What kind of system of support do we have in

Grand Rapids for new immigrants and refugees?

While there are a variety of ways of conceptualizing

elements of a newcomer integration support

system, one useful framework comes from the

Canadian Council for Refugees, including four

primary categories of services:

• Services to help newcomers develop the skills

and knowledge to participate in society –

including initial resettlement services, language

training, and job placement services.

• Services to bridge between newcomers and the

community, such as interpretation and translation

and volunteer programs.

• Services of a general nature specially adapted

for newcomers or responding to their specialized

needs, such as mental health programs designed

to address trauma issues.

• Services to help communities incorporate

newcomers, such as education and awareness

building services and programs helping

mainstream organizations gain expertise in

providing service to newcomers (Canadian

Council for Refugees, pages 18-19).

This framework provides a helpful perspective

for looking at newcomer integration services in

the Grand Rapids area, and gaining a sense of

the roles and niches of service providers.