Our Work

The Uwezo Swahili Community (USC) was created in 2021 to empower, assist, and teach newcomers /refugees to create a strong foundation of change and strengthen their spiritual well-being for the refugee community of Michigan state. 

Refugees come to Michigan from everywhere in the world, evenly divided among men and women, ranging in age from infants to 80 years. In 2023 the state of Michigan received 2,583 Refugees arrived. Generally, the cash assistance that refugees receive through the federal government supports them only for a short time. as they expect to be self-independent within the first few months of their arrival in the United States. However, achieve self -sufficiency is a long journey for people with a number of challenges including Language Barriers, transportation, housing, health, employment barriers, cultural barriers, and general adjustment issues.

Our Programs

What we have to offer?

Connecting  people where they can get connected to the resources, including : Food assistance, Employment opportunity, Health Screening Resource, Housing opportunity, Various community resources. What are the Uwezo Swahili Community offer in our center? 

Adult Education:

  • English for speakers of other languages(ESL) classes.

  • Workforce Development

  • Citizenship Classes

  • Community Orientation

  • Preventative Health Education.

  • Computer Training 

  • Free transportation to the community members in needs.

Resources Navigator: 

  • ID/ Documentation Assistance

  • MI bridge/ Benefits Assistance

  • Clothing & Household Goods

  • Educational Support Services

  • Job Search/ Placement

  • Interpretation and translation Services

  • Youth Mentoring.

Community Engagement:

We are grateful for the 10+ Volunteers and interns who help us in these two years to advance our mission and deliver services to over 25 ESL students. 

Pictured: Youth And Opportunity Unlimited from West Michigan, Was helping ESL student at the Millerton, In Battle Creek Adult Education.

Empowering Youth

The organization by its work , wereach 34 Youth through several project, including our youth education program, our youth mentoring group called Refugee Youth Vision (RYV), Refugee Youth Protecting Hope.