Refugee Development Center

### Context Profile for Refugee Development Center

#### 1. Organization Mission & Cause
The Refugee Development Center (RDC) is dedicated to empowering refugees and immigrants in the Greater Lansing area through education, community engagement, and support services. Their mission is to help individuals and families navigate the challenges of resettlement, fostering self-sufficiency and integration into the community. The RDC emphasizes the importance of cultural understanding and aims to create a welcoming environment for refugees.

#### 2. Type of Activities
- **Community Programs**: RDC offers various programs including English language classes, job readiness training, youth mentorship, and cultural orientation.
- **Volunteer Opportunities**: The organization actively recruits volunteers to assist in their programs, providing training and orientation for those interested in supporting the refugee community.
- **Fundraising Campaigns**: RDC organizes fundraising events to support their programs and initiatives, including community outreach and educational workshops.
- **Workshops and Events**: They host events that promote cultural exchange and awareness, allowing the community to engage with refugee stories and experiences.

#### 3. Tone of Voice
The tone of voice used by RDC is **friendly, inclusive, and supportive**. Their communication is clear and approachable, aiming to inspire community involvement and convey the importance of their mission. The language is often direct and informative, with an emphasis on welcoming newcomers and fostering a sense of belonging.

#### 4. Emoji Usage
The Refugee Development Center does not appear to use emojis in their communications. Their content maintains a professional and straightforward tone, focusing on clarity and accessibility rather than informal expressions.

#### 5. Key Facts
- **Founding Info**: The specific founding date is not mentioned on the website, but the organization has been active in the Greater Lansing area for several years.
- **Scale**: The organization has conducted 15 total forms and sent out 48 email campaigns, indicating an active engagement with their community and stakeholders.
- **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics are not detailed on the website, the RDC highlights the number of individuals served through their programs and the positive outcomes achieved in community integration.
- **Volunteer Info**: Volunteers are required to undergo training and background checks. They commit to a minimum of two hours per week for an entire semester, with orientations scheduled to prepare them for their roles.

#### 6. Writing Guidelines
- **Clarity and Simplicity**: Use straightforward language that is easy to understand, avoiding jargon.
- **Inclusive Language**: Ensure that communications reflect the diversity of the community and are welcoming to all.
- **Call to Action**: Encourage community involvement with clear calls to action, such as signing up for events or volunteering.
- **Empathy and Support**: Highlight the challenges faced by refugees and the importance of community support in overcoming these challenges.
- **Professionalism**: Maintain a professional tone while being approachable, ensuring that all communications reflect the organization’s mission and values.

This context profile provides a comprehensive overview of the Refugee Development Center, enabling AI assistants to generate tailored and effective content that aligns with the organization's mission and communication style.

LXCL:Be sure to click "add+" to continue registering. Each individual attending RDC's Volunteer Orientation must complete and submit this form (maximum 1 person per registration).

Attendee

Please be sure to click &quot;Add+&quot; next to attendee to continue registering. Join RDC&#39;s Volunteer team! The RDC is looking for volunteers for our spring 2026 semester. Our spring semester runs January 12 - &nbsp;May 14, 2026; programs operate Monday-Thursday, and there are a variety of ways to get involved! Although our programs have already started, we are looking for additional volunteers to join our team! Volunteers commit to weekly 2-hour volunteer sessions, in the same program, for an entire semester. All volunteers must undergo mandatory volunteer orientation, training, and background checks prior to service. <hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"> Our next volunteer orientation is on December 18th, 2025. Registration is required to attend orientation.&nbsp; 12:00-2:00pmOR5:30-7:30pm Savanna, RDC&#39;s Volunteer Coordinator, will be available between 2-5:30 to process background checks and answer any questions. Can&#39;t make it to orientation? No worries-- we will be holding more volunteer orientations throughout the month of January. Please keep an eye out on our website and social media for updates about volunteering, or email Savanna at volunteer@rdclansing.org <hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"> What to expect: Our 2-hour volunteer orientation provides critical information about RDC&#39;s history and background, context about the refugee community. Please note: volunteer orientation is held in advance, about a month prior to our semester starting. This allows adequate time for background checks to be processed and schedules to be assigned. Background checks can take up to 2 weeks to be processed.&nbsp; <hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"> Questions and concerns can be directed to Savanna at <a fr-original-style="text-decoration-color:initial;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit;" href="mailto:volunteer@rdclansing.org" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color:initial;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit;" target="_blank">volunteer@rdclansing.org</a> We hope to see you there!

Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name , Thank you for registering for RDC&#39;s in-person volunteer orientation on <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{date-variable-d6b160a1-9ea3-4e45-a888-c191960761df}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">Date .&nbsp;We are looking forward to hosting you! Please continue reading this email for important information about orientation, including what to complete before. RDC&#39;s Volunteer orientation will take place out of RDC&#39;s Newcomer Center, located at <a fr-original-class="fr-green fr-strong" fr-original-style="" href="https://www.bing.com/maps?&ty=18&q=5509%20S%20Pennsylvania%20Ave%2C%20Lansing%2C%20Michigan%2C%20United%20States&mb=42.680708~-84.539641~42.673142~-84.534107&cardbg=%23F98745&dt=1744905600000&tt=5509%20S%20Pennsylvania%20Ave%2C%20Lansing%2C%20MI%2048911&tsts0=%2526ty%253D18%2526q%253D5509%252520S%252520Pennsylvania%252520Ave%25252C%252520Lansing%25252C%252520Michigan%25252C%252520United%252520States%2526mb%253D42.680708~-84.539641~42.673142~-84.534107%2526cardbg%253D%252523F98745%2526dt%253D1744905600000&tstt0=5509%20S%20Pennsylvania%20Ave%2C%20Lansing%2C%20MI%2048911&cp=42.676925~-84.53993&lvl=16.8&pi=0&ftst=0&ftics=False&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; font-weight: 700; color: green; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">5509 South Pennsylvania Ave Lansing, Michigan 48911 (inside the UU Church (sometimes, when you put the address into Apple maps, you&#39;ll be directed to Paradise Motors. We are across the street from Paradise Motors</a>). Please do not report to Maple Street location-- this is our old office location, and we no longer operate out of the Neighborhood Empowerment Center.&nbsp;When you arrive to the center, please enter at the double glass doors located on the northeast end of the building. These doors will be locked! Please ring the doorbell on the right-hand side to notify staff that you are here. RDC staff will be available upfront to check you in and collect intake information.&nbsp; To help expedite the check-in process, please come with the following documents and tasks completed:<ol fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Please email a picture or scanned copy of your government issued ID&nbsp;to volunteer@rdclansing.org</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Conduct the following background checks for yourself. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/157VkgJvrAnnKnYKhrEdUg3u5poXlKs6B/view?usp=sharing" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Video instructions can be found here</a>.<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="color: rgb(44, 130, 201);" style="color: rgb(44, 130, 201); box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-class="fr-green fr-strong" fr-original-style="" href="https://www.nsopw.gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; font-weight: 700; color: green; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">National Sex Offender Public Registry</a><ul fr-original-style="color: initial;" style="color: initial; box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Search by FIRST NAME, LAST NAME ONLY</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-class="fr-strong fr-green" fr-original-style="" href="https://mspsor.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; font-weight: 700; color: green; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Michigan Sex Offender Public Registry</a><ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Search by FIRST NAME, LAST NAME ONLY</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">These can be printed and brought in person or emailed to volunteer@rdclansing.org<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">If you are unable to complete these checks, no problem. RDC staff will be available to conduct them upon arrival.</li></ul></li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fill out section 1 of the <a fr-original-class="fr-green fr-strong" fr-original-style="" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yY4M32R3yVO4NCagdOJYvsypKBjfV4fx/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; font-weight: 700; color: green; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Central Registry Clearance Request form</a> COMPLETELY. Form must include SSN and handwritten signature. Please reference the example to ensure you are filling out the form correctly.&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fKho4DnOYeu0bt5DVn-CwsaBAtVLry42/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Example here</a>.<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold; box-sizing: inherit;">Printed forms will be available at orientation.</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-class="fr-strong fr-green" fr-original-style="" href="https://forms.gle/jeLN3SfPk4eaRVbr9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; font-weight: 700; color: green; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Fill out this intake form</a>--&nbsp;this is required for all volunteers.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-class="fr-strong fr-green" fr-original-style="" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqQJ8jchaJ6SY6GadZzy9L5sHzHIhOgT7eXGYluyPzDnyTHA/viewform?usp=header" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; font-weight: 700; color: green; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Watch this video and complete the brief google form quiz</a><ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">This video covers RDC volunteer policy and expectations. All volunteers are required to watch this video before&nbsp;starting service.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Watching this video virtually allows us to have more time during orientation to learn about RDC programs, engage with staff, and familiarize yourself with the center.</li></ul></li></ol>If you have any questions or concerns regarding this checklist, volunteering, or RDC in general, do not hesitate to reach out! Otherwise, we look forward to meeting you on&nbsp;<span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{date-variable-ae7d6a55-4cde-4ad6-917b-88f69946aabf}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">Date Best, Savanna and the RDC team.

Please be sure to click "Add+" next to attendee to continue registering. Join RDC's Volunteer team! The RDC is looking for volunteers for our spring 2026 semester. Our spring semester runs January 12 -  May 14, 2026; programs operate Monday-Thursday, and there are a variety of ways to get involved! Although our programs have already started, we are looking for additional volunteers to join our team! Volunteers commit to weekly 2-hour volunteer sessions, in the same program, for an entire semester. All volunteers must undergo mandatory volunteer orientation, training, and background checks prior to service. <hr /> Our next volunteer orientation is on December 18th, 2025. Registration is required to attend orientation.  12:00-2:00pmOR5:30-7:30pm Savanna, RDC's Volunteer Coordinator, will be available between 2-5:30 to process background checks and answer any questions. Can't make it to orientation? No worries-- we will be holding more volunteer orientations throughout the month of January. Please keep an eye out on our website and social media for updates about volunteering, or email Savanna at volunteer@rdclansing.org <hr /> What to expect: Our 2-hour volunteer orientation provides critical information about RDC's history and background, context about the refugee community. Please note: volunteer orientation is held in advance, about a month prior to our semester starting. This allows adequate time for background checks to be processed and schedules to be assigned. Background checks can take up to 2 weeks to be processed.  <hr /> Questions and concerns can be directed to Savanna at <a href="mailto:volunteer@rdclansing.org" target="_blank">volunteer@rdclansing.org</a> We hope to see you there!

Refugee Development Center

December 2025 Volunteer Orientation

See Email Upon Registration

Attendee

Free