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Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for New Americans, Immigrants, and Refugees in West Michigan.
WELCOME PLAN UPDATES
The WMWPC celebrates its 1st Year Anniversary !
This week marks the first year of our collaborative work in West Michigan, we want to thank all of you that make this work possible and that we strive to continue for many more years to come.
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Welcome Plan Annual Report
Welcome Plan partners were asked to provide updates and feedback about their work and experiences working to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment for New American, Immigrant, and Refugee integration and prosperity. This report outlines the key findings of the survey conducted by the Welcome Plan Data and Metrics Workgroup along with highlights of our collaborative work in our first year.
Click on the image for our 2023 Report!
Arabic, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese translations are available here
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WMWPC Resource Page
Our Welcome Plan Resource Page is still under construction, and we will continue to add resources as you share them with us. We will really appreciate your feedback and contributions of resources for our Refugee, Immigrant, and New American community in West Michigan. Click here to submit resources
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.
EDUCATION AND RESOURCES
Sponsorship Support Program Grants
The office of Global Michigan is asking our communities to come together and form welcoming groups for sponsoring newcomers from the following program models:
CHNV Uniting for Ukraine Welcome Corps
Are you interested in forming a sponsorship with one of these models?
Would you like a info session to learn more?
Click Here if you are interested in joining an information session
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Upcoming Grants From Office of Global Michigan
The Office of Global Michigan will be requesting grant proposals in the coming weeks. If you are interested in getting a head start for applying please click here for more information!
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Click on Image for Informational Flyer!
Newcomer Rental Subsidy Program
Affordable housing is a critical need for newly arriving refugees and for local community partners and sponsors who provide resettlement support. The subsidy program provides refugees and other newcomer population-eligible households with monthly rental assistance for up to 12 months to help families successfully integrate into communities, become self-sufficient and thrive.
Applications will soon be available in Arabic, Ukrainian, Dari, Pashto, Spanish and Kinyarwanda. We will give an update on these translations as soon they become available.
Contact LEO-RefugeeServices@michigan.gov for questions and support.
Click Here for more Information!
Apply Online Here
We are seeking to partner with Financial Institutions or Community Organizations that provide financial empowerment classes to connect recipients of the Newcomer Rental Subsidy Program with additional support. If you provide or are aware of this service, please fill out this form
NRS Info Sessions
For a better understanding of the NRS program and to address any questions you may have, the OGM is hosting 2 info sessions that will include:
- NRS Program overview
- Filling out an application demo
- Q&A
You can register for one or both Sessions
Sessions will not be recorded*
Info Session 1:
Date: Thursday, November 9th
Time: 11am – 12:30pm EST
Info Session 2:
Date: Monday, November 13th
Time: 2pm – 3:30pm EST
Session Links and Info
You can submit questions in advance to Carmen Bordea (bordeac@michigan.gov) and will have the opportunity to ask additional questions during the presentations.
Engagement Opportunities
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THE PLAYGROUNDgr
THE PLAYGROUNDgr has two events coming up and is seeking sponsorship! Please see info and sponsorship opportunities for Healing Through Play and Play Around the World. Contact Jacqueline for more information: jacqueline@theplaygroundgr.org
Healing through play Sponsorship
Play Around The World Sponsorship
THE PLAYGROUNDgr is a local nonprofit, who is committed to bridging the disparities of the racial, gender, culture, and socioeconomic gaps often found in caregivers/educational institutions and community based programing around the world of play. Play based support, therapy and awareness continues to be an evidenced tool that sharpens and supports, emotional health, mental health, trauma, grief and attachment. THE PLAYGROUNDgr is tasked with ensuring all members of our community have access to free or reduce rated play workshops, trainings, play based groups and play based therapy.
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AAIPA Engagement Opportunities
The American Arab Intellectual Property Association is Looking for sponsors and partners for the 2024 Second Annual Inventors Challange and The Arab and Islamic Cultural Festival. Checkout the following links for sponsorship package information!
Contact haitham.atiyah@aaipa.net for more information
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Citizenship Screening
Wednesday November 11th 10am-3pm
250 Commerce Ave SW Ste 100 Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan United and Immigrant Law and Justice Michigan (ILJM) will be providing free citizenship screenings and document collection for any legal permanent residents who are interested in applying.
It is recommend that folks bring the documents delineated in the flyer : green card, license or state ID, and 2022 taxes or proof of actively receiving Medicaid if applicable.
Please contact Stephanie (Legal Services Coordinator) for any questions at: snuata@miunited.org / 616-287-3852
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How to Use Ride Share Apps
Wednesday November 15th 9am-4pm
Tree Tops Collective – 906 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids MI
Treetops will be holding a walk-in workshop where participants learn how to setup and use Uber/Lyft in 10 minutes!
Language Support: Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Nepali, Farsi/dari, and Arabic.
Please contact latifa@treetopscollective.org for any questions.
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Companionship Workshop
Saturday, November 18 from 9:00am – 12:30pm
Victory Point Ministries 11530 Ransom St, Holland, MI 49424
Have you ever wondered how to sustainably support someone in distress without burning out?
Movement West Michigan & Doors of Hope are providing a Companionship workshop on how to support the individuals in your community who live with mental illness, insecure housing, or chemical dependency and move from a transactional exchange to relational engagement, enabling substantive change with Companionship. Register here by November 15th to claim your spot!
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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.
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