The Refugee Education Center

10/10/2026

Meg had a chance to chat with The Shelley Irwin Show to discuss today’s event and also share another exciting announcement coming soon! Check out the full interview here: https://www.wgvunews.org/the-shelley-irwin-show/2026-10-08/refugee-education-center-celebrates-20-years-of-impact

10/10/2026

Our CEO, Meg Derrer, had a chance to talk to WOOD TV8 about our 20th Anniversary and the need for ongoing support and advocacy for refugee children and families!

Check out the full interview here: https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/refugee-education-center-celebrates-20-years/

The Refugee Education Center in Grand Rapids celebrated 20 years of impact at an event Friday: https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/refugee-education-center-celebrates-20-years/

10/08/2026

Less than 24 hours to go! Tomorrow, we’ll gather for the From Arriving to Thriving Luncheon to celebrate 20 years of the Refugee Education Center with the supporters, partners, and friends who have helped make this journey possible.

A very special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, LMCU, for making this celebration possible and for their commitment to the refugee children and families we serve.

We are also incredibly grateful to all of our event sponsors whose generous support helps us celebrate this milestone and sustain the programs and services families rely on as they find stability and belonging in this community.

10/08/2026

The Refugee Education Center joins the Boston Square community in honoring the life and legacy of Ms. Loretta Crawford.

Ms. Loretta was one of the first neighbors we met when we came to Boston Square, and she quickly stole our hearts. Her excitement and support for the Boston Square Early Learning Center helped shape our early vision for expanding into the neighborhood.

We are grateful to have known her, grateful for the love she shared with our community, and honored to carry her memory forward.

Thank you, Ms. Loretta, for welcoming us and believing in what was possible. You will be deeply missed.

09/28/2026

Only a few tickets left!

We’re getting so close to our From Arriving to Thriving Luncheon on October 9, and we’d really love to celebrate our 20th Anniversary with you!

Come spend an afternoon with us enjoying community, inspiring stories, and delicious food as we celebrate 20 years of supporting refugee children and families in West Michigan.

09/24/2026

09/24/2026

The final event in our series with the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan will be "Welcoming Together: Local Organizations, Global Impact," happening Thursday, Oct. 22 at Kentwood/Richard L. Root Branch.

Global stories don’t stay far away — they become part of life right here in West Michigan.

Dilli Gautam and Laura Hofman of the Office of Global Michigan and Meg Derrer of The Refugee Education Center will share their journeys that led them to supporting immigrants in West Michigan. Learn how global challenges translate into local action and how communities come together to create a culture of welcome.

Program begins at 6:30 PM. Join us for a reception beginning at 5:30 PM, in which we will have booths and tables with local area organizations sharing information on how they are supporting our immigrant and refugee neighbors.

09/21/2026

Looking for a high-quality, affordable early childhood experience for your child? The Boston Square Early Learning Center currently has openings in our 3- and 4-year-old classrooms!

Our center provides a nurturing, culturally responsive environment where children can learn, explore, and develop the skills they need for a strong start in school.

Currently enrolling: Children ages 3 and 4
Infant & toddler classrooms: Currently full with a waiting list

Learn more or inquire about enrollment: https://bsq-elc.org/enrollment/

09/17/2026

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