Volunteer at the Michigan Immigrant Youth Conference – Fall 2025

Lansing, MI 

Be part of something powerful. This fall, the Michigan Immigrant Youth Conference returns—bringing together over 240 immigrant and refugee youth from across the state for a day of inspiration, connection, and growth.

We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help make this event a success! From welcoming students to assisting with workshops and logistics, your support will help create a safe, empowering space where young leaders can thrive.

Why Volunteer?

• Support youth navigating immigration and identity
• Gain experience in event coordination and youth engagement
• Help lead workshops on college access, mental health, and civic engagement
• Be part of a community working to build a more welcoming Michigan

Sign up to volunteer or contact us to learn more about how you can get involved. We need your help!

City of Grand Rapids Proclaims Welcoming Week

September 12–21, 2025 | Grand Rapids, MI

Members of the West Michigan Welcome Plan Steering Committee joined Mayor David LaGrand as he issued a proclamation declaring September 12–21, 2025, Welcoming Week in Grand Rapids. In his remarks, Mayor LaGrand emphasized the vital role of immigrants in our state’s success and reaffirmed the commitment to making West Michigan—and the state as a whole—a welcoming place for all.

Welcoming Week is a national campaign that celebrates efforts to build communities where everyone can thrive. This year’s theme, #StoriesWeShare, reminds us of the connections that unite us and the stories that strengthen our collective prosperity.

Michigan’s success depends on ensuring that all residents—new and long-time alike—feel welcome. Immigrants bring ideas, start businesses, serve in civic roles, work in critical industries, and enrich the cultural fabric that makes our region strong.

Join us in honoring, celebrating, and welcoming New Americans to Michigan.

Want your event or update featured?

We’re now using a Community Newsletter Submission Form to collect news, events, and opportunities that support immigrants, refugees, and New Americans in West Michigan. Use the form to request inclusion in our newsletter, website, or social media.

Email requests will no longer be accepted. Submission does not guarantee inclusion; priority goes to content most relevant to immigrant communities.

Supervisor Learning Cohort – Strengthen Skills and Build a Community of Practice

Health Net of West Michigan is offering a Supervisor Learning Cohort, a 26.5-hour interactive training series designed for supervisors in human services and healthcare systems. The program focuses on developing core supervisory skills to improve staff support, engagement, and retention, while fostering high-quality service delivery.

Participants will engage in experiential, hands-on sessions covering topics such as:

• Effective supervision practices and feedback
• Documentation and legal/ethical considerations
• Cross-cultural supervision and creating brave spaces
• Preventing burnout and secondary traumatic stress
• Conflict resolution, group dynamics, and meeting facilitation
• Delegation, accountability, and reflective practice

Training uses multiple instructional methods, including modeling, peer learning, and mindfulness/self-care activities, ensuring supervisors of all experience levels can benefit. The cohort builds a community of practice where participants learn from both facilitators and peers. Certificates of completion and continuing education credits for social workers and community health workers are available.

A new public cohort will be scheduled once there is enough interest. Sessions can be facilitated in-person or virtually, with each cohort accommodating 6–16 participants.

For more information or to express interest, contact Christina Pavlak, LMSW at cpavlak@healthnetwm.org or (616) 818-8341.

Free Hearing and Vision Screenings For Kids

The Kent County Health Department is offering free hearing and vision screenings for children sages 3 and up. Screenings are available in schools, preschools, day cares, or by appointment - just call 616‑632‑7047 to schedule.

Michigan law requires that all children present documentation of a hearing and vision screening, or an approved exemption, before their first day of kindergarten.

Early detection is essential: even mild, diagnosed sensory issues can impact a child’s ability to learn, follow directions, socialize, or participate fully in school. Identifying and addressing these concerns early can help prevent long-term challenges and support academic success.

The Health Department is proud to offer this free program to the community. Early screening truly can change the trajectory for kids by helping them start school with clarity, comfort, and confidence.

Free Citizenship Classes

September 17 – November 12
6:30 PM – 8 PM

Intersection Ministries
945 136th Ave, Holland, MI 49424

Last Day to Register: September 24

What Students will Receive:

• Study materials
• Practice for the 100 civics questions
• Help filling out the USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization
• Assistance preparing an attorney packet with required documents
• A free pre-screening with an immigration attorney and referral

Contact to Register:

• English: Bev – 616-953-2051 | bjstep02@gmail.com
• Spanish: Emily – 641-244-2888.

Or register here Citizenship Class | Intersection Ministries

Knowing Their Story, Knowing Your Role: Navigating the Path to Mental Well-Being for Refugees & New Americans

Friday, September 19, 2025 • 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Kent County Health Department - 700 Fuller Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Who should attend: Professionals across disciplines who provide mental health support to Refugee and New American communities.

