The Refugee Education Center

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The Refugee Education Center

The Refugee Education Center supports refugees in their journey to become fully participating members of the community.

Read our latest Annual Report: https://refugeeeducationcenter.org/report

08/20/2026

Our BRIDGES students have had opportunities to learn about cultures and traditions from around the world and to celebrate the many cultures represented in our own community.

Recently, Ms. Amina joined us to introduce students to the Somali tradition of Buraanbur, sharing its meaning and cultural significance. Students had the opportunity to listen, learn, and experience a tradition that connects generations and celebrates Somali culture.

At the Refugee Education Center, we believe learning goes beyond the classroom. Creating opportunities for students to share and explore culture helps build understanding and a stronger sense of community.

Thank you, Ms. Amina, for sharing your culture and helping our students learn something new!

08/18/2026

This summer, BRIDGES students participated in weekly yoga sessions hosted by Asana With Rianna, giving them the opportunity to try something new while learning another way to stay active and healthy.

Yoga encouraged students to slow down, move their bodies, practice mindfulness, and build healthy habits they can carry with them beyond the summer. Staying healthy and taking care of ourselves helps students feel their best and bring their best selves to the classroom when the new school year begins.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to make wellness and movement part of the BRIDGES experience!

08/13/2026

Please join us as we commemorate this milestone at our annual From Arriving to Thriving luncheon, a special event celebrating two decades of impact while looking ahead to the future.

During this inspiring afternoon, guests will gain a deeper understanding of the refugee journey and discover how investing in refugee children and their families creates stronger schools, healthier families, and a more thriving West Michigan for us all.

Together, we will honor the past 20 years, celebrate the resilience and contributions of our refugee neighbors, and share our vision for the future as we continue building a community where every child and every family has the opportunity to thrive.

08/04/2026

We're excited to announce a special partnership with Founders Brewing Co. in celebration of the Refugee Education Center's 20th Anniversary!

Now through September, every pint of Green Zebra Watermelon Gose-Style Ale purchased at Founders helps make a difference. As Founders' Social Impact Tap, $1 from every pint sold will be donated to the Refugee Education Center to support refugee children and families across West Michigan.

In addition to this incredible initiative, Founders is making a $5,000 gift to support our mission and will host a special fundraising celebration on September 19, featuring culturally diverse food, music, and community.

For 20 years, we've had the privilege of walking alongside refugee children and families in West Michigan. We're grateful to Founders Brewing for investing in our mission and helping raise awareness that when refugee families thrive, our entire community thrives.

Stop by Founders this summer, enjoy a Green Zebra, and raise a glass to making a difference!

08/03/2026

The Boston Square Early Learning Center is looking for our next Assistant Director of Teaching & Learning to join our growing team!

In this leadership role, you'll help shape a high-quality early learning experience by supporting curriculum implementation, coaching and developing teachers, and ensuring excellence in classroom instruction. Working alongside our Center Director and Assistant Director of Family & Community Engagement, you'll foster a culturally responsive, multilingual learning environment where children ages 0–5 can learn, grow, and thrive.

If you're a collaborative leader who believes every child deserves a strong start and every educator deserves the support to succeed, we'd love to hear from you!

Learn more about this opportunity at: https://bsq-elc.org/employment/

07/28/2026

This summer, refugee high school students are strengthening their English skills through our Teen Connect program!

Teen Connect provides English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction in a welcoming and supportive environment where students can build their English proficiency, increase confidence, and strengthen the communication skills they need to succeed in school, prepare for future careers, and navigate everyday life.

Language is more than words—it creates opportunities and builds connections.

We're proud to walk alongside these incredible students as they continue their educational journey and grateful to the supporters who make programs like Teen Connect possible.

07/27/2026

According to the Kent County America After 3PM 2025 study, families identified cost as one of the greatest barriers to accessing after-school and summer programs. At the Refugee Education Center, we're committed to ensuring that cost is never a barrier for the refugee children and families we serve.

Every student participates in our afterschool and summer programs at no cost to their family. This means parents and caregivers can focus their time and financial resources on building stability for their children while knowing they are in a safe, welcoming environment where they are learning, building friendships, and preparing for future success.

When you support the Refugee Education Center, you're doing more than funding a program—you are investing in educational opportunities that help refugee students thrive and giving families the support they need to build strong, stable futures. https://refugeeeducationcenter.org/bettertogether

07/23/2026

Our BRIDGES students recently had an opportunity to meet some very special furry friends from Paws With A Cause ®!

For many of our newcomer students, interacting with dogs is a completely new experience. This special visit provided a safe, supportive environment where students could meet the dogs, ask questions, and learn how to interact with them with confidence.

Students also discovered the important role that service and therapy dogs play as community helpers, supporting individuals with disabilities and providing comfort and companionship. It was a fun, educational experience that sparked curiosity and built confidence.

A heartfelt thank you to Koko, Penny, Paisley, and the Paws With A Cause team for helping our students learn and experience something new!

Address

1534 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Suite 100
Grand Rapids, MI
49507

Telephone

+16162479611

Website

http://www.refugeegr.org/

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