Fwd: West Michigan Welcome Plan Newsletter
CAWM President
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From: minnie morey <minni...@gmail.com>
Date: December 18, 2025 at 10:17:40 AM EST
To: Chinese Association <cawm.pr...@gmail.com>, IndiaLink GR <GR.Ind...@gmail.com>, Chit Barker <chitbark...@gmail.com>, Connie Busser <koreancon...@gmail.com>, "Japanese Heritage Society (grjap...@gmail.com)" <grjap...@gmail.com>, b...@bhutanesecommunitymi.org
Subject: Fwd: West Michigan Welcome Plan Newsletter
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From: West Michigan Welcome Plan <kentco...@public.govdelivery.com>
Date: Thu, Dec 18, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Subject: West Michigan Welcome Plan Newsletter
To: <minni...@gmail.com>
December 18, 2025 - Latest Welcoming News
Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for New Americans, Immigrants, and Refugees in West Michigan.
WELCOME PLAN UPDATES
Community Collaboration Excellence Award
We were honored to receive the Community Collaboration Excellence Award from the Coalition of African Organizations in West Michigan and African Collaborative Network, presented at last week’s African Visioning Party and accepted on behalf of the Welcome Plan by our Coordinator Hollin De La Cruz. We also want to recognize our intern, Judith Lusamba, who shared an update on our work at the event—thank you for representing our team so thoughtfully.
Recognition from our New American community makes this especially meaningful and affirms our shared commitment to working together across West Michigan to build access, opportunity, and belonging—so that everyone is welcomed, supported, and able to thrive. We remain grounded in humility, curiosity, and a genuine eagerness to learn from local leaders and community partners as we continue this work together.
A Glimpse of Africa: Year-End Food Distribution
Last Sunday, members of the West Michigan Welcome Plan team were grateful to lend a hand at A Glimpse of Africa's last food distribution of the year.
We’re thankful to support an event that helps those in need in our community—providing fresh fruits, vegetables, turkeys, treats for the kids, winter coats, and even a Halal chicken option to help ensure more families felt included and cared for.
Big appreciation to A Glimpse of Africa and all the volunteers who made it happen.
Partner Update | Immigrant Connection at City Life Church
For the past ten years, Immigrant Connection at City Life Church has served immigrants and refugees across West Michigan by providing trustworthy, affordable, and accessible immigration legal services—supporting thousands of families and opening nearly 10,000 immigration cases. As the organization marks this milestone and begins a new chapter, we are sharing an important update: Immigrant Connection at City Life Church will now operate under the name Monarch Immigration Legal Services to clearly distinguish the office from other organizations with similar names.
Please note that this is a name change only. The organization’s mission, services, address, staff, and legal operations remain unchanged, and they will continue delivering high-quality immigration legal services with the same dedication and care. In addition, Monarch Immigration Legal Services will be launching English Café classes and Citizenship preparation classes in the new year; more information and materials to share with clients and networks will follow. Partners with questions or requests for updated materials are encouraged to reach out directly.
Webinar Opportunity | Time Limited Food Assistance (TLFA) Updates (Michigan SNAP)
Webinar Opportunity | Time Limited Food Assistance (TLFA) Updates for Michigan SNAP
Thursday, December 18 | 2:00 PM (ET) | Virtual (Zoom)Join the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM), with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, for a webinar covering timely Michigan-focused updates on SNAP related to the implementation of Time Limited Food Assistance (work requirements). The session will include an overview of key changes, time for Q&A, and ways partners can support outreach so individuals and families understand the updates and how to maintain benefits. View TLFA guidelines by clicking on the image.
Submit Newsletter Content!
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. Please use the form below to request inclusion in our newsletter, website, or social media.
Submit a Newsletter Resource Email requests will no longer be accepted. Submission does not guarantee inclusion rather priority goes to content most relevant to immigrant communities.
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.
4 Updates Since December 3
Local Resources
Partner Opportunity | Monarch Immigration Legal Services — New Winter Classes
FREE 12-Week Citizenship Preparation Class (In-Person) click on image for flyers
Monarch is offering a free, 12-week citizenship prep course with weekly classes at 574 Division Ave S, Suite 2A, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Class options: Saturdays 9 a.m. – 10:30am; Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 10:30am; Thursdays 5:30 p.m.–7 p.m.Special offer: The first 40 participants who complete the course will have their legal service fees waived when filing their citizenship application at Monarch.
Registration closes Jan. 12. Register here: https://forms.gle/8cBoLmqQ9LAnq2EEA
English Conversation Café (In-Person)
A relaxed, supportive space to practice conversational English, meet new people, and strengthen communication skills at 574 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Schedule: Tuesdays 10:30–11:30 a.m.; Thursdays 4:30 p.m.–5:30pm (beginning Jan. 20).
