Page 16 - Our Hands SPRING 2019

NEW AMERICANS

Samaritas is Leading the Way
to Increase Welcome for

Immigrants and Refugees

he city of Grand Rapids, in partnership with Samaritas, the
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and the West
TMichigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is one of 13
communities across America receiving a Gateways for Growth
award to increase welcome for immigrants and refugees.

As a result, Grand Rapids will receive technical assistance
and a matching grant of $12,500 from Gateways for Growth to
develop a strategic plan to integrate immigrants, foster economic Money Smart Program Helping
growth and promote inclusion for all residents in the city and the
surrounding area in Kent County. New Americans
As of 2017, approximately 52,000 immigrants lived in Kent County,
according to U.S. Census Bureau data. That is approximately This April marked the 5th annual Money Smart Week event in the
8 percent of the total population. The economic impact of New Americans program. Presenters are invited from community
immigrants and refugees in Kent County is vast and the groups, financial institutions and educational organizations, to help
community welcoming, creating an environment ripe for growth. consumers learn to better manage their personal finances.
The top five countries of origin for immigrants living in Kent
County are Mexico, Guatemala, Vietnam, Bosnia and Canada. During this event, participants gain a wealth of knowledge on topics
they have questions about or are entirely unfamiliar with. Each
The Gateways for Growth supports the creation of a Welcome individual is at a point in their resettlement where they are able to
Plan Task Force. The task force kicked off in January of this year. focus on budgeting, saving and learning about how to be fiscally
Matching funds have already been committed from Fifth Third wise. Speakers prepare informative presentations and hands on
Bank ($25,000), Grand Rapids Community Foundation ($10,000), activities so participants are able to fully engage in the lessons.
and more from other sources.
With support from our community partners, participants receive
“We are grateful to New American Economy, Welcoming America an abundance of educational materials and a monetary incentive
and our community partners for working with us to increase to start their personal savings. To learn more about supporting
access to success for immigrants and refugees,” Grand Rapids our refugees as they navigate American culture and save for their
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said. “Their success means our entire future, please contact Jessica Arvan at jarva@samaritas.org
community thrives.”

“We want to bring people together to make our city and our
county a more welcoming place for New Americans,” says Joel
Lautenbach, Samaritas Executive Director of Development and
G4G coordinator. “Together, we are going to discover the most
important strategies that we can work on with the immigrant
and refugee communities that keep families putting down roots
and see individuals participating at all levels of our society .”
85 Years of History
“Our research has revealed that immigrants are making
significant and impactful contributions to the West Michigan The first resettlement
economy,” said Rick Baker, President & CEO, Grand Rapids program was in 1949 for
Chamber of Commerce. “It is imperative that we have a
community where everyone can thrive both personally and people displaced by
professionally.” WWII in Europe. More
than 3500 were resettled
from those first efforts.

Samaritas' Joel Lautenbach presenting at
the Gateways for Growth release breakfast.

Welcome to America

"My name is Benedicte. I fled my home with my two children and only the clothes on our
backs. We went to Togo to seek shelter, not knowing what to do or what will happen to
us. After five long years of living in a refugee camp, taking one day at a time, my children
and I finally arrived in Detroit where Samaritas welcomed us at the airport. We found
ourselves in an apartment with appliances and things we did not know how to use."

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