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Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for New Americans, Immigrants, and Refugees in West Michigan.
WELCOME PLAN UPDATES
Latest Immigration Policy Updates
The Immigration Policy Tracking Project (IPTP), founded by Professor Lucas Guttentag, provides a comprehensive and up-to-date catalog of immigration policies from the Trump administration, including key source documents and current status updates. Now expanded to cover "Trump 2.0" policies, the project tracks actions from 2017 onwards.
- Chronologically organized entries with detailed source documents
- Updates on policy status, including judicial rulings
- Searchable by key terms, agencies, and more
- Regular updates reflecting the latest legal and administrative developments
16 Policy Updates as of Jan 21
Click here to read the latest updates
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.
Click to edit this placeholder text.
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Latest Updates
Share the New Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates Know Your Rights & Emergency Planner!
We're excited to share the updated Know Your Rights and Emergency Planner from Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates, designed to help our community stay informed and prepared. This invaluable resource includes critical legal information and emergency planning tips, available in both English and Spanish.
We encourage all Welcome Plan Collaborative members to distribute this important document to those who may benefit. Let's work together to ensure our community is empowered and ready!
View the documents in the Downloads section of our Community Safety page.
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Community Safety Resouces
New Resource Additions have been added!
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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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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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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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!
Community Engagement
Special Webinar Tomorrow: Guidance on ICE Raids at Homeless Services & Shelters
Thursday, January 23, 2:00 PM EST
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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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Circle of Everyday Parenting - EYGC
Tuesdays, 12pm-3pm
Starting February 4th (sign up by February 3rd)
100 Pine St., Zeeland, MI – City on a Hill
EYGC (Empowering Youth Global Connection), in partnership with City on a Hill Health Clinic and GVSU nursing students, is hosting free parenting classes for New American Moms. These classes are open to mothers with children of any age, with a special focus on expecting moms and those with infants.
- Free childcare and lunch provided
- Parent leaders will assist with translation
- Located on the Zeeland bus route
We have space for 30 participants, so please share with New American families! For more details or to sign up, email info@eygc.org.
Click Here for the Spanish Version of the Flyer
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Empowering Black Businesses - A Glimpse of Africa
Friday, February 21, 2025
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
GRCCT, 1530 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
A free celebration of Black History Month with food, music, and community! The event features the kickoff of the AGOA Financial and Vendor Workshop series, offering valuable insights from experts, resources for Black and immigrant businesses, and networking opportunities to promote your business.
Email Gdunai@aglimpseofafrica.org for more information and vendor signups
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Panel Discussion and Art Show - A Glimpse of Africa
Saturday, February 22, 2025
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
GRCCT, 1530 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Free event featuring food, music, and vibrant discussions! Highlights include a panel on Black immigrants and African Americans, an art show showcasing paintings, photos, and drawings that reflect Black stories, and a chance to win a prize for the best art.
Email Gdunai@aglimpseofafrica.org for more information and vendor signups
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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!
Technical Assistance Opportunity – Strengthening Immigrant Inclusion Program (SIIP)
Apply by February 3, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 annual cohort of the World Education Services (WES) Strengthening Immigrant Inclusion Program (SIIP)! This year's focus is Driving Systems Change for Immigrant and Refugee Students. We encourage community and technical colleges to apply to receive access to customized technical support to improve the career success of immigrant and refugee students. Participants will also join the network of more than 45 SIIP communities-from Alaska to Maine to Texas-with access to virtual monthly roundtable discussions and in-person events.
View the Request for Proposals
Complete the SIIP 2025 Application
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
24 | Employer Rights and Responsibilities Webinar
31 | New American Leader Training
February
04 | Circle of Everyday Parenting (starting)- EYGC
21 | Empowering Black Businesses - A Glimpse of Africa
22 | Panel Discussion and Art Show - A Glimpse of Africa
 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.
Quick Subscribe to our newsletter here!
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