Give a child the opportunity for a family and a future.
Welcoming newcomers to our community.
Programs Assisting Refugee Acculturation:
Can you give your time to help a family feel at home in a new country?
It is our privilege and duty as God’s people to follow His example in loving and welcoming strangers. PARA works to link newly-arrived refugees with church co-sponsors, individual volunteers, service providers, and other community resources. We strive to help refugees adjust to their new home in West Michigan.
PARA provides language training, cultural orientation, and social, educational, health, and financial information. We work to integrate refugee families so they feel a sense of home and belonging here.
Church volunteers can help by finding and furnishing an apartment, providing food, and collecting clothing and other household items. You can provide transportation to appointments, take the family shopping, invite the family for a meal in your home, or volunteer in many other ways.

You can help.
Volunteer with PARA and help new refugees by:
- Helping them practice English skills.
- Offering your friendship.
- Giving information about the community.
- Coaching them on ways to find work.
- Having your church co-sponsor a refugee family
Welcoming refugees:
Your church can make a refugee family
feel surrounded by loving care. PARA
works with churches to co-sponsor and
resettle refugee families in the United States.
Churches offer volunteer time and money
to help support the family. A co-sponsoring
church may give approximately 250 to 300
volunteer hours over three to four months.
Get your church involved in this exciting ministry
of welcoming newcomers to West Michigan!
Read one story of a Safe Family in action! http://t.co/xou7HrSC
RT @joshcowman: The @FearlessRide is happening tomorrow! Stoked to be involved. 276 mile ride across IA in one day to benefit @Bethany. LET'S DO IT! #AFRAID
World Refugee Day is June 23rd, see what we're doing to prepare.. http://t.co/nyckUKZU
What big news did @CatelynnLowell reveal at her latest tour stop? http://t.co/go3vkApT
Why would you do this? You don’t even know me... http://t.co/xou7HrSC
What crazy questions have you been asked? 'The One Question to Never Ask an Adoptive Parent' http://t.co/uEoZBLmD
RT @CatalystRadioGR: If you missed it, here's last Friday's show about the Refugee Foster Care Program at @Bethany http://t.co/4DKYSUvL
"A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take." - Cardinal Mermillod
Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms out there! You're a blessing!
RT @CatelynnLowell: Big Thanks to @Bethany and all my fans for making our tour an awesome one!! Can't wait to do some more and meet more fans & girls in need!!!
@CatelynnLowell Happy Birthmother's Day! http://t.co/9EFWEOxO
Celebrate this #Birthmother's Day with a video tribute to your #birthmom ... http://t.co/9EFWEOxO
Check out @CatelynnLowell and @TylerBaltierra on @NBCPhiladelphia today at 9am!
It's #Birthmother's Day! Celebrate with a video tribute to your #birthmom ... http://t.co/9EFWEOxO
Your #birthmom gave you her heart. Let her know how much you care. http://t.co/9EFWEOxO


