About Us
The Westside Summer Fest is organized through NorthWest Initiative, its sponsors and a
group of dedicated partners and volunteers.
The event celebrates the diversity of northwest Lansing and also highlights the businesses
along the W. Saginaw/Oakland commercial corridor on Lansing's Westside.
What We Do
NorthWest Initiative is a non-profit community development organization working to create a
healthier and more vibrant community for residents of northwest Lansing.
Our Goal
The Westside Summer Fest is a free, family-friendly festival off Saginaw Street on Lansing’s
Westside, complete with live music, a health and wellness tent, children’s’ activities, a
farmers’ and artisans market, and much more. The event brings much needed resources
to the community in a fun and exciting way. Resources such as free HIV/Aids testing, Blood
Pressure checks, Lead screening, and assistance with signing up for MIChild and Ingham
County Health plans and various other needed resources are brought together to meet the
needs of our low to moderate income and vulnerable community members at no cost.
Additionally this event serves as a conduit to promote local businesses that have been in the
area for many years and encourage new businesses development in vacant boarded up
buildings along the Saginaw corridor. Funds raised support programming provided by the
NorthWest Initiative.
The Need
The NorthWest Initiative was created in 2000 to address health disparities in Northwest
Lansing. Some of the health problems disproportionately impacting the area include heart
disease, diabetes, and infant mortality. Community summits and surveys show the need for
access to health insurance and health care; fresh foods, safe housing; and safe, walk-able
streets and neighborhoods. Northwest Initiative serves a community in which over 85% of
the youth qualify for subsidized or reduced school breakfast and lunch programs. For
information about Northwest Initiative visit www.nwlansing.org
The Westside Summer Fest is organized through NorthWest Initiative, its sponsors and a
group of dedicated partners and volunteers.
The event celebrates the diversity of northwest Lansing and also highlights the businesses
along the W. Saginaw/Oakland commercial corridor on Lansing's Westside.
What We Do
NorthWest Initiative is a non-profit community development organization working to create a
healthier and more vibrant community for residents of northwest Lansing.
Our Goal
The Westside Summer Fest is a free, family-friendly festival off Saginaw Street on Lansing’s
Westside, complete with live music, a health and wellness tent, children’s’ activities, a
farmers’ and artisans market, and much more. The event brings much needed resources
to the community in a fun and exciting way. Resources such as free HIV/Aids testing, Blood
Pressure checks, Lead screening, and assistance with signing up for MIChild and Ingham
County Health plans and various other needed resources are brought together to meet the
needs of our low to moderate income and vulnerable community members at no cost.
Additionally this event serves as a conduit to promote local businesses that have been in the
area for many years and encourage new businesses development in vacant boarded up
buildings along the Saginaw corridor. Funds raised support programming provided by the
NorthWest Initiative.
The Need
The NorthWest Initiative was created in 2000 to address health disparities in Northwest
Lansing. Some of the health problems disproportionately impacting the area include heart
disease, diabetes, and infant mortality. Community summits and surveys show the need for
access to health insurance and health care; fresh foods, safe housing; and safe, walk-able
streets and neighborhoods. Northwest Initiative serves a community in which over 85% of
the youth qualify for subsidized or reduced school breakfast and lunch programs. For
information about Northwest Initiative visit www.nwlansing.org
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The event is part of the revitalization of the business districts along Saginaw Street between Stanley and Grand, on Lansing's Westside. |
