Immigrant Heritage Month – Why it Means So Much in Michigan
by Meg Derrer, Executive Director, Refugee Education Center
Unless you’re Native American, you likely have an immigrant story attached to your life here in the United States. Many of us know these stories and take pride in sharing them. It could be a tale passed down through the generations or information discovered while researching an ancestor. For others, it might involve a family heirloom, cooking a cherished family recipe, or practicing and celebrating a certain tradition. All hold deep importance in our lives.
Since becoming a state, Michigan has welcomed a diversity of immigrants. In fact, this has shaped our resilient, compassionate, entrepreneurial, and community-oriented spirit. What is less known is that our state’s role as a landing spot for newcomers has never waned. A variety of immigrants are welcomed here daily, making Michigan the fifth-largest refugee resettlement state in the nation.
Michigan offers refuge to individuals and families from around the globe who are fleeing persecution in their native country and later resettle here with the assistance of local agencies and the federal government. And if you take a closer look at the statistics, you’ll see that more refugees resettle in West Michigan than any other region in our state. The influx of newcomers to this area is something we celebrate at the Refugee Education Center, especially during this National Immigrant Heritage Month.
While Michigan's natural and cultural diversity makes our state a remarkable place to call home, the immigrant-friendly infrastructure and municipal collaboration put us near the top of the resettlement list.
The Office of Global Michigan, which is a part of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, was first established in 2014 to ensure new Michigan immigrants and refugees have the resources they need to thrive. This agency partners with local community organizations to do its work with the support of volunteers and funding from the government, private donors, and philanthropic groups.
The Kent County Welcome Plan, a government-driven, grassroots collaboration, was also established in West Michigan. The committee members come from various sectors: business, education, healthcare, immigrant and refugee, philanthropy, legal, and municipal government. The group, whose members often have lived experiences as immigrants themselves, works together to identify the most pressing needs that must be met to make the resettlement process more successful, ensuring representation and cross-sector collaboration in its working groups.
At the Refugee Education Center, our staff and volunteers are committed to providing academic support to refugee children as they resettle in West Michigan.
We serve students from birth to 24 years, helping them through their educational journey. Our Refugee Navigators also assist parents and other relatives of the students in integrating into the educational and cultural systems in their respective communities. It’s a constant challenge for all involved.
For comparison, imagine moving to a foreign country with your school-age children, with little or no money in your pocket, no place to live, and no other family living nearby. It would be a daunting transition for anyone. That’s why we and other local agencies remain committed to supporting the refugees coming to this region, giving all an opportunity to thrive.
While a strong and welcoming foundation exists for incoming refugees in Michigan, we still have work to do.
Just like many minority populations in the U.S., refugees and new citizens face inequities and disparities. Their path to the U.S. is often filled with frustration, discrimination, pain, and anguish – yet when they arrive here, they are often confronted with new difficulties no one should have to encounter.
What can you do to drive change during National Immigrant Heritage Month?
Celebrate newcomers and the beauty their culture brings to our state
Be gracious and humble as you help them integrate into a new community
Support the addition of multi-lingual services in your area
Speak out against inequities in existing social systems and municipal services
Volunteer with local refugee and immigrant agencies and provide financial contributions to those agencies
Hire individuals with immigrant and refugee backgrounds*
Welcoming refugees and other immigrants to our region comes with many benefits.
It makes us a more diverse and appealing destination. It grows our population, increases tax revenues for local municipalities, creates a potential stream of new workers for employers, and gives us greater political standing in the eyes of our federal government. Most of all, though, it reflects the spirit of who we are – a welcoming and compassionate community committed to the flourishing of all who call Michigan home.
*If you need support navigating the recruitment and retention of immigrant employees, contract with organizations like Refugee Education Center and others who can assist your team with culture competency training.