No registration required — participants can simply attend.More info: https://monarchimmigration.org
Business Spotlight: Himalayan Café & Desserts
Himalayan Café & Desserts, a Nepali immigrant-owned small business, recently celebrated its grand opening at 2950 28th St SE, Kentwood, MI 49512. The cozy café offers a welcoming space for neighbors to gather over fresh coffee, traditional Nepali momo, and a variety of house-made desserts and pastries, bringing their flavors to your meetings, celebrations, and special events.
We’re excited to celebrate this new addition to our local business community and encourage you to stop by, support an immigrant-owned enterprise, and enjoy a warm drink or snack the next time you’re in the area.
Need Health Insurance? CHDIS Navigators Can Help
Marketplace Open Enrollment runs from November 1, 2025 to January 15, 2026. CHDIS Navigators offer free, confidential assistance to help individuals and families enroll in Marketplace and Medicaid health coverage.
Navigators can support you with:
- Enrolling in quality healthcare plans
- Completing healthcare and social program applications
- Understanding your coverage options and asking insurance questions
Language support is available in Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Hindi, Hmong, Kinyarwanda, French, Swahili, and more to ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate help. Please bring your ID, family information, and income documents to your appointment.
For navigator contact information and specific languages, please refer to the flyer above.
📄 Learn more: www.emich.edu/chdis | 📧 CH...@emich.edu | ☎️ 734.487.4420
Community Engagement
Health Net of West Michigan| Care Model Training Series
(Cohort-Based + CEU's (Continuing Education Units)
Mon & Wed, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Jan 12, Jan 14, Jan 26, Jan 28) | Health Net of West Michigan (1550 Leonard St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505)
(Click on image to view Flyer with full details + registration info.)
Cost: $450 per person (registration is for the full cohort series).
Health Net of West Michigan is offering an interactive, instructor-led training series to build core skills for navigators and other frontline health/social service professionals—covering topics like empowerment skills, professional boundaries, health equity, working with interpreters, action planning, strengths-based documentation, and community resource navigation. CEUs available: 13 for social workers and 16 for community health workers.
Questions: Christina Pavlak, (616) 818-8341.
Ukrainian Society of Michigan|Ukrainian Holiday Craft Workshop — “Pavuk” Ornament
Saturday December 20 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. (Drop-in) Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525Come learn the craft of the pavuk, a traditional Ukrainian straw ornament made into intricate geometric shapes. No experience necessary — just bring curiosity and holiday spirit. All ages welcome. There will be Ukraine-themed coloring pages as well.
Union in Action for Haiti | Annual Winter Fundraiser
December 27 | 5:00 PM | 906 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Join Union in Action for Haiti’s Winter Raffle for a chance to win big while supporting their mission. Your participation isn’t just a shot at great prizes—it directly helps advance efforts that make a meaningful impact in the community and support education in Haiti. 🎟️✨
Thank you for your support—every contribution, big or small, makes a real difference. The flyer is attached in the image; please feel free to share it with your networks.
Grant Opportunities
Funding Opportunity | Michigan Health Endowment Foundation – 2026 Capacity Building Initiative (Cycle 1)
Deadlines: Concept Paper due Dec. 19, 2025 (5 PM ET) | Full Proposal due Feb. 17, 2026 (5 PM ET) | Grants announced April 2026The Michigan Health Endowment Foundation is now accepting proposals for its 2026 Capacity Building Initiative (Cycle 1), offering grants up to $300,000 to help health-focused, community-based nonprofits strengthen core organizational functions and/or build sustainable collaboration to address health issues.
Concept papers are required and must be submitted through the foundation’s grants portal by December 19 at 5 PM (ET). Competitive concepts will receive an invitation to submit a full proposal, due February 17 at 5 PM (ET).
Job Opportunities
K-12 Site Coordinator (Part-Time) – Refugee Education Center (REC)
The Refugee Education Center is hiring a K-12 Site Coordinator to support refugee students through Project Faulu & BRIDGES—serving as the site contact for volunteers, students, and families, coordinating participation, and helping create a safe, welcoming out-of-school learning environment.
This is a part-time (16–20 hrs/week) role paying $17.50–$20.00/hour, with work that is 90% on-site / 10% remote. After-school/evening availability is required during the school year (September–May), and the role includes required pre-employment screening due to regular contact with children.
Ideal candidates bring experience in youth/program coordination and working across diverse communities (refugee experience a plus), along with strong organization, communication, and a commitment to REC’s values.
Apply through the job posting on Indeed, or email a resume + cover letter to car...@refugeeeducationcenter.org. (refugeeeducationcenter.org)
Board Members – African Collaborative Network (ACN)
The African Collaborative Network (ACN) is seeking volunteer Board Members to help advance its mission of uplifting African immigrants and refugees in Michigan through leadership development, economic mobility, and cross-cultural advocacy. Board members attend quarterly meetings (virtual or in-person), serve on at least one committee, and help with strategy, fundraising, and partnership building.
