Page 15 - LRCC July 2025 Focus

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Refugees are distinct among migrants in that they are the local economy, according to Melissa Nay, director
fleeing persecution in their home country for reasons of membership and community engagement for
including race, religion, and political opinions. Their Choose Lansing.
safety is at risk.
“When people travel, their top things that they are
In 2024, Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton looking for are, first off, where they’re going to stay.
Counties served 1,182 refugees, including helping 143 That’s a big one. But then they’re deciding where
find local employment. Since 1975, the Catholic agency they’re going to eat, where they’re going to shop, and
estimates it has helped more than 17,000 refugees from what they’re going to do,” Nay said. “And they want to
60 countries get a fresh start in Lansing. try something that’s local to that area versus another
chain restaurant.”
There’s an economic benefit to welcoming new people
to the community. According to state labor data, more Lansing Shuffle along Lansing’s riverfront is a one-stop
than half of Michigan’s immigrant population is of shop for international cuisines described as “elevated
working age (64.4 percent) versus the non-immigrant local street food.” Takitos AF offers taquitos, aguas
population (50.8 percent). Catholic Charities of Ingham, frescas, and churros. Yeti Kitchen serves Himalayan
Eaton, and Clinton Counties connects refugees with dishes like momos, sesame gobi, and butter chicken. Kin
more than 20 local employers, while many refugees go Thai makes Southeast Asian noodles, rice, and milk teas.
on to start their own businesses. Beruit Kitchen offers Mediterranean fare, from samosas
to gyro sandwiches. And if someone in your group
Joe Garcia, CEO of Catholic Charities of Ingham, prefers an American burger and fries, the food hall also
Eaton, and Clinton Counties, said refugee-run includes Brown Dog at the Shuffle.
restaurants like Siraj and nearby Noosh Afghan Cuisine
are model examples of the benefits of the refugee “That place alone is a huge destination for a lot of people
services program. to go because they can
try all these different
“We’re very proud of international foods in
their effort and of one place,” Nay said.
their braveness to
make the journey Elsewhere in the Lansing
and to maximize the “[Lansing Shuffle] region, Nay encourages
opportunity that they is a huge destination visitors to try out mid-
were given, and with Michigan’s only Peruvian
great evidence every day for a lot of people restaurant, Tantay
with the success of their to go because they Peruvian Cuisine in
restaurant operations,” Okemos, and the newly
Garcia said. can try all these opened Jollof Afro-
Caribbean Lounge in
LOCAL APPEAL different international downtown Lansing.
foods in one place.”
The restaurant scene Nay has her own local
is an important Choose Lansing director of favorites for international
component in membership and community flavors, including Pablo’s
attracting visitors to engagement Melissa Nay Mexican Restaurant
the Lansing region and and Everyday Authentic
ultimately bolstering Chinese Cuisine.

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