What Refugee Education Center does

The Refugee Education Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation headquartered at 1534 Kalamazoo Ave SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that delivers post-resettlement education, family support, and community navigation services to refugee families in West Michigan. Founded circa 2004 and operating for approximately 20 years, the organization coordinates a portfolio of programs including the BSQ-English Language Center (BSQ-ELC) for adult learners, a K-12 educational support program, the BRIDGES school readiness program, an early childhood (0-3 years) program, and Navigation Services that help families access community resources. The center also offers consulting services to schools and organizations seeking guidance on refugee integration.

The organization serves refugee children, families, and school personnel, reporting impact metrics of more than 1,000 individuals served across programs, 90% of 0-3 program participants assessed as developmentally on track, and 98% of BRIDGES students showing improved understanding of school expectations. Revenue is generated through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, community-organized fundraising events, and consulting fees. The operating model relies on community-based engagement, walk-alongside service delivery, and a volunteer network to deliver in-person programming across two office locations in Grand Rapids and Kentwood, Michigan.

The technology footprint is minimal and non-proprietary: the organization operates a Squarespace-hosted website, a NeonCRM-based donor portal, and Z2Systems fundraising tools, but has no custom platform, no mobile application, no AI/ML capability, and no disclosed data assets. The center is BBB accredited as a charity, carries the GuideStar/Candid transparency seal, and identifies as operating exclusively within the West Michigan regional market with no evidence of geographic expansion beyond a single state geography.

Name

Refugee Education Center

Legal name

Refugee Education Center

Website

https://refugeegr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Refugee Education Center is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers post-resettlement education, family support, and navigation services to refugee families in West Michigan through programs spanning adult English learning, K-12 support, early childhood, and consulting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee Education and Social Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Child and Youth Services (62411), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Immigrant & Refugee Community Education (Integration/Navigation) (EDAAAFAH), Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ)

Keywords

• Refugee education services
• Post-resettlement support
• English language learning
• School readiness programs
• Family stability services

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund programs and services. Donations are collected through their website portal and in-person giving opportunities.
2. Fundraising Events: Community members can host fundraisers including runs, garage sales, and giving challenges to support the mission.
3. Consulting Services: The organization offers consulting services to educate communities and organizations on embracing refugee neighbors, providing a revenue stream for expertise sharing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Refugee Education Center provides post-resettlement education, school readiness, early childhood development, and community navigation services to refugees in West Michigan. It delivers these programs through direct in-person services across five program areas: BSQ-ELC English Language Center, K-12 educational support, BRIDGES school readiness, a 0-3 year-old early childhood program, and navigation services, complemented by paid consulting work for schools and organizations.

Product overview

Refugee Education Center is a nonprofit organization offering a coordinated portfolio of educational and support programs for refugees in West Michigan. The core offerings include the BSQ-English Language Center for adult language learning, K-12 educational support programs, early childhood development services (0-3 program), and the BRIDGES school readiness program. These programs are complemented by consulting services for organizations seeking to support refugees, volunteer and fundraising platforms, and the Better Together Pledge initiative. Together, these programs address five essential elements of post-resettlement life to help refugees achieve full community participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BSQ-ELC: A program under Refugee Education Center focused on early literacy and education services.

Products and services

• BSQ-ELC (English Language Center) English language learning center providing educational services to adult refugees and immigrants in West Michigan.
• K-12 Program Educational support services for refugee students in kindergarten through 12th grade, helping them succeed in school and understand expectations.
• BRIDGES Program School readiness program that helps refugee children prepare for educational expectations, with 98% of students showing improved understanding of school expectations.
• 0-3 Year-Old Program Early childhood development program for refugee families with children ages 0-3, with 90% of participating children assessed as developmentally on track.
• Navigation Services Services that help refugees navigate and access community resources and systems in West Michigan.
• Consulting Services Education and training services for communities and organizations on how to embrace and support new American neighbors, leveraging the organization's expertise in refugee resettlement and educational systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of participating children in 0-3 year-old program assessed to be developmentally on track
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Corporate and Foundation Partners (general)coreOthersThe organization acknowledges corporate and foundation partners as well as many individuals across West Michigan who support programs and services. Specific partner names are not disclosed in the available source material.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities USA: National network of diocesan agencies providing refugee resettlement, English language, and family integration services; one of the largest direct comparables on scope and funding mix.
• Bethany Christian Services: Nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, foster care, and family services across multiple U.S. states; closely comparable program portfolio including education support and family stability.
• Church World Service: Faith-based refugee resettlement agency with U.S. programs covering education, English language training, and integration support; directly comparable beneficiary population and service mix.
• US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI): National nonprofit operating refugee resettlement, education, and integration programs across multiple states; directly comparable post-resettlement service model.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Major national refugee resettlement organization providing post-resettlement education, family support, and integration services across multiple U.S. sites; directly comparable mission and beneficiary population.
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: National refugee resettlement and child migrant services provider with U.S. field offices; directly comparable resettlement and post-resettlement education services.
• World Relief: Christian refugee resettlement organization with multiple U.S. field offices providing post-resettlement education, English language, and family services; directly comparable program model.
• Samaritas: Michigan-headquartered social services nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, family support, and integration services; strongest geographic overlap with the Refugee Education Center and a directly comparable program mix.
• HIAS: Refugee resettlement agency providing education, legal aid, and integration support to refugees in the U.S.; directly comparable post-resettlement service mix.

Regional players

• Jewish Family Services of West Michigan: West Michigan-based social services organization serving refugees, immigrants, and other vulnerable populations; shares the same geographic footprint and beneficiary base as the Refugee Education Center.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/refugeeedcenter

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Refugee Education Center