National Minority Health Month

Be the Source for Better Health

We take time this month to reflect on the health disparities that persist among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) leads this annual observance and encourages everyone to take action to end these inequities. Click here for more information!

GLOBAL GATHERING PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Welcome Plan is preparing for our Second Annual Global Gathering Event!

We ask all collaborative members that are interested in participating or supporting this event to join our second Planning Committee.

Intersection Ministries: Venezuelan Meal

When: Saturday, April 6, 2024

9 am - 12 pm -- Cooking time

12 pm - 1:30 pm -- free meal and cultural celebration

Where: Intersection Ministries (945 136th Ave Holland MI 49424)

What: Free community meal and games to celebrate our local diversity together!

Latina Connection

Wednesday April 10th, 11:30am-1:30pm GR Chamber

Member Fee $30 / Nonmember fee $45

In a world that constantly challenges us, learning to thrive amidst discomfort is an essential skill. This Latina Connect forum is designed to empower participants with strategies and insights to embrace discomfort as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Through interactive exercises, reflective discussions, and practical strategies, attendees will learn how to reframe discomfort as a positive force in their lives.

Join us Wednesday, April 10 to hear from two visionaries behind Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW): Milinda Ysasi, CEO and Paola Mendivil, Business Development Officer and get equipped with the mindset and skills to not just survive, but thrive, in the face of discomfort.

Bike Sale & Collection Drive

Saturday April 13th from 9am to 12pm

800 Monroe Ave. NW in Suite 110 

Upcycle Bikes exists to donate refurbished adult bikes to individuals needing greater access to community resources and opportunities. In fact, we refurbish and donate around 90% of the bikes that come through our doors.

Completed bikes are rapidly going out the door to their new homes, and we need “new” donations to keep our mechanics busy and to support the huge need for bikes in and around greater Grand Rapids. So, please donate that unused bike, and we’ll give it a new life and a new purpose!

ASIAN INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Friday, April 12th Goei Center 8:30am - 5:00pm

The registration fee is $100 

WMAAA is thrilled to host the very first Asian International Leadership Summit, which aims to empower brands with global influence through sponsorship. This event will bring hundreds of Asian American and Pacific Islander students to the Summit, providing them with inspiration and networking to excel in their careers while contributing to the local community

By aligning with our summit, sponsors have the unique opportunity to engage in unparalleled networking, thought leadership, and market expansion. Click on the image for Sponsorship Packet and click here for information

Empowering Our Generation: Transforming the Congo and the African Continent

Friday and Saturday - May 3rd and 4th, 2024

More Details to Come

In collaboration with The Congolese Student Association at Western Michigan University, Les Clay is proud to announce their partnership in organizing a dynamic 2-day conference that will facilitate networking and conversation. 

Click on Image above for Sponsorship Package Information

ECONOMIC INCLUSION SUMMIT

Community Mental Health: Health Fair

When: May 16, 2024 at 3:30-5:30 pm

Where: Salvation Army (104 Clover St Holland MI)

What: Local agencies will share resources promoting health and wellness in our community.

AGOA Mental Health Fair

Saturday and Sunday 25th-26th of May 12:00pm-6:00pm

Kellogsville Middle School - 4650 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids MI.

This free, two-day fair is designed to address mental health as well as socio-economic determinants in health disparities, especially those impacting refugee and immigrant communities. We are excited to partner with experts and local vendors to provide language and culturally competent tools, education, and resources to build a healthier, thriving community.

Event features:

• African Food and Africa Celebration
• Mental Health and other Expert speakers
• Guest Speakers
• Merchandise Vendors 
• Wellness and Mental Health Resources 
• A Soccer Tournament! $500 Winning Prize and Trophy! Register your team or as an individual player for the soccer tournament, please use this link!

If you would like to participate as a food, merchandise, or mental health/wellness vendor or advocate. To register as a vendor please use this link!

WMHCC 2024 Annual Awards Gala - Herencia Viva

Thursday May 30th // JW Marriott GR

2024 marks the 20^th anniversary of the West Michigan Chamber of Commerce and we are excited to celebrate with you. This celebratory event brought in over 700 attendees last year and is made possible by our sponsors who help us fund the recognition of seven Latinx companies and individuals, and their impact on the local Hispanic business community.

