LANSING, Mich -The “Office of Global Michigan,” under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, is actively seeking Michigan residents to volunteer to assist and housing migrants, aiming to integrate them into society.
Volunteers are expected to undertake various responsibilities such as airport pickups, securing housing, enrolling children in schools, and aiding adults in finding employment, with a commitment period of 90 days to cater to the migrants’ needs. The initiative, known as the Welcome Corps, is designed to support Michigan’s growing immigrant, refugee, and ethnic communities, providing expanded resettlement pathways to create a more inclusive environment in the state.
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Candidates for this program include migrants from Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, or Venezuelan backgrounds. An example cited involves a Boston resident who welcomed a Haitian family into her home, benefiting from their cooking skills and challenging prejudices against refugees by forming personal connections. The migrants involved in such programs are taking active steps towards integration, such as obtaining work permits, attending English classes, and aspiring to contribute economically, for instance, by opening a restaurant.
Michigan residents interested in supporting this cause are encouraged to contribute to the Children’s Foundation, which aids in managing the influx of migrants through the Refugee and Humanitarian Parolee Resettlement Fund. This fund assists with housing, legal services, interpretation, education, and support for children in the K-12 system, as part of the broader effort to facilitate the resettlement and integration of migrants into Michigan society.
