About UsThrive: A Refugee Support Program’s mission is to provide Grand Rapids area refugees with
a helping hand up by providing the services and opportunities needed to
physically, economically and emotionally thrive in the community as our
neighbors.
Our ESL Class meets on Sundays from 11:00 to 12:30pm- we have chosen this time to catch the people who are working 6 days a week to support their families! The class is currently Swahili speaking Congolese refugees. Volunteers can assist in teaching the class, helping with the refugee children while the parents are in class, or with transportation.
Our Cultural Broker Program works with refugees who have been in this country past the original three to six months that the resettlement agencies provide support. This program connects refugees to volunteers for additional social support and assistance in adjusting to life in the United States and all that entails! The volunteers given social work support to be more able to meet the needs of their refugee partners.
To refer a family to our Cultural Broker program, please fill out the following form and email it to us at refugeesupportgr@hotmail.com. Please note that we are attempting to work with families that would benefit from approximately a year of teaching/ support services, and that our main focus is NOT transportation to appointments.
Due to current caseloads, we are not accepting new clients referrals at this time. We do not keep a waiting list.
Please check back later.
STAFF
Jessica Gladden, LMSW, PhD
Executive Director
(616) 206-4477
refugeesupportgr@hotmail.com
Transportation Coordinator
David Apol
apoldavid@aol.com
ESL Coordinator
Dustin Maynes
dustinmaynes@yahoo.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rev. Marcia Elders
President, Board of Directors
Anne Foltice
Vice- President, Board of Directors
David Apol
Treasurer and Secretary, Board of Directors
Ted Jauw
Member, Board of Directors
Jessica Gladden
Member, Board of Directors
Greg Lawton
Member, Board of Directors
Dana Doll
Member, Board of Directors
Raquel Owens
Member, Board of Directors
Interns
Internship/ Work Study Students
Thrive: A Refugee Support Program
2013-2014
Rachael Mack
GVSU Student
LOCATION AND CONTACT INFORMATION
We are located in South Wyoming United Methodist Church. Please contact us to learn about how you can become involved!
Location:
South Wyoming United Methodist Church
2730 56th St. SW
Wyoming, MI 49418
Phone:
(616) 206-4477
Email:
refugeesupportgr@hotmail.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/thrive.refugeesupport.gr
As always, you can help by donating to Thrive now!