Please, email or call to let us know if you would like to sponsor our 2024 Annual Awards Gala: deena@westmihcc.org. Click on the Image for Sponsorship Package

Health is Wealth 5k - Aqume Foundation

Saturday July 20th - Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534

$35 registration fee - $10 for under 17 year olds

Come WALK or RUN with us to show your support for AQUME Foundation! This 5k event raises money for the OUR Justice Grant Fund. PLUS, this is an excellent opportunity to intentionally bring communities of color and allies together in beautiful green spaces to experience the wealth of health benefits that come from outdoor community gatherings. This is a family friendly event with music, food, giveaways, fun, and more! (Don't want to walk or run? Make a donation instead!) 

Work Permits 101

Wednesday, April 3, at 1:00 p.m. ET Webinar

What are work permits and how can the process to obtain them be improved? Join the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, and Refugees International for a webinar covering the basics of work permits (employment authorization documents) and how that process can be improved.

In this webinar, we will walk through the general process of applying for work permits, the difficulties people face trying to obtain work permits, and some improvements that we should all be advocating for to improve this process for people. An interactive Q&A will be part of the presentation. Click here to register for this webinar.

Exploring the Literature of Immigration: Moving Stories of Middle-School Lunches

Friday, April 4 at 5:30 p.m. ET

If you've ever been new to a school and wondered where you might sit at lunch, you'll resonate with Sandrine Kao's lively story "The Park Bench," translated by Jane Roffe, and so will your students! In this webinar, the hosts will use literature to model how you can move students from an initial spark of empathy into an informed understanding of migration.

It is strongly encouraged you read The Park Bench in advance so you can participate in a literacy analysis that will demonstrate approaches you can use in your classroom. Click here to register for the webinar.

Basic Digital Skills: How are we addressing the divide?

Wednesday April 10th, 8:30am-9:30am

What digital barriers your applicants are facing when trying to apply for jobs? Organization leaders from our region will share how they are addressing digital skills through digital inclusion efforts. Together, we will identify the gaps in upskilling and reskilling our West Michigan talent pool, and how we can make sure that potential employees are prepared to enter your workforce and hit the ground running.   Register for the webinar here. 

Learn what life is like for a citizen returning from incarceration in this unique, eye-opening experience. The event will consist of a speaker, the simulation, and discussion.

Updated Explainer on Parole Programs for Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela

The Biden administration announced changes on Jan 5, 2023, for Haitians, Cubans, and Nicaraguans, modeled after the Venezuela program open since Oct 18, 2022. Up to 30,000 monthly travel authorizations are provided across all parole programs, coupled with stricter border enforcement for nationals from these countries at the border. Click here to read the explainer.

Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP)

Empowering Latinos to participate in creating a better community for all through advocacy, celebration, and education.

Services include:                                                                  

• Individual & Family Counseling
• Language Services
• Form Assistance
• Ottawa County Legal Kiosk
• MDHHS Navigators
• Workforce Development
• Youth Development

 For more information, visit LAUP's website HERE

RFP for EMS workforce support grants

Applications due at 3 p.m., Thursday, May 30

 The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workforce grants to provide funding for enhancing and training Michigan EMS workforce personnel. MDHHS expects to award approximately $9 million, with a maximum award of $400,000 per applicant.

The focus of the program is to continue and expand the workforce development program used for training people in EMS. The intent is to address the critical shortage of paramedics statewide and increase accessibility by reducing barriers to enrollment in EMS education programming, specifically paramedic programs.

The award period begins Oct. 1, 2024, and ends Sept. 30, 2025.  

For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and select "About EGrAMS" link in the left panel to access the "Competitive Application Instructions" training manual. The complete RFP can be accessed under the ‘Current Grants’ section under the “Public Health Administration” link and selecting the “WEMSS-2025” grant program.

Do you have slow internet? No internet?

Help us help you! Kent County is partnering with the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) to prepare for a federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant that will be awarded to Michigan. It's crucial to accurately identify areas marked as "unserved" by high-speed internet on the MIHI broadband map, as only these locations will qualify for BEAD funds. Let's ensure the map is correct!

Residents, businesses, and institutions are asked to:

1. Visit the Challenge website: challenge.merit.edu
2. Look up their address, and
3. Confirm that the broadband service designation is correct

If you have any questions, contact 616-632-7597 or mapchallenge@kentcountymi.gov.