What you’ll gain:

• Develop and cultivate cultural humility
• Analyze and build strategic treatment plans
• Articulate and adapt therapeutic modalities through a cultural lens

CE Credits: Registration includes three Social Work Continuing Education credits (provided by Forest View Hospital). Scholarships available upon request.

Register Here!
—or scan the QR code on the attached flyer.

Questions: Contact Tracy Malinowski-Fahner at tracy.fahner@kentcountymi.gov.
Please feel free to share with colleagues!

Immigration Legal Services: Immigrant Connection at KCC

1200 60th St SE in Kentwood,  Monday through Wednesday from 9 AM to 5 PM

Immigrant Connection at Kentwood Community Church provides low-cost immigration legal services for the West Michigan community.

Services are available by appointment only. Community members can request a consultation online. Those interested can sign up at: kentwoodcommunitychurch.com/immigrant-connection. For questions, contact: ic@kcconline.org or call 616-827-3211.

The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan is continuing its partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). While we are no longer doing weekly drop-ins, DHHS appointments are still available by request.

DHHS staff will be available at the Hispanic Center to help with:

• Food Assistance Program (FAP) – Helps you buy food.
• Health Coverage – Support with healthcare costs.
• Cash Assistance – Financial support for parents, older adults, refugees, and people with disabilities.
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) – Provides food, referrals, and education for mothers and young children.
• Child Development & Care (CDC) – Helps cover childcare costs for working families.
• State Emergency Relief (SER) – Helps with emergency expenses like utilities or housing.

To schedule an appointment, please call 616-742-0200. You can also reach out to Vero Mascorro (vmascorro@hispanic-center.org), who is leading this partnership.

Click on image for English and Spanish Flyers

31st Diversity Lecture Series

Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 5:30–7:30 PM | Grand Rapids Community College, Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, Room 168

Join us for the 31st Diversity Lecture Series featuring Dr. Brandi Prichett-Johnson presenting “Leading with Heart.”

This lecture will explore how leading with empathy, authenticity, and heart can transform communities and organizations by cultivating a deeper culture of care.

Register Here

Pedals for Progress 2025 – Celebrate the Power of a Bike

Thursday, September 18 / 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Goei Center, 1313 Fulton Street E, Grand Rapids

Upcycle Bikes emphasizes that a bike is more than just a way to reach a destination. When provided at no cost to someone in need, a bike can offer independence, opportunity, and connection to vital resources.

Pedals for Progress 2025 will celebrate the achievements of individuals building stability through affordable transportation, reflect on the collective progress of Upcycle Bikes as an organization and community resource, and support future impact.

Upcoming Health Literacy & English Class – Starting October 14

The next Health Literacy and English class will begin on October 14 at Streams/Catherine’s Health (280 60th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548). This five-week course will meet twice a week and is designed for adult learners with current refugee status. Childcare and transportation assistance will be provided.

Flyers are available in English, Spanish, Dari, Kinyarwanda, and Swahili and can be shared with clients, families, patients, and staff. Instructions on the referral process are also included. Referrals are already being received, and the organizers extend their sincere thanks for the support.

For questions, please contact (616) 551-4553 by email, text, or phone. Referral Process

Black Leadership Advisroy Council (BLAC) – Open Committee Seats

The Black Leadership Advisory Council (BLAC) is currently seeking new committee members from across Michigan—particularly from the western, southern, and northern regions—to join its Health, Education, African Diaspora, Business Leaders, and Arts & Culture committees.

If you know of qualified applicants in your community, please encourage them to submit their resume to BLAC Administrator Alexis Dye at DyeA3@michigan.gov or call 231-880-5720. Applications will be vetted by the appointments office.

🔗 Learn more about BLAC and its committees: michigan.gov/blac

TAPESTRY: Celebrating 15 Years of Global Detroit

November, 2025 | Detroit, MI

This November, Global Detroit invites you to TAPESTRY, our annual fundraiser and community celebration. Together we’ll honor 15 years of advancing immigrant-focused strategies that fuel innovation, strengthen communities, and drive prosperity across Southeast Michigan.

The evening will feature food, drinks, music, and special guests while recognizing the leaders, organizations, and businesses shaping a more welcoming Michigan.

Sponsorship is your opportunity to celebrate Global Detroit’s 15 years of impact, take a stand for smart immigration policies that safeguard entrepreneurship and economic growth, and bolster shared prosperity by ensuring immigrants are intentionally part of regional development strategies.

 View Sponsor Packet

Help Improve Lead Awareness in Kent County – Take the Survey

Survey available in 9 languages!

The Kent County Lead Team is inviting community members to participate in a brief survey on lead poisoning prevention. The survey asks about your experiences, opinions, and awareness related to lead and takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary and anonymous.

Survey results will help guide future efforts to address lead concerns throughout Kent County.

Take the survey here

For questions, contact LeadActionTeam@KentCountyMi.Gov. Please help spread the word and encourage others in your circles to participate!