Allen Place News

Supporting the community at

Allen Neighborhood Center

Published: Aug. 10, 2022

Our Love Lansing Like a Local feature this week is Farmers Markets. The Allen Neighborhood market is just one of dozens of attractions in the Capital region that are ready to welcome you this summer.

Watch both interviews of Joan Nelson, Joe Enerson, and Zack Whaley by clicking here

Joseph Enerson selected as Executive Director

of Allen Neighborhood Center

Lansing Eastside non-profit selects Joe Enerson to lead the organization in its next phase of growth and innovation

The Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC) Board of Directors has selected Joseph Enerson as its next Executive Director. A six-month-long process led to the selection of Mr. Enerson to lead the organization following the retirement of founding director Joan Nelson.

Mr. Enerson has served as the Business and Financial Manager of ANC over the past four years, during which time the organization completed the $11MM creation of Allen Place, a mixed-use, mixed-income development featuring commercial and integrative services with a health and food-related focus. In addition to a 21-unit apartment building, the Allen Community Health Clinic and ELFCO (Eastside Lansing Food Co-op) will be opening in the complex this summer.

"I'm excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead this dynamic organization as we integrate and strengthen the many components of ANC," noted Mr. Enerson.

Board President Jon Lum added, "Joe has been a key member of the leadership team that oversaw the creation of Allen Place and is trusted by ANC stakeholders, including staff, board, neighbors, partners, and funders."

Departing Executive Director Joan Nelson commented, "I have worked closely with Joe for over 4 years and am thrilled with his selection--he has precisely the values, temperament and skills necessary to lead this lively organization."

ANC will be filling Joe’s current position while he transitions to the Executive Director role over the next several weeks.

A Commitment To The Community

Catherine Nouhan, Contributor

Enjoy reading the short feature on ANC that is included in the 2022 Local Food Guide, distributed throughout the State. Read more in the 2022 Local Food Guide

Taste the Local Difference is Michigan's local food marketing, consulting, and media agency. Each year, they publish over 100,000 copies of the Local Food Guide, a directory of food businesses throughout Michigan that is jam-packed with stories and recipes. Learn more at localdifference.org

Michigan Made Treats Co-Owners Holly McDermitt and Sarah Stratton want to share their love of baked goods with everybody.
LETA O'CONNOR

MichiganMade Treats finds sweet spot

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Photo tour of Lansing's Allen Neighborhood Center, health center and Allen Place

6/23/2022

Center aims to form ‘sense of connection’

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ANC featured on Fox 47 Morning Blend!

6/23/22

View news story here

The Allen Neighborhood Center in Lansing has a lot to celebrate, and officials from Consumers Energy will be there Friday for a community open house. Jessica Tramontana from Consumers Energy talks about the Allen Place, the Consumers Energy Foundation's support -- and great food that local businesses are serving this Friday.

By: Morning Blend

Whitmer Awards Grants to 33 Local Governments and Nonprofits to Upgrade Housing Infrastructure

07/14/2022

Joan Nelson huddled with East Lansing Food Co-op President Stephen Gasteyer at Wednesday's Allen Farmers Market to plan ELFCO's imminent move into Allen Place this summer.
LAWRENCE COSENTINO

Allen Neighborhood Center director steps down after 23 years

6/2/2022

Read more in City Pulse about how Joan Nelson led the Eastside community to a brighter future

Equitable Entrepreneurship Programming Returns to In-Person with LEAP’s Hatching Event in Lansing Region.

“We were also thrilled to use this event as an opportunity to feature and support other local entrepreneurs by offering refreshments from three of Allen Neighborhood Center’s incubator kitchen tenants, including Tantay…”

5/20/2022

Eastside community leader Joan Nelson to retire after 23 years

Joan Nelson, executive director of the Allen Neighborhood Center, pictured Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Nelson is retiring after 23 years at the helm.
MATTHEW DAE SMITH/LANSING STATE JOURNAL

5/18/2022

CATA Live - How Can People Get Involved At The Allen Neighborhood Center

5/18/2022

Watch the full video

After 23 years, Allen Neighborhood Center is looking for a new Executive Director

5/08/2022

WLNS 6 Lansing News

New Lansing healthcare clinic opens this summer

4/11/22

New York Times Article about New Ingham Health Clinic in Allen Place

April 9, 2022

In discussing the opening of a brand new Clinic in our Allen Place complex in The New York Times, “Dr. Adenike Shoyinka, [Ingham County] Health Department’s medical director, called the investment a “template” for how to reshape public health programs in Lansing.“

“[Allen Neighborhood Center] next to the Clinic includes a food pantry that distributes over 1,000 pounds of produce and baked goods each week, and has a year-round farmers’ market, gardening classes and a community-supported agriculture program. The center also enrolls low-income residents in Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage.“

We are grateful to Ingham County Commissioners for being granted these COVID-related funds, and for the community's trust in us to provide this truly essential service to Eastside neighbors.

As noted in the NYT article by Ingham County Health Department's Linda Vail: "It takes investment and money to recover from a pandemic, not just respond to a pandemic."

Our partnerships with folks like the health department and Senator Curtis Hertel, Jr. are what allow us to continue to create a healthy, sustainable and thriving neighborhood!

For the complete article Click Here.