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Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for New Americans, Immigrants, and Refugees in West Michigan.
WELCOME PLAN UPDATES
 Strengthening Our Community: A Day of Support for Refugees and Immigrants
The Safety and Support While Navigating West Michigan event, hosted by the Welcome Plan's Safe and Connected Community Workgroup, was a tremendous success. Over 100 refugees, immigrants, new Americans, and community partners gathered to engage with leaders from Immigration Law, local Law Enforcement, Victim Advocacy, and the MDHHS. Presenters shared valuable insights into their professions and outlined how their services can support and assist the community. The event also provided an opportunity for attendees to to share their experiences in their home country with these types of services and were able to ask questions and learn about available resources.
Stay tuned for videos and additional resources from the event - coming soon! In the meantime, click on the image above to view photos from the event.
 Click on Image for Event Flyer
Grant Writing Success Academy
Workshop #1: “What Documents Do I Need?”
Wednesday, January 22
2:00–5:00 PM
The Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St SW, Grand Rapids, MI
Join us for the first session in our Grant Writing Workshop Series, designed to empower the immigrant community with the skills and confidence needed to secure funding and drive meaningful change!
Don’t miss this chance to take the first step toward making a bigger impact in your community.
Support Our Native Language Book Drive: Donate at Kentwood Library & Treetops Collective
We're excited to announce donation bins for our Native Language Book Drive at Kentwood Public Library and Treetops Collective. These bins provide an easy way for you to donate books and support language preservation in our community.
Why Donate?
Your contributions help create resources for students at select Kentwood Public preserving their native languages. Whether it’s children’s books, adult literacy materials, or cultural texts, your donation makes a difference.
Where to Donate:
Monetary Donations:
Prefer to give money? Simply scan the QR code on the bins to make a secure online donation.
Thank you for helping preserve and celebrate Native languages! For more info, visit
Monetary donations can be made directly via the Welcome Plan’s donation page.
Latest Updates
Now Accepting Referrals for the CHEA Program
CWS Grand Rapids is excited to announce the launch of the Cuban/Haitian Entrant & Asylee Program (CHEA), providing essential services to individuals from Cuba or Haiti who have arrived in the U.S. within the last 90 days.
Services include:
- Immigration legal assistance
- Public benefits access
- Healthcare navigation
- English language education
- Integration support, including job placement
To refer individuals or for case assistance, contact CHEA Case Manager Wilnelia Flores-Rivera at wflores-rivera@cwsglobal.org. For program inquiries, reach out directly to the program lead.
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Immigration Resources for Schools
Role-Based Immigration Resources for Schools
Empowering your school to support immigrant students and families starts here! Our curated resource list is organized by common school roles—making it easy to find relevant tools and guidance. Resources are tailored for:
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Superintendents and School Boards of Education
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Enrollment Officers and Accounting Teams
- Security & Crisis Supervisors
- Bus Drivers
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Liaisons and more
From Welcoming Schools Toolkits to Information for schools on ICE requests for access or information, these resources help every role contribute to an inclusive and welcoming school environment. Explore the full list today!
Empower Women with Free AI Training and Certification
Ama International, in partnership with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO), is offering a complimentary, self-paced AI training course designed to give women a competitive edge in employment and entrepreneurship.
Led by experts from MIT, Harvard, and Carnegie Mellon, this training requires no prior AI knowledge and awards a certification upon completion. It’s the perfect opportunity to enhance your skills and accelerate business growth or leadership.
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Sign up for the WhatsApp group here to access support and facilitation.
- Complete your registration through the portal provided in the group.
There’s no limit on participation, so share this incredible opportunity with your network. Let’s equip women with the tools to thrive in a tech-driven world!
For more details, refer to the attached information sheet and flyer.
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U.S. Department of Education: Ensuring Equal Educational Opportunities for All Students
The U.S. Department of Education, led by Secretary Miguel Cardona, reaffirms its commitment to educational equity in a letter addressing the importance of supporting immigrant students. This message highlights the legal obligations of schools to provide equal access to education, regardless of immigration status, and introduces a suite of resources to assist educators, families, and school leaders.
From the landmark Plyler v. Doe decision to modern tools like the Newcomer Toolkit and the English Learner Family Toolkit, the Department continues to advocate for inclusivity and excellence in education. For educators and families seeking guidance, the letter provides actionable insights and links to comprehensive resources designed to help all students thrive.
Read the full letter and access the resources here.
Click Here Spanish Version!
