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Major Support Provided by...

Community Foundation of the
Holland/Zeeland Area
First Presbyterian Church of Holland
Frey Foundation
Hope Church RCA
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Perrigo Foundation
Ronald McDonald House Charities of
Outstate Michigan
Sherwood Family Fund
Warner, Norcross, and Judd, LLP



Building Cultural Bridges of Support and Understanding

Migrant Programs
provide academic and social supports for children of migrant farm workers and their families, while creating opportunities for cultural exchange between volunteers and migrant families.
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Each year, approximately 6,000 children accompany their parents to Ottawa County from February to late November. Many second and third generation workers, this steam from Texas has existed for over thirty years and is largest population of seasonal workers in Michigan. Spanish is the first language in the home; 78% of the parents have only limited English proficiency, and on average a sixth grade education level. Due to long work hours in the fields (often six days a week), low wages, and social/ geographical isolation, parents are not able to provide after-school and summer activities/lessons for their children.

Program Components

The Migrant Mentoring Program
matches community volunteers with a migrant child to meet weekly for duration of the family’s seasonal residence. The program improves academic achievement, develops cross-cultural connections, and increases access to the community for the children and their families.

2012 Recruitment Still Going!
Interested volunteers are welcome to apply by completing our online application...

Questions? Contact Eunice Ruiz at (616) 846-9074 or [email protected]


The Summer Reading Program
brings groups of volunteers to local migrant camps to read, play games, and socialize with children, while continuing to promote cross cultural understanding the isolation of the migrant community.

Join us Mondays and Wednesday from 6-8pm (weather permitting) from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Participants meet at the Diversity Alliance offices.

Questions? Contact Eunice Ruiz at (616) 846-9074 or [email protected]





Participant Feedback

“I was completely unaware of where the migrant workers lived or how they lived. This has opened my eyes to the challenges that these families face.”
- Mentor

"This is the only place I have seen such a program. We lived in a lot of places and there was never anything like this. It makes the community better."
- Migrant Family

"There are good people here. [The mentor] has done so much for our kids; she is closer to us than our family. People here will give you a hand, before we thought people like this were only in Mexico."
- Migrant Family

Made Possible By

Major Financial Supporters


Hope Church RCA, Zelenka Nursery

Collaborating Organizations
MSU College Assistance for Migrant Scholars Program (CAMP)
MSU High School Equivalency Program (HEP)

Ottawa/Allegan Migrant Resource Council

Ottawa County Mentoring Collaborative