From its early beginnings almost 38 years ago, the Newaygo County Community Collaborative (NC3), has been a model of how the community can come together to help those who need access to services and support.

In 1985 and originally named MAC for Multi-Agency Consortium, the organization began with just a small group of four people who liked and supported each other and got together for breakfast each week and looked for ways to help their clients and families who were falling through the cracks.  Their common goal was caring for clients. 

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"What we found with our group was that all of us had a little bit of money to do something, but together we had more money to get something accomplished "

                                         -Ned Hughes, Past President

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This spanned nearly 12 years. Their innovation and dedication were instrumental and securing funding for a shelter home for runaway children that in the past were being sent 40 miles from home. The "Big MAC" as it was affectionately called also helped to establish a family crisis program and a program for homeless youth. 

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As the MAC expanded its focus to all ages, it established the Even Start program to reduce illiteracy in the county and helped secure Medicaid funding for prenatal care.

In 1994 The MAC became part of the State of Michigan's official collaboratives. The organization was renamed in 2001 as The Newaygo County Community Collaborative (NC3), and is the official, state-endorsed community collaborative serving Newaygo County. We are made up of representatives from the fields of health care, human services, education, county government, courts, economic development, employment and training, the faith-based community, substance abuse, and other agencies concerned with the quality of life of Newaygo County residents and dedicated to connecting, collaborating and communicating!

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