Good evening! 

It’s an honor to be with you all tonight on behalf of Governor Whitmer to celebrate the expansion of the Newcomer Center, present this special tribute, and to celebrate a space that means so much to our state and what we stand for.

Thank you to everybody who made this milestone possible and for continuing to support Mid-Michigan communities and newcomers seeking to call this state home.

Special thanks to leadership in the City of Lansing, Ingham County, and the Michigan Legislature

And, of course, thank you to each and every member of RDC’s staff for the support you provide for individual newcomers and families. 

Through your teaching, guidance, and compassion, you help make this Center a place where people feel welcomed and ready to build their lives in Michigan.

This expansion, supported through the Michigan Community Center Grant, is a testament to RDC’s years of work building a place where newcomers are supported and connected to community.

This grant supported community-centered spaces across Michigan, where people can access resources, build relationships, and find the help they need close to home.

Today, the Newcomer Center stands as a powerful example of that vision in action. 

It is more than a building—it is a place where newcomers build relationships, access opportunities, and continue shaping their futures as new Michiganders. 

Here, roots are planted, neighbors become friends, and communities grow stronger together.

As a state, we are reminded every day of the vital role community plays in building a strong and thriving Michigan. Community is not just where we live—it is how we support one another, create opportunity, and ensure everyone has a place to belong.

At a time when so many families are facing derision and discrimination while seeking safety, stability, and a chance to rebuild, spaces like the Newcomer Center remind us of who we are and who we strive to be as a state.

Governor Whitmer has long made clear that refugees and newcomers are part of Michigan’s story

They are our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, business owners, and community leaders.

Michigan is stronger when every person has the opportunity to belong and thrive, and this expanded Center helps make that promise more real for families.

This administration is proud to support RDC’s mission and to commemorate this expanded space of welcoming, support, and empowerment for all—reflecting the very best of what Michigan stands for.

May this Center continue to be a place of hope and new beginnings for generations to come.

On behalf of Governor Whitmer, (READ OFF END OF PROC) 

Congratulations again on this milestone, and thank you for helping build a stronger, more welcoming Michigan.