Livability Lab is about making positive changes in Muskegon County

What’s happening: The fourth cycle of the Muskegon County Health Innovation Region (CHIR) initiative, Livability Lab 4.0, is set to launch Sept. 26 at Barclay Place.  
 
Why it is important: Livability Lab is an innovative, community-driven initiative that invites residents, students, businesses, and non-profit organizations throughout Muskegon County to get involved in making positive changes. During the launch event, attendees will share thoughts and concerns about their communities. Then, teams will be formed to address these ideas, and the 100-day challenge begins. 
 
How they’re doing it: In preparation for this year’s Livability Lab, 572 surveys were gathered and eight focus groups were held. The results identified community goals and priorities for Muskegon County, as well as what barriers residents might face and what support systems currently exist.  
 
What they are saying: “Through the survey and focus groups, what we heard overwhelmingly from Muskegon County residents is that people want to improve their circumstances, not only for themselves and their families but also for others in their community. That is what inspired this year’s theme of Building Community Together,” said Samantha Cornell, director of the CHIR.
 
The details: 
Who: Anyone who lives or works in Muskegon County.
What:  Livability Lab 4.0 Launch: “Building Community Together.”
Where: Barclay Place, 2330 Barclay St., Muskegon.
When: Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Cost:  Free and open to the public. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
 
Registration is open, and spaces are limited. More information is at www.LivabilityLab.com. Follow on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/livabilitylab.
 
How it started: The first Livability Lab was held in 2019 with a 100-Day Challenge. Since then, 39 action teams have been created and more than 600 people have gathered to create positive change in such areas as child care, expungement, doula access, economic development, neighborhood development, medical debt, literacy and more.  

What’s the big picture: A Community Health Innovation Region is a model for improving the well-being of a region and reducing medical costs through collaboration and systems change. Muskegon’s CHIR is coordinated by Access Health, alongside a broad partnership of stakeholders charged with identifying and addressing factors that affect residents’ health, such as housing, transportation and food insecurity, as well as access to high-quality medical care.The result is a community that is purposeful in its response to residents’ needs, creating conditions that help individuals achieve a higher, more productive quality of life.