Livability Lab 3.0
Hope. Empower. Act.
Celebrating Our Success
On February 7, 2023, more than 160 people attended the Livability Lab 100-Day Challenge Celebration to learn about and show appreciation for the work of 15 Community Action Teams.
These teams, made up of volunteers who attended the Livability Lab 3.0 kickoff in October 2022, had been challenged to make a positive impact on community-identified issues in the Muskegon area in just 100 days.
Livability means the sum of things that add up to quality of life
Action Teams focused their efforts on 5 Livability Elements, identified as priorities by the community
Economic Opportunity
LIVABILITY GOAL: Residents are prosperous and financially stable
Health
LIVABILITY GOAL: Residents are experiencing holistic health and wellbeing
Safety & Security
LIVABILITY GOAL: Residents feel safe & secure at all times
Education
LIVABILITY GOAL: Residents have the knowledge and skills to thrive
Social Connection & Trust
LIVABILITY GOAL: Residents have relationships that demonstrate a sense of belonging, loyalty, trust & responsibility
Community Action Teams
GOAL: To create a business ambassador program to help entrepreneurs of color connect with area resources
GOAL:
To better understand the level of medical debt of residents in Muskegon County: the causes, how it can be avoided, and what resources are available and needed
GOAL:
To implement the Parent Village concept in Muskegon to provide additional support for parents in our community
GOAL:
To design a strategy that engages Muskegon Heights residents in local government using the Citizen’s Academy training model that offers a place for residents to gather and learn about decision-making
GOAL:
To build upon current readiness supports at Muskegon Heights Public School Academy (MHPSA) and to link school to existing career readiness programs in the community
GOAL:
To recruit volunteers and workers for schools, childcare centers, and direct support positions
GOAL:
To address isolation, strengthen social connections, and to encourage people to get out into their community, meet their neighbors, and discover what Muskegon has to offer
GOAL:
To urge local representatives to support legislation allowing Michigan residents to obtain a driver’s license without proof of citizenship; to recruit allies and raise awareness about the importance of Drivers’ Licenses for All
GOAL:
To bring students together for Livability Lab-type event where they can identify problems in their schools and / or communities and then develop action plans to address them
GOAL:
To create a one-stop-shop resource for our community that simplified the process for those seeking rental housing
GOAL:
To convene two Coming Together for Racial Understanding (CTRU) training sessions made up of diverse groups from the larger Livability Lab participant group
GOAL:
To build a network of Climate Change ambassadors and to launch our strategy in the community
GOAL:
To design a plan to create educational & ecological learning greenspaces; connect with residents, local groups and government entities; form a coalition of stakeholders dedicated to this goal
GOAL:
To reduce health disparities by improving birth outcomes in populations of color through coordinated doula access and culturally competent care
GOAL:
To design an event to engage minorities in our community to have a voice alongside decision-makers
