Full Name
Randy Vander Weit
Job Title
President/Director
Company
McLaughlin Neighborhood Association/West MI Youth for Christ
Speaker Bio
Randy Vanderweit serves as the President of the McLaughlin Neighborhood Association in Muskegon, Michigan, where he has long been an advocate for equitable community development, resident engagement, and neighborhood empowerment. His reintroduction to Marria McIntosh and the early work that became Thredz.org began during the City of Muskegon’s proposed zoning changes impacting the Angell, Jackson Hill, McLaughlin, and Nims neighborhoods.
He also serves as the City Life Director for Youth for Christ USA, leading outreach and mentorship programs that engage young people through faith, leadership, and service. In this role, Randy partners with local churches and community organizations to raise lifelong followers of Christ who lead by godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word, and commitment to social involvement.
As a neighborhood leader, Randy attended the City’s Planning Commission Community Input Session, where he—alongside Marria and other residents from multiple neighborhoods—voiced concerns about how the proposed zoning could accelerate displacement and diminish local control. Following those meetings, Marria convened the presidents of the Angell, Jackson Hill, and McLaughlin Neighborhood Associations to develop a united community response—laying the groundwork for what would become Coalition: 3N1Community (3N1C), and later, Thredz.org.
Since those early days, Randy has remained an integral partner in Thredz’s evolution from grassroots organizing to a 501(c)(3) Community Building Corporation. He continues to serve on the 3N1Community Advisory Committee, contributing his insight and hands-on support across initiatives such as House Party: Pathways to Homeownership, Rap w/ Ya Rep, and the Thredz Y3 Youth Leadership Program.
Randy’s leadership reinforces Thredz steadfast commitment to collective voice, equitable revitalization, and community education—principles that have guided his work for more than a decade and continue to anchor Thredz’s mission to counter the negative effects of gentrification through resident-led advocacy and action.
He also serves as the City Life Director for Youth for Christ USA, leading outreach and mentorship programs that engage young people through faith, leadership, and service. In this role, Randy partners with local churches and community organizations to raise lifelong followers of Christ who lead by godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word, and commitment to social involvement.
As a neighborhood leader, Randy attended the City’s Planning Commission Community Input Session, where he—alongside Marria and other residents from multiple neighborhoods—voiced concerns about how the proposed zoning could accelerate displacement and diminish local control. Following those meetings, Marria convened the presidents of the Angell, Jackson Hill, and McLaughlin Neighborhood Associations to develop a united community response—laying the groundwork for what would become Coalition: 3N1Community (3N1C), and later, Thredz.org.
Since those early days, Randy has remained an integral partner in Thredz’s evolution from grassroots organizing to a 501(c)(3) Community Building Corporation. He continues to serve on the 3N1Community Advisory Committee, contributing his insight and hands-on support across initiatives such as House Party: Pathways to Homeownership, Rap w/ Ya Rep, and the Thredz Y3 Youth Leadership Program.
Randy’s leadership reinforces Thredz steadfast commitment to collective voice, equitable revitalization, and community education—principles that have guided his work for more than a decade and continue to anchor Thredz’s mission to counter the negative effects of gentrification through resident-led advocacy and action.
Speaking At
