We develop educational skills among refugees and other immigrants in Mid-Michigan so that they may become successful and involved members of our community.

Description:
We prepare refugee families for success through one-on-one mentoring and a comprehensive library of English as a Second Language and literacy tools, including:

• A state-of-the-art driving simulator, capable of teaching in five languages.
• Interactive ESL programming and classes.
• Life skills and driving videos, many in Spanish, Farsi, Arabic and Bosnian.
• High-speed internet and satellite TVs.
• More than 200 annual volunteers trained to tutor, mentor and connect refugees with additional services.
• After-school teen tutoring and mentoring.
• The International Youth Community, an afterschool teen program for leadership, literacy and learning.
• Former resettlement director prepared to advocate on behalf of refugees in need on a drop-in basis.
• Pastors prepared to assist with the spiritual needs of refugees.
• Staffers prepared to address agency, school and church groups about refugee issues.
• A Senior refugee program focused on ending social isolation among elderly refugees.



History:
The Refugee Development Center opened in May 2002 to focus on building refugee educational skills. We are 80 percent privately funded and rely on the generosity of stakeholders and committed volunteers.


Contact people:


Shirin Kambin Timms, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Kathy Walsh, Office Manager, (phone), (email) Zerit Yohannes, Pastor, (phone)


Office fax number: (517) 482-4719

Address:


122 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Lansing, MI 48912 (See a map)


Web Site: http://www.refugeedevelopmentcenter.com

Directions:

From the United Way, take Michigan Avenue West toward the State Capital. Pass Frandor and Sparrow Hospital. Turn left onto South Pennsylvania Ave. Take an immediate right into the parking lot for Christ Lutheran Church. Park. Ring the buzzer to. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: NA,   Walk distance (in minutes): NA   Nearest Bus Stop: Bus No. 1, Mich./Penn., 1 minute walk

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