The McKenzie Patrice Croom Flint Community Lab is the first of its kind in the world to provide a trusted community-based laboratory for Flint residents for free water testing of lead and other pollutants. This innovative lab pairs state-of-the-art technology with a team of student scientists, staff and community members collaborating to increase knowledge and trust about Flint residents’ tap water. The community-run facility will enable resident outreach, Flint-wide water testing, STEM education, job skill training, and social services.
The McKenzie Patrice Croom Flint Community Lab, located inside the Flint Development Center celebrates its grand opening via a ribbon cutting from 11-11:30 a.m. Friday, October 9.
Speakers for the event include: Shelly Sparks-executive director of the Flint Development Center, Jill Ryan – executive director of Freshwater Future, Mayor Sheldon Neeley, Ridgway White – president and CEO of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Daniel Shine – sr. vice president and president of Analytical Instruments, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Raquel Theume – president of the Ruth Mott Foundation, Jim Carney – Flint Community Bank president, TCF Bank and Mike Harris – community leader of the Flint Development Center.
Through generous financial support, the Flint Community Water Lab is opening to the entire community that unifies residents around a common issue—the safety of water in residents’ homes. The success of this project to date is due to the commitment and involvement of its community partners including Freshwater Future, the Flint Development Center, Genesee County Latino Hispanic Collaborative, Flint Neighborhoods United, the University of Michigan Biological Station and the City of Flint; as well as a committee of local residents, donations from The Mott Foundation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Nalgene Water Fund and a host of other generous contributors.
To login to the event virtually via LIVESTREAM, go to https://www.facebook.com/flintdc/.
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