Recent Arrivals, Asylum Seekers and Family Support Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan is home to a growing community of recent arrivals, asylum seekers, and refugees from around the world. With major health systems like Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, as well as local agencies such as the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health, there are many services available to support you and your family as you settle into West Michigan.

This guide explains what help is available in Grand Rapids for asylum seekers, refugees and new migrants, including health care, legal services, housing, education, and family support.

Understanding Your Status and Access to Services

Asylum seekers, refugees and health coverage

In the United States, access to health care and financial assistance depends on your immigration status, including:

  • Asylum seeker (applied for asylum, case pending)
  • Refugee or humanitarian entrant
  • Holder of a Permanent Resident Card (green card) or other protected status

Whether you qualify for Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace depends on your visa or immigration status and income. These rules can be complex and may change while your application is being processed.

If you do not qualify for Medicaid or other insurance, you can still access many low-cost or free services in Grand Rapids, including:

  • Community health centers
  • Safety-net clinics
  • Hospital charity care programs
  • Public health services (for example, immunizations, family planning, STI testing)

Health Services for Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Grand Rapids

Community health centers and safety‑net clinics

Asylum seekers and refugees in Grand Rapids, MI can access most health and community services regardless of immigration status. Many clinics offer sliding-scale fees (you pay based on what you can afford) and interpretation services.

Key options include:

  • Cherry Health (multiple locations in Grand Rapids)

    • Primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy
    • Sliding-fee scale for uninsured patients
    • Interpretation available for many languages

  • Exalta Health

    • Faith-based clinic providing low-cost medical and behavioral health care
    • Focus on uninsured and underinsured patients, including immigrants and asylum seekers

  • Catherine’s Health Center

    • Primary care, chronic disease management, preventive care
    • Low-cost services for people without insurance

  • Kent County Health Department

    • Immunizations (including catch-up vaccines for children and adults)
    • Tuberculosis (TB) testing and treatment
    • STI/HIV testing and treatment
    • Women, Infants & Children (WIC) nutrition program
    • Health education and community programs

These services are especially important in Michigan’s cold winters, when respiratory infections, flu, and COVID‑19 are more common. Refugees and new arrivals are encouraged to update their vaccinations and establish care with a primary care provider (PCP) soon after arrival.

Hospital care and emergency services

If you have a medical emergency, you can go to any emergency department in Grand Rapids, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay:

  • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital (downtown Grand Rapids)
  • Corewell Health Blodgett Hospital (East Grand Rapids)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health (Wyoming)

Emergency rooms must treat you if you are seriously ill or injured. You may receive a bill, but you can ask about:

  • Charity care / financial assistance programs
  • Payment plans
  • Help applying for Medicaid or other coverage if you qualify

Refugee health screening and specialized services

Refugees arriving in the United States through official programs usually receive:

  • An initial health screening (often coordinated through local resettlement agencies and health departments)
  • Referrals to:
    • Local primary care providers
    • Mental health services
    • Dental and vision care
    • Community support services

In Grand Rapids, refugee health services are often coordinated through:

  • Kent County Health Department – Refugee Health Program

    • Initial medical screenings
    • Vaccinations and communicable disease testing
    • Referrals to local clinics and hospitals

  • Local health systems (Corewell, Trinity, Metro Health, Mercy Health)

    • Provide specialty care if needed after screening

Mental Health, Trauma, and Torture Survivor Support

Many asylum seekers and refugees have survived war, torture, persecution, or severe trauma. These experiences can lead to:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Sleep problems, nightmares, or flashbacks
  • Difficulty concentrating or functioning day to day

In Grand Rapids, support is available through:

  • Network 180 (Kent County Community Mental Health)

    • Mental health and substance use services
    • Crisis services available 24/7
    • Can help connect you with counselors familiar with refugee and trauma issues

  • Bethany Christian Services, Lutheran Services, and other refugee resettlement agencies

    • Often provide or refer to trauma-informed counseling for refugees and asylum seekers

  • Local counseling centers and private therapists

    • Some offer reduced fees or work with charitable funds to support asylum seekers
    • Many now provide telehealth, helpful in winter or for those without transport

You may be eligible for free or low-cost counseling, especially if you are a survivor of torture or severe trauma. Ask your doctor, caseworker, or resettlement agency for a referral.

Services for Unaccompanied Minors and Youth

Some children and teenagers arrive in the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian. In Grand Rapids:

  • Refugee foster care and unaccompanied minor programs (often run by agencies like Bethany Christian Services) provide:

    • Safe housing and foster families
    • Case management and counseling
    • Help with school enrollment and adjustment

  • Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) and nearby districts offer:

    • English as a Second Language (ESL) programs
    • Newcomer support services
    • Free or reduced-price school meals for eligible families

Youth from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds can also access community programs that support:

  • Homework help and tutoring
  • Mentoring and leadership development
  • Recreation and social activities to build community

Navigating the U.S. immigration system is complex. Free or low-cost legal help is extremely important for asylum seekers and recent arrivals.

