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We envision a community where those new to the country, and those who have been here for generations, are able to access opportunity and impact change

Greater Lansing has long prospered from the arrival of people from other parts of the state, country, and world. We have learned from those different from ourselves, and we are a more creative, compassionate, and resilient community because people have made their homes here. New US Americans* are rooting themselves in our community and have become our neighbors, co-workers, friends and classmates. Greater Lansing needs those who have been here for generations, and those who are new to us. We are grateful to live, work and find a home in a region where there is a place for each of us.

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What is the IRRC?

 

The IRRC is a network of over 50 stakeholders from the nonprofit, business, education, faith, public, and private sectors. Because we believe those impacted by our work should lead our work,  in 2015 the IRRC made a strategic decision to create an Advisory Council of New US Americans* to guide the collaborative. This council, in partnership with the wider network, helps identify needs, optimize opportunities, meet challenges, and support Greater Lansing as a welcoming region for long term and new residents.

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* “New US American” is an all-encompassing term that includes immigrants, refugees and their children. It recognizes that newcomer families can both treasure their cultural backgrounds, while also learning from and contributing to their new US communities. It serves to recognize the sacrifice and contribution of first and second-generation immigrants to the United States, and the heritage from which they come.

 

The IRRC Advisory Council elected to add US to the term to recognize the history and feelings of alienation many parts of Latin America experience when “American” is used to solely describe the United States. By adding “US” to New American, we honor the history and identity of our fellow Latin Americans in North, Central, and South America.

Outside Dinner

We may have different histories, but we have one future together as a country.

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