Kaufman in the News

Welcoming Refugees: Do Unto Others Summary

March 14, 2016

Welcoming Refugees: Do Unto Others Summary

On March 8, 2016, the “Welcoming Refugees: Do Unto Others” event took place with an incredible turnout for community conversation. With over 400 attendees and 60 co-sponsors, shared values were put into action by learning about and engaging with local refugees and committing to help continue efforts to make Grand Rapids welcoming and inclusive to all people. Attendees also learned about the resettlement process for refugees, as well as heard testimonies from refugees from around the world.

The major theme of the event was ‘Do Unto Others’. “A fundamental principle in nearly all religions is care for the stranger.  We find it in Jewish, Christian and Muslim Scriptures as well as in other religious texts.” says Doug Kindschi, Director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute."

For more pictures, see here

For a list of co-sponsors of the event, see below:

ACLU of Michigan - Western Branch
Amnesty International Group 78, Detroit
Aquinas College Community Leadership Program
Aquinas College Service Learning Office
Baha'i Faith Community of Greater Grand Rapids
Bethany Christian Services
Calvin College Center for Community Engagement and Global Learning
Calvin College Middle East Club
Calvin Theological Seminary
Catholic Charities of West Michigan
Center for Inquiry - Michigan
Central Reformed Church
Christian Reformed Church Office of Social Justice
City of Grand Rapids
Congregation Ahavas Israel
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Dominican Center at Marywood
Dominican Sisters - Grand Rapids
Emmanuel Hospice
Faith Alive Books
Faith Magazine Grand Rapids
Feel Like You Belong
Fountain Street Church
Genesis United Methodist Church
Grand Rapid's Buddhist Temple and Zen Center
Grand Rapids Community Relations Commission
GVSU Community Service Learning Center
GVSU Division of Inclusion & Equity
Headbloom Cross-Cultural Communication
Holy Cross Episcopal / Ascension Lutheran Churches
Institute for Global Education
Interfaith Clergy Association of Grand Rapids
Islamic Mosque & Religious Institute - Masjid At-Tawheed
Justice for our Neighbors - West Michigan
Kaufman Interfaith Institute
Kent Intermediate School District
Law Office of Richard Kessler
Lutheran Social Services
Michigan Office for New Americans
MIRC - Welcoming Michigan
National Heritage Academies
Senior Neighbors
St. Luke University Parish
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
Taqueria El Rincon Mexicano 
The Cathedral of St. Andrew
The Catholic Information Center
The Salvation Army Social Services of Kent County
Thrive Refugee Services
Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity United Methodist Church
United Methodist Women
Wesley Fellowship at GVSU
West Michigan Coalition for Immigration Reform
West Michigan Hindu Temple
West Michigan Islamic Center
West Michigan Refugee Education & Cultural Center
Westminster Presbyterian Church
World Affairs Council of Western Michigan

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Page last modified March 14, 2016