In or near Grand Rapids, you may be able to access:

  • Legal Aid of Western Michigan

    • Focuses on civil legal issues (housing, benefits, family law)
    • May provide referrals for immigration-specific help

  • Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) – West Michigan

    • Faith-based nonprofit providing low-cost or free immigration legal services
    • Help with asylum applications, family petitions, work authorization, and more

  • Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC)

    • Statewide nonprofit specializing in immigration law
    • Often assists asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, and vulnerable immigrants

  • Local pro bono immigration attorneys and law school clinics

    • Some attorneys in Grand Rapids take asylum cases for free or reduced fees

These organizations can:

  • Explain your rights and responsibilities
  • Help file or respond to asylum and immigration applications
  • Represent you in immigration court or at interviews, if resources allow
  • Provide interpreters when needed

Financial Assistance, Housing, and Basic Needs

Housing and homelessness support

Asylum seekers and refugees in Grand Rapids who are homeless or at risk of homelessness may be able to access:

  • Emergency shelters
  • Transitional housing programs
  • Rental assistance or homelessness prevention programs

Local resources include:

  • The Salvation Army – Housing Services
  • Mel Trotter Ministries (emergency shelter and support)
  • Family Promise of Grand Rapids (for families with children)
  • United Way 2‑1‑1 (call 2‑1‑1 for referrals to housing and financial help)

These programs can help with:

  • Emergency shelter
  • Short-term rental support (when available)
  • Case management and referrals to employment, health, and legal services

Food, clothing, and household goods

Many community organizations in Grand Rapids support asylum seekers and refugees with:

  • Food pantries
  • Hot meal programs
  • Clothing closets
  • Household items and furniture

Look for help through:

  • Local churches and mosques
  • Refugee resettlement agencies
  • Community centers
  • Feeding America West Michigan partner pantries

Disability aids and equipment

If you have a permanent or long-term disability, you may be eligible for assistance with:

  • Mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers)
  • Home modifications (ramps, grab bars)
  • Communication devices

Options include:

  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) disability-related programs
  • Hospital-based social workers at Corewell Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Nonprofits that provide or refurbish medical equipment for low-income residents

Eligibility may vary, but some programs are open regardless of immigration status. Ask a social worker, case manager, or clinic staff for help applying.

Education, English Language, and Employment Support

English language classes in Grand Rapids

Improving English is one of the most important steps for settling in Grand Rapids and finding work. Many organizations offer free or low-cost English classes:

  • Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) – ESL and adult education
  • Literacy Center of West Michigan – one-on-one tutoring and small group classes
  • Refugee resettlement agencies – often provide English and orientation classes for new arrivals
  • Local churches, community centers, and libraries – conversation groups and beginner classes

These programs help you:

  • Improve speaking, reading, and writing
  • Learn about American culture and customs
  • Understand local systems (schools, health care, transportation)
  • Meet other newcomers and build community

Job training and employment services

Many recent arrivals want to find work quickly to support their families. In Grand Rapids, you can access:

  • West Michigan Works!

    • Job search support and coaching
    • Resume and interview help
    • Training programs and job fairs
    • Some services available even if your work authorization is pending (for information and preparation)

  • Refugee resettlement agencies (such as Bethany Christian Services, Samaritas, or Lutheran Services)

    • Job placement assistance for refugees with work authorization
    • Help understanding U.S. workplace culture and expectations

  • Local nonprofits and workforce programs

    • Specialized training for health care, manufacturing, hospitality, and other local industries

Asylum seekers must have valid work authorization before they can legally work in the U.S. Legal service providers can help you apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if you qualify.

Health Education, Sexual Health, and Preventive Care

People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds may face barriers to sexual health information and services. In Grand Rapids, you can find:

  • Kent County Health Department

    • Confidential HIV and STI testing and treatment
    • Family planning and birth control services
    • Pregnancy testing and counseling

  • Planned Parenthood of Michigan – Grand Rapids

    • Sexual and reproductive health care
    • Cancer screenings and preventive care

  • Community-based organizations

    • Health education workshops
    • Outreach for immigrant and refugee communities

These services are often low-cost or free and may offer interpreters. Your immigration status is generally not required for STI testing, family planning, or many preventive services.

Seasonal and Local Health Considerations in West Michigan

Grand Rapids and the broader Great Lakes region experience:

  • Cold, snowy winters with ice and windchill
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Seasonal allergies in spring and fall

Recent arrivals may be unfamiliar with:

  • Dressing for cold weather (layers, hats, gloves, boots)
  • The risk of slipping on ice and winter injuries
  • Seasonal illnesses like flu and COVID‑19

Local clinics and public health agencies can provide:

  • Flu shots and COVID‑19 vaccines
  • Education on winter safety, heating, and carbon monoxide risks
  • Information on staying healthy during seasonal changes

Interpreters and Language Access

Most major health systems and many community organizations in Grand Rapids provide interpreter services at no cost to you, including:

  • In-person interpreters
  • Phone and video interpretation
  • Translation of key documents in multiple languages

You can ask for an interpreter when:

  • Making an appointment
  • Arriving at a clinic, hospital, or social service office
  • Speaking with legal or social service providers

Using an interpreter helps you understand your rights, medical information, and treatment options, and helps staff understand your needs.

How to Find Help in Grand Rapids

If you are an asylum seeker, refugee, or recent arrival in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and you need support, you can:

  • Call 2‑1‑1 (United Way)

    • Free, confidential helpline
    • Available 24/7
    • Connects you to local resources for food, housing, health care, and legal services

  • Contact the Kent County Health Department

    • For vaccinations, refugee health screening, and public health programs

  • Reach out to local refugee resettlement agencies (if you arrived through a formal program)

    • For case management, English classes, employment help, and mental health referrals

  • Ask at any clinic or hospital social work department

    • For help with financial assistance, disability supports, and community resources

By connecting with Grand Rapids’ health systems, community organizations, and legal services, asylum seekers and refugees can access the care and support needed to build safe, healthy, and stable lives in West Michigan.