Refugee Education Center

BRIDGES is designed for newly resettled refugee children who have yet to enter a US classroom. We provide a safe and welcoming environment for kids to prepare for their K-12 education and relieve anxiety prior to entering a classroom. The program exposes kids to new topics, themes, and culture they will encounter in their new school. Our goal is that each participating student is prepared to start school on the right foot! If you're a college student interested in a meaningful summer internship with the Refugee Education Center's BRIDGES program, please reach out to anna@refugeeeducationcenter.org for more information or apply directly on our website at https://lnkd.in/eb47mGM8. The Refugee Education Center's summer programming kicks off June 10 and ends August 8 (off on June 19 and the week of July 4). Hours are Monday-Thursday (as available two days a week), 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. --- #volunteer #volunteerwithus #volunteerwork #refugeesupport #refugeeswestmichigan #refugees #bettertogether #fullparticipation #refugeeeducation #refugeechildreneducation #volunteerservice #volunteering

The Refugee Education Center is hiring a part-time Administrative Coordinator! The Administrative Coordinator is responsible for organizing and coordinating office operations and procedures to ensure organizational effectiveness and efficiency. The Administrative Coordinator will interact and develop relationships with staff, community partners, parents, volunteers, and other community early childhood program peers. Learn more about the position and apply at www.refugeeGR.org/careers. --- #refugees #refugeesupport #refugeechildreneducation #refugeeswestmichigan #refugeeeducationstaff #careersearch #careers #jobsearch #hiring #hiringgrandrapids #hiringjobs #hiring2024

SUMMER BRIDGES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! BRIDGES is designed for newly resettled refugee children who have yet to enter a US classroom. We provide a safe and welcoming environment for kids to prepare for their K-12 education and relieve anxiety prior to entering a classroom. The program exposes kids to new topics, themes, and culture they will encounter in their new school. Our goal is that each participating student is prepared to start school on the right foot! The Refugee Education Center's summer programming kicks off June 10 and ends August 8 (off on June 19 and the week of July 4). Hours are Monday-Thursday (as available two days a week), 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. Contact anna@refugeeeducationcenter.org for more information, or apply directly on our website at https://lnkd.in/eb47mGM8. --- #volunteer #volunteerwithus #volunteerwork #refugeesupport #refugeeswestmichigan #refugees #bettertogether #fullparticipation #refugeeeducation

Join the Refugee Education Center team! We are seeking a BRIDGES Academic Coordinator for the summer. BRIDGES is designed for newly resettled refugee children who have yet to enter a US classroom. We provide a safe and welcoming environment for kids to prepare for their K-12 education and relieve anxiety before entering a classroom. The program exposes kids to new topics, themes, and culture they will encounter in their new school. Our goal is that each participating student is prepared to start school on the right foot! Learn more and apply at www.refugeeGR.org/careers. #hiringnow #Hiring #refugeeeducation #refugeechildreneducation #jobs #jobalert2024 #refugeeswestmichigan #bettertogether #fullparticipation #refugeeeducationcenter #CareerOpportunity #career #CareerOpportunities #jobopening #jobseekers

SUMMER BRIDGES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! BRIDGES is designed for newly resettled refugee children who have yet to enter a US classroom. We provide a safe and welcoming environment for kids to prepare for their K-12 education and relieve anxiety before entering a classroom. The program exposes kids to new topics, themes, and culture they will encounter in their new school. Our goal is that each participating student is prepared to start school on the right foot! If you're interested in serving as a classroom support volunteer for our summer BRIDGES program, please reach out to anna@refugeeeducationcenter.org for more information or apply directly on our website at https://lnkd.in/eb47mGM8. If classroom support isn't quite right for you, we also need a lead teacher, drivers, interns, and outdoor activity aids for summer programming. The Refugee Education Center's summer programming kicks off June 10 and ends August 8 (off on June 19 and the week of July 4). Hours are Monday-Thursday (as available two days a week), 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. --- #volunteer #volunteerwithus #volunteerwork #refugeesupport #refugeeswestmichigan #refugees #bettertogether #fullparticipation #refugeeeducation #refugeechildreneducation #volunteerservice #volunteering

To round out Global Volunteer Month, we want to thank the volunteers from Corewell Health for working so hard on spring clean-up at the Refugee Education Center's offices. We are grateful for your time and energy! --- #thankyou #volunteerwork #bettertogether #volunteerservice #volunteer #volunteerwithus #volunteering #fullparticipation #celebratevolunteerism #refugeevolunteer #globalvolunteermonth2024 #refugeevoluteer #refugeeeducation #refugees #refugeesupport #refugeeswestmichigan #corewellhealth

