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Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for New Americans, Immigrants, and Refugees in West Michigan.
WELCOME PLAN UPDATES
Food, Culture, and Connection in West Michigan
 The Welcome Plan’s Engaged Community Workgroup recently hosted a Cultural Meal that brought together regional food ecosystem partners, local government leaders, community members, and even some of our collaborative partners. Guests enjoyed an authentic meal and an engaging educational presentation from Motherland Cultural Connections, led by CEO Mirabel Umenei. The evening featured local African cuisines from Famz Foods, A Taste of Africa, and Princess African Cuisine, highlighting the richness of our region’s global food culture.
The Welcome Plan looks forward to coordinating future Cultural Meals to continue creating spaces to connect, learn, and celebrate West Michigan’s diversity while strengthening our local food ecosystem.
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!
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The New International Degree Toolkit!
 This resource, developed by the Welcome Plan’s Maximize Economic Potential Workgroup—helps immigrants and refugees translate international education into local careers. Available in 10 languages, it maps practical next steps: continue your studies, pursue re-licensing, strengthen job-ready English, or launch a business.
📄 Download the toolkit and access translations here: Download Now
New Engagement Manager Role – Connecting Employees and Community
Post is open until September 26 at 11:59pm
Kent County is creating the Engagement Manager position to strengthen connections inside and outside the organization. As the first person to hold this role, you will help shape its direction and impact. Working closely with Human Resources, County departments, and elected offices, you’ll foster a positive workplace culture, support creativity and collaboration, and ensure that employees feel engaged and valued.
Externally, you’ll build meaningful community partnerships, increase awareness of County services, and promote best practices in communication and engagement. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, strong collaborator, and passionate advocate for both employees and the community. Apply Here
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.
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The Immigration Policy Tracking Project (IPTP)
View a comprehensive and up-to-date federal catalog of federal immigration policies and processes, including key source documents and status updates.
Local Resources
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:
Or register here Citizenship Class | Intersection Ministries
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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 (click on the image to view) 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
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Online Citizenship Test Civics Classes
With the Ford Museum & New-York Historical Society
Date & Location
Mondays & Wednesdays, October 20 – November 5, 2025
6:30–8:30 PM | Online via Zoom
Are you preparing for U.S. citizenship? Join a special set of free online classes designed to help green card holders study for the civics portion of the naturalization test.
These classes are offered in partnership with the Ford Museum and the New-York Historical Society, as part of their Citizenship Project. Participants will receive guided instruction and study resources to build confidence for the civics test.
Learn more about the NYHS program here:
New-York Historical Society Citizenship Project
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Future In Full Bloom Celebration
Wednesday, October 29 * 11 AM
889 Broadway Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Treetops Collective is hosting its annual fundraising luncheon celebrating growth, potential, and the thriving futures of young women in the Teen Concentric Program. Guests can explore handmade goods from the Rooted Together store, enjoy chai from the Community Café, connect with staff and program members, and take in live music, global appetizers, and a photo booth—all before and during the main program. If you’re passionate about welcoming, youth leadership, and community connection, this is a great event to support.
Register Here!
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MomsBloom Seeking New Board Members
MomsBloom is inviting new board members to help guide and grow its mission of supporting families during the postpartum period. The organization recognizes that the early weeks after welcoming a baby can be both beautiful and overwhelming, and its programs play a vital role in helping parents feel less isolated and more supported.
MomsBloom is especially interested in connecting with individuals who:
- Bring diverse lived and professional experiences.
- Have expertise in Human Resources, are licensed mental health professionals, or have experience with nonprofit strategic planning.
- Share a passion for strengthening families and advancing maternal mental wellness and health equity.
Board members play a key role in shaping the future of MomsBloom, ensuring that every family has the care and community they need during this critical time.
Those interested in serving, or nominating someone else, can apply at the following link:
Board Member Application Form
Thank you for helping MomsBloom grow a strong, diverse board to meet the needs of the community.
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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.
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Community Engagement
Union High School – First Annual Cultural Celebration Day
Date & Time
Friday, September 26, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Union High School is excited to host its First Annual Cultural Celebration Day, a vibrant event highlighting the diverse traditions, talents, and stories within the community.
