Grand Rapids is a good community with many organizations that may be able to support you! See below. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Employment and Workforce Training
Bethany Refugee Adult and Family Programs
(Employment services up to five years after arrival)
1050 36th St SE, Suite 400, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
616-224-7540 / egonzalez@bethany.org
Grand Rapids Community College Integrated Workforce Training Program
Adult education and literacy activities, training for specific occupations and career coaching.
143 Bostwick Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 234-2347 / leanngarrison@grcc.edu
English Classes
English classes are offered through Bethany Refugee Adult & Family Programs, Beckwith Adult Education, Wyoming Community Education, Literacy Center of West Michigan, GRCC, and many others. Bethany offers cultural orientation classes too.
Classes through Bethany held at Grand Rapids International Fellowship (GRIF)
(Must be enrolled in Bethany or Samaritas program)
3765 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
616-224-7540 / sbrinks@bethany.org
Food
If food is needed immediately, call 2-1-1 (or 1-800-887-1107) for the closest food pantry.
Food pantries list available at Access of West Michigan
616-774-2175 / http://accessofwestmichigan.org/
Salvation Army: Food Pantry
1215 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-459-9468
Mel Trotter Ministries: Food Pantry
225 Commerce SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616-588-8728
General Assistance / Case Management
Bethany Christian Services Post Resettlement Program (eligible up to five years after arrival)
1050 36th St SE, Ste 400, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
616-224-7540 / TSigns@bethany.org
Thrive Refugee Support Center
3334 Breton Road SE, Kentwood, MI 49512
616-421-2500 / thriveall87@gmail.com
Senior Neighbors (over age 60)
678 Front Ave NW, Suite 205 Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616233-0294 / rstenfors@seniorneighbors.org
Samaritas: Intensive Case Management Program
(Limited eligibility up to five years after arrival)
207 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-356-1934 / ccava@samaritas.org
Housing
If there is a housing crisis, contact 2-1-1 (or 1-800-887-1107)
Salvation Army: Housing Assistance Program
1120 Monroe NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-454-5840
Health & Counseling Services
Healing Center & Counseling,
Bethany Refugee Adult and Family Programs
(Counseling & limited case management if eligible, no time limit)
1050 36th St SE, Suite 400, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
616-224-7540 / csjoblom@bethany.org
Samaritas: Survivors of Torture
(Counseling, no time limit)
207 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-356-1934 / bdebl@samaritas.org
Cherry Street Health Services
(With or without insurance, low-cost medical, dental, vision, behavioral, & counseling services)
100 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-965-8308 / 616-965-8200
Leonard Street Counseling Center (Cherry Health)
(Mental health counseling, substance use treatment, psychiatric services, health promotion)
1400 Leonard St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 954-1991
Exalta Health
(If NO insurance, free or low-cost medical, dental, vision, behavioral, counseling, diabetes services)
15 Andre St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616-475-8446 / http://www.exaltalhealth.org/
Oasis of Hope Center
(If NO insurance, free or low-cost medical services, counseling, diabetes & life skills education)
522 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616-451-8868 / info@ohcgr.org; http://ohcgr.org/
Arbor Circle
(Mental health counseling, substance use treatment, family development)
1115 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 456-6571 / www.arborcircle.org
Immigration Assistance
Immigration Legal Services, Diocese of Grand Rapids
213 Sheldon Blvd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-551-4746 / www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org/
Justice for Our Neighbors
227 Fulton St E, Suite 3101 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-301-7461 / jfon_assist@jfonwestmichigan.org
City Life Church Immigration Connection
574 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-855-0563 / office@citylifeonline.net
Grand Rapids Community College Citizenship Classes
616-234-3172 or 616-454-4874 / grcc.edu/citizenshipclasses
Immunizations & (Initial) Health Screening
Kent County Health Department
700 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-632-7100 / 1-888-515-1300
IOM Travel Loan
Information about refugee travel loans through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) if resettled through Bethany Christian Services:
212-870-3361 / travelloans@cwsglobal.org
Payments should be made to Church World Service
and mailed to:
Church World Service – IOM Loan
475 Riverside Dr. Suite 700
New York, NY 10115
Public Benefits- Applying for Medicaid, Food and Cash Assistance:
Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)
121 Franklin St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616-248-1000 / www.michigan.gov/mibridges
School Enrollment & Summer Program
Refugee Education Center
(eligible up to three years after arrival)
2130 Enterprise St SE, Kentwood, MI 49508
616-247-9611 / info@refugeeeducationcenter.org
Secretary of State’s Office: Applying for Michigan ID or Driver’s License
Any Michigan Secretary of State’s Office can assist with Michigan IDs or driver’s licenses. The most common locations are:
Roger’s Plaza
1506 Rogers Plaza SW, Wyoming, MI 49509
888-767-6424 / 517-322-1166
Shops at CenterPoint
3601 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
888-767-6424 / 517-322-1166
Social Security: Applying for Social Security Number or Disability Income
Social Security Administration
3045 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
877-319-5710
Women's Health Be a Rose, Inc. Women's health workshops, provision of feminine hygiene products and education on their proper use and disposal, and culturally-sensitive workshops on personal hygiene expectations in American workplace. See website for topic calendar.
Classes: 15 Andre St. SE. Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Mailing address: 6026 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. #129 Grand Rapids, MI 49508 616-990-3353 / www.bearose.org / info@bearose.org