The Refugee Education Center is thrilled to announce Tatum Hawkins as its new Philanthropy Director! In this key role, Tatum will spearhead the center’s fundraising efforts, forging meaningful partnerships and securing vital resources to support the organization's mission of empowering refugee children, their families, and the schools they attend in West Michigan. At the link, learn more about Tatum, her experience, and why the Refugee Education Center is so fortunate to have Tatum leading our philanthropy efforts! https://shorturl.at/coyOY #philanthropy #refugees #refugeesupport #refugeechildreneducation #refugeeswestmichigan #bettertogether #fullparticipation #refugeeeducationcenter

𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵! Our volunteers are essential to the Refugee Education Center's mission of supporting refugees in their journey to becoming fully participating members of the West Michigan community. We have such gratitude for all our volunteers who tirelessly contribute to our refugee children and their families! This week, meet Skip Franklin, who has generously given his time and energy to the Refugee Education Center since 2016! --- "Initially, I responded to a request for IT help in the Refugee Education Center offices, but it wasn't long until I learned about the after-school tutoring and summer programs. I was a little hesitant at first, having no background in education. But I quickly learned that - with the assistance of the Refugee Education Center program staff - anyone can be a great help to young students. Any amount of extra personal attention can be a huge benefit in helping students develop their English skills and learn to be more comfortable here in the US. Knowing that my involvement can give those students the boost they need to make the most of their education keeps me coming back. I’m now in my eighth year of volunteering to support refugees in West Michigan." - Skip Franklin --- #globalvolunteermonth2024 #celebratevolunteerism #refugeevoluteer #volunteer #BetterTogether #refugeeeducationcenter #refugee #refugeechildreneducation #fullparticipation #refugeesupport #refugeeeducation #refugeeswestmichigan #refugeeservices #thankyou

𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵! According to a joint report from the Census Bureau and AmeriCorps, formal volunteering in the US in recent years reached its lowest point in decades. In a time when bridging divides is more critical than ever, the Refugee Education Center relies on and is endlessly thankful for our volunteers! This week, we celebrate volunteer Anne Boersma! Anne selflessly gives her time and talents to the Refugee Education Center's after-school program, Project Faulu, and our summer BRIDGES program. --- "When I first started as a volunteer, it didn’t take long for me to realize that this was going to be a mutually beneficial relationship. Right away, I was learning and growing along with the students I encountered. They had so much to teach me about themselves and their experience, as well as about myself and my community. The students' resilience at the Refugee Education Center continually amazes and inspires me and keeps me returning as a volunteer. Despite the many challenges they face as refugees, they grow, learn, and flourish in so many ways. Through their various challenges and successes, I've learned from them what it means to persevere and thrive. I've also seen acts of kindness and support among the children that are humbling and heart-warming. In addition, spending time with other volunteers and staff at the Refugee Education Center has been a rewarding and motivating experience. I feel fortunate to be part of a wide group of individuals who are committed to the common goal of helping refugee children and their families. Everyone brings something unique to the table to create an enriching environment for all.” - Anne Boersma --- #globalvolunteermonth2024 #celebratevolunteerism #refugeevoluteer #volunteer #BetterTogether #refugeeeducationcenter #refugee #refugeechildreneducation #fullparticipation #refugeesupport #refugeeeducation #refugeeswestmichigan #refugeeservices #thankyou

𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵! The Refugee Education Center is celebrating the power of service and the ripple effect collective action creates in our community and around the globe. This week, meet Ilana Chamelly. In addition to serving as manager at Martha's Catering in Grand Rapids, Ilana is one of our many Project Faulu volunteers. --- “I have volunteered with the Refugee Education Center since January of this year in the Project Faulu program. Faulu means success in Swahili, which is the core driver of what we do as volunteers in this program. Our goal in working with refugee students is to help them integrate successfully into US culture by supporting them in reading and writing development and through cultural support. We do accomplish this with writing activities and by playing games. Project Faulu encourages children to embrace and share their culture and speak their native languages, while also learning and embracing how to be confident in who they are as they grow within US society. Working with the children in Project Faulu brings me so much joy each week. I often leave with a funny story or a heartwarming moment that I carry home with me; from driving two children home and having them sing and dance to Munda in the back seat, to another child telling jokes and making silly faces to distract us from work, to a group of three friends coming up with a skit taking place in the Mario video game, and naming me "Madam Samaka," which translates to "Madam Fish" (Ms. Fish, I was a Mermaid). These children straddle multiple cultures and identities. With that, they bring so much beauty and excitement into this program. My role as a volunteer is to follow the Refugee Education Center programming designed to give these children a strong foundation to succeed as they grow in the United States. I am honored to be able to work with these children and the Refugee Education Center in the incredible Project Faulu program.” - Ilana --- #globalvolunteermonth2024 #celebratevolunteerism #refugeevoluteer #volunteer #BetterTogether #refugeeeducationcenter #refugee #refugeechildreneducation #fullparticipation #refugeesupport #refugeeeducation #refugeeswestmichigan #refugeeservices #marthasvinyard #marthascatering