Ideal candidates care deeply about immigrant justice and community empowerment, bring professional or lived experience (e.g., nonprofit work, finance, law, marketing, public health, education, or small business), and reflect the diversity of African nations, languages, and experiences.
To apply or nominate someone: Email in...@africancollaborativenetwork.com with a brief statement of interest and a résumé or LinkedIn profile.
Executive Director & Staff Attorney / DOJ-Accredited Representative – Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates (LIA)
Full-Time | West Michigan (Lakeshore & Holland)
Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates (LIA) is growing its leadership and legal team to continue advancing immigrant justice across West Michigan.
Executive Director
Full-Time | Salary DOE | Start Date: Open until filled (applications requested by Dec 15, 2025)LIA seeks a mission-driven Executive Director to lead strategy, fundraising, and operations while partnering with the Board to guide vision and governance. The Executive Director stewards finances and compliance, mentors a collaborative staff, and represents LIA with donors, partners, and media. This role oversees development (grants, major gifts, and contracts), ensures program quality and impact, and strengthens community engagement and advocacy across the region.
👉 More Information Here: Staff Attorney Job Description (PDF)
Staff Attorney / DOJ-Accredited Representative
Full-Time (36–40 hrs/week) | $50,000 DOJ / $65,000+ Staff Attorney | Start Date: August 2025 | Holland, MIThe Staff Attorney or DOJ-Accredited Representative will provide high-quality immigration legal representation before USCIS, the U.S. Department of State, and potentially EOIR. This position serves immigrant and refugee community members throughout West Michigan.
Responsibilities include managing a diverse caseload of family-based and humanitarian immigration matters, preparing petitions and applications, conducting consultations, and collaborating on community education and outreach efforts. The position may include limited supervision of volunteers and interns, participation in regional coalitions, and occasional travel for mobile clinics and presentations.
LIA offers a family-friendly, flexible work environment with benefits including medical/dental coverage, IRA matching, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.
👉 More Information Here: LIA Staff Attorney / DOJ Representative (PDF)
🌐 Learn more: Light House Immigrant Advocates
Women’s Concentric Leaders – Treetops Collective
Treetops Collective is now recruiting participants for the next cohort of Women’s Concentric Leaders, a 15-month leadership development program empowering immigrant and refugee women to connect, grow, and lead in West Michigan.
This opportunity begins with a three-month orientation in February 2026, followed by a year of hands-on leadership training and community engagement. Participants work together to build confidence, strengthen networks, and drive positive change in their neighborhoods.
Applicants should be proficient in English and one or more of the following languages: Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Dari, Pashto, Tigrinya, Amharic, Cuban or Venezuelan Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Ukrainian, Rohingya, Burmese, or Somali.
Those interested can apply online at this link or contact Taryn Hoeksema at 616-448-6952 for more information.
People & Learning Manager
Part-Time | 30 hrs/week | $23–$25/hour | Start Date: Open until filledThe People & Learning Manager supports organizational operations across programs and data by providing human resources, training, and learning support for staff, concentric leaders, and interns. This role stewards the full hiring and onboarding experience, coordinates staff development and performance reviews, and serves as the main point of contact for HR processes, benefits, and technology training (Google Suite, Slack, Asana, databases, etc.).
In addition, the People & Learning Manager serves as the data lead for Treetops programs—overseeing the “Remember” database, supporting data collection and reporting across programs, and partnering with program staff to use data for decision making, grant reporting, and improving participant experience.
👉 More Information Here: People & Learning Manager (PDF)
Social Enterprise Manager
Full-Time | 35–40 hrs/week | $50,000 salary or $24/hour | Mostly On-SiteThe Social Enterprise Manager leads day-to-day operations and growth of Treetops’ social enterprise, which curates and sells immigrant- and refugee-made goods and services. This role manages retail shop operations and online sales (including Shopify), inventory and production processes, customer service, and coordination of volunteers and market events.
The position also develops and executes sales strategies (online, wholesale, and pop-up partnerships), grows revenue through campaigns and product launches, and builds relationships with local businesses, influencers, and community partners. The Social Enterprise Manager will help identify and support immigrant and refugee makers, explore workforce development opportunities, and potentially lead the Teen Social Enterprise Internship Program.
👉 More Information Here: Social Enterprise Manager (PDF)
Treetops Collective offers vacation/paid time off, a Rest & Renewal Policy, floating holidays, professional mentorship and coaching, opportunities for professional development, and additional employee benefits (including a retirement plan with match for the Social Enterprise Manager role).
🌐 Learn more: Treetops Collective
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.
Funding Opportunities
December
20 | Ukrainian Society of Michigan @ Frederik Meijer Gardens
27 | Union in Action for Haiti Winter Fundraiser
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.
Take this Survey 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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West Michigan Welcome Plan
300 Monroe Ave. SW
Grand Rapids MI 49503
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