The Refugee Education Center announced today that it will expand services to Ottawa County. The Grand Rapids-based nonprofit will partner with the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District to offer their High School Transitions service to refugee students enrolled in the district’s high schools.
Through the service, Refugee Education Center service providers work to meet the needs and address the challenges specific to students of a refugee background and support each student’s transition to their future education or vocational endeavors. Service providers meet individually with students to assess needs and progress, create a post-high school plan, then develop a graduation plan with the primary goal of obtaining a traditional high school diploma. Assessments and ongoing support for students are often on-site at area high schools and are tailored for students aged 14-20. Participation from student’s parents or guardians is welcomed and encouraged.
Refugee Education Center has been operating this program in Kent County and has now expanded it to Ottawa.
“This program has been designed to support young members of the community better acclimate to their new surroundings and ultimately become full participating members of the West Michigan community,” said Matt Clark, advancement director at the Refugee Education Center. “We believe working with students in this manner will help them successfully transition into continuing education and ultimately, into the West Michigan job force.”
The Refugee Education Center has partnered with the Kent and Ottawa Area Intermediate School District to provide area teachers and school administrators with ongoing professional development opportunities that include best practices for addressing the unique needs of students of refugee background. The OAISD partnership paved the way for Refugee Education Center to expand the High School Transitions program to Ottawa County.
“As our schools continue to warmly welcome immigrant and refugee students with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, we are thankful for strong community partners that can provide services to assist us in building upon the unique assets and meeting the individualized needs of these students,” said Pam Schwallier, Ed.S., regional English learner consultant for Ottawa Area ISD, Muskegon Area ISD, and Allegan Area ESA. “The Refugee Education Center has provided invaluable support for many throughout Kent ISD, and we are looking forward to the expanded services available throughout Ottawa Area ISD as our refugee students and families make Ottawa county their home.”
The expanded programming is made possible through a three-year grant from the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area. Additional funding has also been provided through a one-year grant from the Perrigo Company Charitable Foundation.
“We are thankful that the Community’s Endowment allows us to support the Refugee Education Center’s expansion to Ottawa County,” said CFHZ president/CEO, Mike Goorhouse. “We look forward to seeing the unique ways this program will help young refugee students in our community thrive now and into the future.”
Clark pointed to the importance of this private-sector funding.
“We are honored to be entrusted by our funders including the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, to expand our operations into Ottawa County,” he said. “Since 2016, West Michigan has become home to a growing number of refugee students and families as other parts of the state have seen declining resettlement, and we have continually seen this community answer the call for support.”
School administrators, EL providers, school counselors, and/or parents and guardians who want to learn more about connecting their students to this service, may contact the Refugee Education Center at info@refugeegr.org or call 616-247-9611.