PREPARATION & RAPID RESPONSE RESOURCES for Immigrants & Community Allies
As shifts in U.S. immigration law and policy are anticipated in 2025, it's crucial for individuals, families, and communities to stay informed and prepared. This resource document, provided by Welcoming America, provides helpful links and information to support rapid response to these changes. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and the information provided is not legal advice. For specific immigration concerns, we strongly recommend consulting a reputable attorney.
Click here to view the Rapid Response Resource Document
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Beware of Immigration Scams on Social Media
Scammers are targeting immigrants on platforms like Facebook, impersonating lawyers and offering fake immigration services. They promise work permits, green cards, or citizenship, but their goal is to steal your money. These scams often involve fake USCIS appointments through Zoom or WhatsApp.
To protect yourself:
- Visit USCIS.gov for accurate information and updates.
- Be wary of websites not ending in .gov.
- Know that USCIS accepts specific payment methods — anyone asking for different payments is a scammer.
- Share this information with others in immigrant communities.
If you suspect a scam, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (Spanish ReporteFraude.ftc.gov) or call (877) 382-4357. For more tips, visit ftc.gov/immigration for advice on how to find real immigration help and avoid scams targeting immigrants.
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Community Safety Resouces
We are developing an important section of information under our Legal Resource Page for community safety in anticipation of policy changes in 2025. This evolving platform will feature essential information such as passport guidance, "Know Your Rights" presentations, and updates on Temporary Protective Status (TPS) expiration dates.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates as we collaborate to bring the most relevant resources to our community!
Click Here to View
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Community Engagement
Free MLK Commemoration Event: "Growing Together" with Arbor Circle
Thursday, January 16th, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Wealthy Theater 130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Arbor Circle will partner with Dr. Lisa Lowery to explore Dr. King’s 1967 book Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?. Dr. King’s final work addresses the crucial role of social determinants of health—such as poverty, housing, education, and economic inequality—in achieving true equality. Dr. Lowery will reflect on these themes, emphasizing the power of the “creative dissenter” in driving social change.
Registration is required. Feel free to share with others!
Register Here!
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Immigration Know Your Rights & Advocate Training
Thursday, January 16
Two Presentations Available: English and Spanish
Are you an advocate looking to train others on their rights with ICE, or a community member wanting to learn how to assert your rights?
Join the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) for a webinar covering Know Your Rights (KYR) for all individuals, regardless of immigration status. They'll also show advocates how to lead their own KYR trainings.
This session will be offered twice —first in Spanish, then in English. Registration links are below. Feel free to share with anyone who may benefit.
WEBINAR 1 - SPANISH
January 16, 2025
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST
REGISTER
WEBINAR 2 - ENGLISH
January 16, 2025
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST
REGISTER
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Opportunity: MDHHS Seeks Applicants for SDOH Hubs Advisory Council
Applications are due by Friday, Jan. 17
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is inviting applications for its Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Hubs Advisory Council. This council plays a vital role in shaping Michigan’s statewide SDOH strategy, providing guidance and recommendations to improve community health and well-being. The council will focus on enhancing the impact, performance, and sustainability of SDOH Hubs, which help residents access the care and support needed to stay healthy.
Eligible participants include community leaders, health professionals, policymakers, and others with expertise in health equity. The council will meet virtually starting in February 2025, with a commitment of approximately 36 hours through December 2025.
Learn more and apply online!
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Achieve Financial Success with World Financial Group
World Financial Group (WFG) provides tailored financial services, including life insurance guidance, retirement strategies, and insurance protection. Their solutions help clients secure their financial future.
WFG also empowers entrepreneurs with a supportive, turnkey business model and a commission structure that fosters mentorship and teamwork.
Download the Core Financial Concepts guide and watch the video to learn more about how WFG is transforming financial services and empowering entrepreneurs!
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Volunteer Opportunity: Join Project Faulu! Refugee Education Center
Project Faulu is looking for volunteers to support its after-school learning program, which provides valuable educational opportunities to students in our community. Whether you can commit to volunteering this semester or just want to help spread the word, your involvement can make a difference.
If you're interested in volunteering, please visit Project Faulu for more details.
Even if you're unable to volunteer at this time, The Refugee Education Center encourages you to share this opportunity with family, friends, colleagues, and your wider community—together, we can help make a lasting impact!
Thank you for your support!
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New Virtual Host Homes Certificate Course Available
Refugee Housing Solutions (RHS) is excited to launch its free Virtual Host Homes Certificate Course, designed for resettlement agency housing staff and anyone interested in launching Host Home programs. The course covers best practices for supporting newcomers staying with host families during their first weeks or months in the U.S.
