The Office of Global Michigan is looking for resident volunteers to house migrants in their homes and help integrate them into US society.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development says residents who participate must make a 90-day commitment. As part of the refugee support program, residents are asked to help with relocation needs due to the border crisis, and make a home in the state.
Residents are asked to meet the person or family at the airport, helping find housing, enroll children in school, and help with finding employment for adults as part of the Welcome Corps.
“The Office of Global Michigan’s goal is to make Michigan the home for opportunity for our immigrant, refugee and ethnic communities,” said Poppy Hernandez, Michigan’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer and Director of the Office of Global Michigan. “With expanded refugee resettlement pathways, everyday Michiganders can provide refuge and build a state where people are welcomed with open arms.”
Other ways to help sponsor an individual or family through the CHNV program for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, or Venezuelan Nationals. Residents can also sponsor an individual or family from Ukraine.
Also available is Michigan’s Ambassadors and Allies program, to “become an ambassador and share your sponsorship experience in the community,” while “allies and recruiters can support by being welcoming, recruiting, volunteering, donating, or mentoring refugees.”
The request comes as multiple cities are grappling with how to house and provide services to newly arrived migrants from the southern border.
Cities like New York and Chicago have also dealt with issues related to migrants committing crimes, as well as pushback from residents who have voiced anger and concern over the influx. Migrant shelters in those cities have largely been full, forcing officials to come up with ways to safely house the migrants.
Last year, Massachusetts officials asked residents to open their doors as migrant shelters were full at the time.
FULL ARTICLE: https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/state-of-michigan-asks-for-volunteers-to-help-house-migrants
About Author
