collaborative, and participation in Activate! National Early Childhood Network. We used funds to compensate community members for their time and expertise to these initiatives and to remove barriers to their participation including transportation reimbursements and providing child care.

Livability Lab:Rap w/YA Rep

Challenges
We did not have enough time for the community to address all of their concerns. Community members addressed concerns of: polarization, feeling like our voice is not important, lack of trust in government & leadership, lack of support, cross- sector partnerships, gentrification, and affordable housing. The goal is to evolve with the community as our heartbeat; ensuring that under-served voices have equal access, inclusion, and impact at every phase where decisions are made!

Outcomes
We launched a call to action: a multi-jurisdictional Muskegon community-driven task force for strategic planning of comprehensive housing production and economic development plans.

Future Goals
To use results from the task force to drive citizen-led council to initiate measures that will increase home ownership, entrepreneurship and impactful strategic community engagement for BIL majority community development, sustainability and revitalization.

S.T.A.N.D. Strengthening The African American Nation Daily

Challenges
Getting the word out was a significant barrier as we weren’t sure if the places we advertised were reaching people.

Outcomes
Our under-served and socially disadvantaged population became more familiar with life skills such as healthy exercising, pet care, rock gardening & music. Each compilation served at least 25 persons ranging from age 3 to 70.

Muskegon Young Black Professionals

Challenges
Recognizing the need to sustain our organization, we’ve realized that offering every event for free is not feasible. We are actively seeking opportunities to engage the community while also contributing to our financial stability. Some bureaucratic processes regarding the grant itself proved challenging.

Outcomes

• Provided mental health and self-care resources to 50 individuals
• Organized a writing workshop for 20 community members, enhancing their
  writing skills.
• Held a community day event with over 100 attendees, promoting physical
  health and social connections.
• Facilitated networking opportunities for over 50 black professionals.
• Used a marketing consultant to improve promotional materials & website.

Future Goals
To find a building to house our new nonprofit and apply for grant funding.