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Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for New Americans, Immigrants, and Refugees in West Michigan.

WELCOME PLAN UPDATES

Urgent: Federal Funding Cuts Impact Refugee Families in West Michigan – Your Help is Needed

In January 2025, the federal government froze funding for refugee resettlement, severely impacting vital resources for families approved to start new lives in West Michigan. In response, local organizations like the Kalamazoo Refugee Resource Collaborative (KRRC), along with members of the faith community, have come together to forge a plan of action. While the uncertainty around federal funding continues, the resilience of our community is clear. Volunteers and local agencies are working tirelessly to ensure that no family is left behind.

But this is just the beginning. The West Michigan Welcome Plan Collaborative is still building a sustainable, homegrown support network, and we need your help. We’ve heard the urgent needs from local organizations, and now we are reaching out to you to stand with us.

We need your support! Here are a few specific ways you can make a meaningful impact:

1. Community Interpreter: Help provide essential language support at Power of Attorney/emergency planning workshops, ensuring that everyone can access critical services.
2. Immigration Attorney: Volunteer at walk-in clinics to provide individual legal support for those navigating the complex immigration system.
3. Faith Institution - Collections Network: Partner with worship centers to leverage collections at determined intervals to directly support resettlement and welcoming initiatives.
4. Volunteer: Transportation Support (Scheduled or Emergency/on-call): Help provide transportation for individuals who need it, ensuring they can attend critical appointments and workshops.

These are just a few of the opportunities available to make a direct impact in supporting refugee and immigrant families. Your involvement is crucial!

Community Support Network Survey

Let’s ensure that every refugee family who chooses West Michigan as their new home is welcomed with open arms.

Secretary of State Listening Session Our collaborative partners at the Hispanic Center recently hosted a listening session with the Secretary of State to ensure her offices remain accessible for all community members. Stakeholders, educators, and local leaders gathered to discuss the current sentiments of the community and highlighted opportunities to support the Secretary of State’s commitment to effective public service. Moving forward, the Hispanic Center will continue to share updates on their efforts and provide opportunities for further engagement.

Donate to the Native Language Book Drive! Support language preservation by donating books at Kentwood Public Library or Treetops Collective. Your contributions provide vital resources for Kentwood students from children’s books to adult literacy materials. How to Donate: Drop off books at our donation bins. Prefer to give money? Scan the QR code on the bins or donate via the Welcome Plan’s donation page. Thank you for helping preserve and celebrate native languages!

Switchboard Communities of Practice This Community of Practice (CoP) brings together refugee service providers, data specialists, and program staff from resettlement agencies, state offices, and community-based organizations. Members collaborate to share challenges, strategies, and best practices in the resettlement field. Explore the current communities available: Immigration Legal Services Leaders of Ethnic Community-based Organizations Newcomer Education and Youth Services Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Economic Empowerment Client-Centered Services Monitoring and Evaluation Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Unlike traditional training, CoPs foster peer-to-peer learning, where participants actively exchange ideas, resources, and solutions. With rolling admissions, you can join at any time! Open to practitioners and researchers of all levels, this is a member-led, collaborative space—Join Today!

Registration Now Open for the 2025 Welcoming Interactive!

May 20-22, 2025 | Detroit, MI

Join Welcoming America, Global Detroit, and the City of Detroit Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs for this annual conference on immigrant inclusion, covering economic development, civic engagement, and more.

New Resources

Path to Health/Camino a la Salud - Exalta Health Path to Health is a community-driven program offering in-home health visits to improve well-being through compassionate, culturally responsive care. If you’re over 18, live in Grand Rapids, Wyoming, or Kentwood, and have limited access to primary care, you may qualify for free services like blood pressure and mental health screenings, medication education, and chronic disease management. 📞 Contact Us: 616-475-0182 | p2h@exaltahealth.org 📍 Location: 2060 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 Learn more and take the next step toward better health today!

Community Engagement

Thrive Together - Financial Empowerment - A Glimpse of Africa 5 week Cohort Starting March 15 thru  May 3 2025 A Glimpse of Africa is dedicated to empowering African immigrants and refugees in West Michigan by providing the financial tools, business knowledge, and resources needed to thrive. This five week course covers practical lessons in personal finance, wealth-building strategies, and business development to help individuals manage finances, grow businesses, and strengthen their families' financial futures. This program is designed to support the talented and creative African community in West Michigan, fostering lasting economic impact for individuals and the broader community. Join this journey toward financial empowerment! Register today and take the first step towards a stronger financial future. Click on image for Program Brochure

Tale of Two Worlds Arab and Islamic Celebration April 19th - 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Grand Rapids Public Museum - 272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Join the American-Arab Intellectual Property Association for Tales of Two Worlds: Celebrating Arab & Islamic Culture, an inspiring event dedicated to fostering cultural appreciation and understanding in West Michigan. Founded in 2021 by international intellectual property expert Haitham Hashem Atiyah, the association is committed to promoting cross-cultural connections. This celebration showcases the rich heritage, traditions, and contributions of Arab and Islamic communities in Grand Rapids and beyond. Register for this event to deepen your understanding of the vibrant cultures that enrich West Michigan.