Hosted on the Articulate 360 platform, the self-paced course takes several hours to complete, with the flexibility to save progress and finish at your convenience.
RHS looks forward to your feedback and how the course enhances Host Home programs.
Take the course here!
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Employer Rights and Responsibilities Webinar
Friday, January 24
1:00 p.m. ET
The American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) invites members of the welcoming network to join this webinar that provides practical, actionable guidance to help you navigate today's regulatory landscape to ensure that you and your employees are able to create the stable workplace environment you and your team need and deserve.
During the webinar, you will learn about -
- correctly filling out Form I-9s and conducting self-audits,
- identifying which I-9s to retain or dispose of,
- building a contingency plan for workplace enforcement actions,
- training employees on workplace preparedness, and
- the current political landscape affecting businesses.
This training is designed for all employers, regardless of business size, number of employees, or sector, and will equip you with the tools to safeguard your business and employees.
REGISTER NOW!
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New American Leader Training
January 31st to February 2nd, 2025 (Detroit, Michigan)
$150 registration fee if accepted / Scholarships Available
- Priority Application Deadline: December 2nd, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET
- Final Application Deadline: December 13th, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET
Ready to Lead® Midwest offers a unique training program that views the immigrant experience as an asset in civic leadership. Designed by New Americans, the curriculum covers essential skills like crafting a values-driven stump speech, mastering grassroots fundraising, and leveraging heritage to succeed as a candidate. Participants will also engage with New American leaders from across the country, learning from elected officials.
After completing Ready to Lead®, alumni gain access to ongoing one-on-one coaching, resources, and a national network of New Americans dedicated to transforming leadership across the nation.
APPLY HERE!
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Funding Opportunities
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)
Application Submission Deadline: 01/24/2025 at 5 p.m. ET
The NSGP provides funding support for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack. This includes houses of worship. NSGP is a competitive grant program appropriated annually through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
More Information Here!
2024 Section 107a Adult Education Innovation Program Request for Proposals
Deadline for submission is by 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 8, 2025.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO-WD) is offering approximately $5 million in funding to support innovative approaches that increase enrollment, retention, and completion in adult education programs. This funding aims to support scalable, evidence-based innovations for adult learners, including those without a high school diploma and English language learners. Proposals should align with best practices and focus on enhancing program delivery, support services, and workforce connections.
Announcement and supporting documents are available on the Funding Opportunities and Adult Education pages.
If you have questions regarding the application or need assistance with the application in NexSys, please contact the LEO-WD Adult Education team at LEO-AdultEd@michigan.gov.
Job Opportunities
The Community Health Worker (CHW) helps patients with financial assistance, enrollment in MDHHS programs, and accessing insurance plans. They collaborate with providers and pharmacies to offer medication support and connect clients to community resources. The CHW promotes healthier behaviors and self-sufficiency while improving well-being and reducing healthcare costs.
More Information Here!
Engagement Director - Treetops Collective
- Fundraising and Events
- Donor Engagement and Communications
- Leadership and Supervision
Send your resume to trish@treetopscollective.org
Development Director - ASJ US
The Development Director is responsible to design and implement a strategy for how we
can engage deeper with existing and emerging communities of ASJ donors and supporters across the US. The position will have significant fundraising and development responsibilities, and will require up to 8 total trips throughout the US per year in addition to one annual trip to Honduras.
More Information Here!
Administrative Assistant - ASJ US
The Administrative Assistant is responsible for office management, office
organization and administration, scheduling and meeting management, fundraising support, administrative errands, and printing and mailing. This is a part-time position, 28 hours per week on average, 4 days a week
More Information Here!
 January
16 | MLK Commemoration Event: "Growing Together"
16 | Immigration Know Your Rights & Advocate Training
22 | Grant Writing Workshop: What Documents Do I Need?
24 | Employer Rights and Responsibilities Webinar
31 | New American Leader Training
 Looking for a rewarding career? Consider Kent County!
Working for the County, you will have the opportunity to serve the public and contribute to your community. We have employment opportunities in general government, health, public safety, judicial, recreational, and much more. To view our open positions and apply, please visit accesskent.com/jobs.
Want to Join the Collaborative?
 Completion of this interest form will connect you with our coordinator to learn more about the Welcome Plan Collaborative and get connected to a workgoup.
 Please share communications with Marcial Benavidez (marcial.benavidez@kentcountymi.gov) any communications that you would like to include on Tuesdays by 9am to be shared on the Weekly Wednesday Communication.
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