The records of the Urban League of Greater Muskegon have come to the library in two principal accessions, in 1964 and 1995. Included are correspondence, minutes, reports, printed materials, and newspaper clippings documenting the work of the organization. The record group has been divided into the following series:
- History/Background Information
- Board of Directors
- Organizational
- Executive Director
- Topical File
- Community Organization Department
- Urban League Guild of Greater Muskegon
- Printed Material
- Newspaper Clippings
- Health Topical File
- Programs
- Related Organizations
- Photographs
The forerunner of the organization that became the Urban League of Greater Muskegon was the Citizens' Recreation Association, Inc., which was incorporated in February 1944. Established as an interracial, non-profit community service organization, the Citizens' Recreation Association sought to address the education, recreation, and welfare needs of the then 500 African American citizens of the greater Muskegon area.
In 1949, the Citizens' Recreation Association affiliated with the National Urban League becoming the Urban League of Greater Muskegon. The organization is governed by a multi-racial board of governors; its mission is to promote, encourage, assist, and engage in activities designed to improve the social and economic conditions of African Americans and other minority group members in Muskegon County. In order to achieve this goal, the chapter conducts programs intended to strengthen the growth and development of the African American community. Additionally, it conducts in-depth research to identify the social welfare needs of individuals and families. The Greater Muskegon chapter works extensively with existing institutions, both public and private, to make them more aware and responsive to these needs. Finally, it mobilizes and organizes the community to work for the development of alternatives to systems that have been identified as inadequate.
Examples of services provided by the Urban League of Greater Muskegon include health services, such as AIDS prevention and information, high blood pressure detection and counseling, and sickle cell anemia detection; youth employment training programs, including vocational exploration, part-time jobs that provide training and social skills that are needed in the workplace; adult employment services and information referrals, for those seeking services not offered by the Urban League; and other community and educational services.