RISE UP Youth Program - Hispanic Center of West Michigan June 10 - August 14 This program offers participants the opportunity to explore career exploration skills, health and wellness, embracing cultural identity, setting and achieving goals, and enjoy fun and exciting field trips. For more details, check out the flyer. Questions? Contact Dr. Pimentel, Director of Education, at lpimentel@hispanic-center.org. Encourage eligible youth to apply and spread the word about this valuable opportunity!

Health is Wealth Community 5K in Support of AQUME Foundation Saturday June 28, 10 a.m.  Millenium Park Paviliion - 1400 Maynard Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI We are excited to invite you, your family, and your organization to participate in the Health is Wealth Community 5K, supporting the AQUME Foundation. Whether you choose to walk, run, or form a team, this event is a great opportunity to promote wellness and give back to the community. Ways to Get Involved: Register & Participate – Walk or run as an individual or team. Sign up here: Register Now Sponsor the Event – Help us reach our $25,000 community grant-making goal. Sponsorship details available upon request. Share & Support – Spread the word by sharing the event video and registration link. Donations are also accepted via the sign-up page. We hope to see you there as we work together to make a difference!

On the Same Page Author Visit: Kaveh Akbar & Tommy Orange Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 8 PM at Godwin Heights High School  Bestselling authors Kaveh Akbar and Tommy Orange will discuss their novels Martyr! and Wandering Stars as part of the On the Same Page series. The event will include a Q&A session, offering the audience a chance to engage with the authors. This event is offered in partnership with Calvin University’s January Series, and pre-signed copies of both books will be available for purchase from Books & Mortar. Please note that photos and videos will be taken at the event. By attending, you consent to being photographed or filmed. Visit event Registration Page for more information. For handicap accessible seating or ASL interpretation, please email programming@kdl.org. We require at least two weeks’ notice for ASL requests. Find a parking map or submit questions for the authors at kdl.org/samepage.

Funding Opportunities

Adult Education Innovation Program Request for Proposals

Deadline for submission is by 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 8, 2025.

Vera Institute of Justice: Funding for Immigration Legal Defense Programs Request for Proposals

Applications are due by April 14, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

The Vera Institute of Justice is inviting applications for its Safety and Fairness for Everyone (SAFE) Network, offering up to $100,000 in catalyst funding for one year to jurisdictions seeking to establish or expand deportation defense programs. This initiative, part of a collaborative effort among state and local governments, legal service providers, and advocates, aims to strengthen legal representation for immigrants and counter harmful federal immigration policies.

Since 2017, the SAFE Network has supported over 55 jurisdictions in building publicly funded legal defense programs. This expansion seeks to increase that number, ensuring more individuals facing deportation receive high-quality representation.

Who Can Apply?

• Jurisdictions with existing programs seeking to expand.

• Jurisdictions planning to establish new programs by year-end.

• Jurisdictions with current programs but no plans for expansion (ineligible for catalyst funds but may join the network).

Learn more about the SAFE Network and apply here.

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

Apply by April 18, 2025.

FEMA recently released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities) funding, totaling $750 million in available support. These funds will help state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments address high-level future risks to natural disasters, foster greater community resilience, and reduce disaster suffering. The application can be submitted until April 18.

Learn more here 

Challenge America, National Endowment for the Arts

Applications due by April 24, 2025.

Challenge America offers support of up to $10,000 for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities. Project activities may include, but are not limited to: arts programming; audience and community engagement, including educational activities; marketing and promotional activities; and organizational planning. This program welcomes applications from applicants that are primarily small organizations, first-time applicants to the NEA, returning Challenge America applicants, or applicants that have not been recently recommended for funding in one of our other grant programs.

Click here to find a full grant program description and application instructions.

Job Opportunities

Multilingual Driving Instructor

Treetops Collective

In an effort to play a role in increasing the number of multilingual driving instructors in West Michigan and simultaneously increasing language-based access to driver’s training for refugees and immigrants, Treetops Collective has committed to fund two new multi-lingual driver’s instructors in Kent County in 2025.

➔ You'll be trained and licensed through Michigan Traffic Safety
➔ You’ll receive on the road training hours through Cox-McKenzie School of Driving
➔ Your new license as a driver’s instructor will allow you to earn income AND create better access and opportunities for immigrant and refugee community members who receive driver’s training from you. Job Description Here!

Community School Coordinator

Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools

The Community School Coordinator is responsible for the implementation, integration, alignment, and coordination of the community school strategy through relationship building and linking community resources to the school. The Coordinator will work directly with students, staff, and families, identifying barriers that limit student success, and will develop strategies and resources to improve attendance and promote student, family, and community engagement. Job Description Here.

Engagement Director

Treetops Collective

• Fundraising and Events
• Donor Engagement and Communications
• Leadership and Supervision

Send your resume to trish@treetopscollective.org

March

April

05 | A Glimpse of Africa - GROW Business Class

19 | Tale of Two Worlds - Arab and Islam Celebration

30 |  Author Visit: Kaveh Akbar & Tommy Orange

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.Visit our website to view and apply for  our open positions.

YOU BELONG HERE! If you haven’t joined us yet, click here to get started. Want to support our mission even further? Meet our funding development team and see how your contribution can make a difference for all of West Michigan. And don’t miss our fun video highlighting our accomplishments—watch it here!

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 9 am to be shared on the Weekly Wednesday Communication.}

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