Event Highlights
- Food trucks and cultural food vendors
- Traditional music and dance performances
- Storytelling sessions
- Cultural fashion displays
- Games and interactive activities
- Arts and crafts exhibitions
- Language and literature showcases
This celebration will bring students, families, and community members together to honor cultural diversity and strengthen connections across generations.
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Glass Slipper Masquerade Ball
Friday, October 31 (8 PM – 12 AM, doors open at 7 PM).
This elegant black-tie fundraiser includes dinner and supports Seeds of Promise, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Grand Rapids’ Southeast community.
Seeds of Promise is a place-based urban community improvement initiative that empowers residents to lead their own strategies for neighborhood growth. Their “bottom-up” approach focuses on building prosperity and producing measurable impact for the future.
Check out the event flyer for ticket information and details.
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2025 Talent & Inclusion Summit
Unlocking Talent, Inclusion, and Retention for a Stronger West Michigan
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | 8 AM – 1 PM | JW Marriott, Grand Rapids
The Chamber’s Talent & Inclusion Summit brings together executives, Human Resource professionals, and thought leaders to explore strategies for building inclusive, high-performing teams. This year’s focus includes inclusive leadership, effective attraction and retention strategies, and engaging a multi-generational workforce.
Attendees will leave with practical tools to strengthen workplace culture, foster belonging, and retain top talent across West Michigan.
Register Here!
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ASIAN GALA
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Goei Center - The Goei Center 818 Butterworth St SW
Join the West Michigan Asian American Association (WMAAA) for an elegant evening celebrating community and Asian heritage. Experience the richness of culture and reflect on the impactful work WMAAA has done to empower the Asian American community.
Click on image for Sponsor Packet
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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.
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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
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TAPESTRY: Celebrating 15 Years of Global Detroit
NOVEMBER 13, 2025 | 2900 E GRAND BLVD 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
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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!
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Funding Opportunities
People-First AI Fund
Deadline: October 8, 2025, at 11 p.m.
The People-First AI Fund is offering $50 million to support U.S.-based nonprofits.
Grant Details
This fund can support AI literacy and public understanding projects, including programs that teach community members how to use AI for language translation, support school or health visits, recognize chatbots, stay safe online, and more.
Job Opportunities
Interim Executive Director – Coalition of African Organizations in West Michigan (CAO-WM)
CAO-WM is seeking a part-time (20 hrs/week, hybrid) Interim Executive Director ($25–$30/hr) to lead strategic vision, fundraising, and operations in support of African immigrant organizations across West Michigan.
Those interested can apply at www.cao-wm.org or learn more by contacting: coa.wm1@gmail.com.
Build a Career with Purpose - Consider Kent County
When you join Kent County, you're not just starting a job—you’re serving your community. Our team works across a wide range of areas, including public health, safety, justice, parks and recreation, and general government services. No matter your background or skillset, there’s a place for you to make a meaningful impact.
Visit our website to view and apply for our open positions.
Apply For Kent County Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Are you looking for ways to get involved in your community?
The Kent County Board of Commissioners is seeking residents interested in serving through appointment to its boards, commissions, and committees. They are happy to highlight over 40 open seats across boards, commissions, and committees - providing opportunities for residents to shape local priorities in areas such as aging services, health policy, transportation, public infrastructure, and more! These important roles offer meaningful opportunities for residents to help shape county policies and make a real impact.
Qualified residents may learn more and apply by completing an online account and submitting an application here. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2025
 September
26 | Union High School – First Annual Cultural Celebration Day
October
17 | Michigan Immigrant Youth Conference
22 | Asian Gala - WMAAA
29 | Future In Bloom Fundraiser - Treetops
31 | Glass Slipper Masquerade Ball
November
13 | Tapestry - Celebrating 15 Years of Global Detroit
Want to Join the Collaborative?
 If you haven’t joined us yet, click here to get started.
By completing our interest form, you'll be connected with our coordinator to learn more about the Welcome Plan Collaborative and how to get involved in one of our workgroups.
Want to take your support even further? Meet our funding development team and discover how your contribution can help advance our mission across West Michigan.
And don’t miss our short video celebrating recent accomplishments and highlighting the impact of our collaborative work—we think you’ll be inspired!
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