Michigan readies for Ukraine refugees fleeing war,

and the need is great


DETROIT (FOX 2) - Mihaela Mitrofan is back from a humanitarian trip to Romania on the border with Ukraine. FOX 2 first spoke to her while she was there in May.


"A lot of despair - a lot of sadness - but also glimmers of hope and resilience," she said.

Now it's World Refugee Awareness Week and Michigan is getting ready to welcome Ukrainians fleeing the ravages of war - something Fatima knows too well.

"Our journey out of Afghanistan was very scary, and we were not sure that we were going to be allowed to leave the country at that time," said Fatima, an Afghan refugee.


Read full article at Fox 2 Detroit - Mihaela Mitrofan Interview


Visit Samaritas MRN to learn how you can help.

Become An Agent of Change


You are cordially invited to join Olympic Gold Medalist, Adoptive Father and Best Selling Author, Scott Hamilton, for an unforgettable evening filled with mission and fun surprise elements.


Samaritas West Michigan advocates, friends and colleagues can strut their stuff at the Be the Rock Gala on September 19, 2022. Join us for great food, auction items and more to raise funds that support our mission. Ripples Gala on November 4, 2022 at the stunning historic Book Cadillac Hotel.


Volunteers are needed for both events. Please contact Patricia Sliter - PSlit@samaritas.org or Tanya Horan - thora@samaritas.org

for volunteer opportunities.

Children's Foundation

2022 Grant Recipient


Samaritas is excited to announce that the Children’s Foundation has awarded funding to start the Refugee Health and Wellness Navigation program in southeast Michigan.


The Health Navigator will assist refugee families in assessing their children’s needs, find community resources, and help bridge the cultural and logistical barriers to wellbeing. This initiative is essential to improving the physical and mental health for children and families building their new futures here.


Thank you Children’s Foundation!


Read article here

Run For A Reason - Detroit Free Press Marathon


When you run for Samaritas, you are running for the thousands of children, families, and individuals all over Michigan who are in need. 

 

Refugee resettlement, foster care and adoption, family preservation services, and sheltering families who are houseless are just some of the services we provide. YOU can make a difference to them today with your participation in the race, and with your donation. 

 

Join us as part of Team Ripple Effects this year! 


Registration information for this October 2022 event coming soon!


Give to the cause

Samaritas Celebrated World Refugee Awareness Week

with an Art Show!


On June 20th, Samaritas launched our 2022 Youth Art Show – Colorful Journey (presented by Delta Dental) as part of Lansing’s World Refugee Awareness Week – a collaborative effort between multiple agencies and organizations celebrating the contributions of refugees to the community. 


Over the course of the years, this gallery has evolved from a single mural with a single public reception to a virtual gallery and online store viewable by people around the country. This year has brought a combination of all of these galleries – the art show will be in person, online, and will travel around the state to different gallery hosts.


Students, staff, sponsors, and community members gathered together to see the launch of the exhibit at Tabooli Mediterranean in East Lansing. Daniel Avelar, who helps coordinate art projects with the youth in foster care, states that the Art Show has created “a venue for our youth to express their backgrounds, their talents, and artistic skills through art.” Youth enjoy participating in the art show “because it allows them to express different phases of their lives that they’re going through. This includes changes and cycles. The art show has allowed people from all walks of life to express their cultures and ways of being by promoting the very essence of their identities.”


To view the pieces for yourself, visit Samaritas.org/youth-art-show.


The Samaritas Youth Art Shop will offer art lovers and refugees advocates the option of purchasing merchandise like mugs, beach bags, and journals with imprints of the refugee art. Proceeds from these fundraisers will benefit Samaritas Refugee Youth Programs. 


Visit the Samaritas Michigan Refugee Network page to make a donation, volunteer or offer other in-kind support to New American Programs.

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