Treetops Collective

The shop is open today from 9-2pm! 🛍️ Stop by and grab some back to school items to #spreadwelcome everywhere you go! Language tees, pencil pouches, and tote bags are perfect for teachers and students alike. Additional sizes, colors, and languages are available online. #rootedtogether #grandrapids #backtoschool

On any given day in our building, you'll see children happily playing with toys, even if they don't speak the same language. Nepali chiya (milk chai) is on the stove, which makes the space smell delicious and inviting. Women leaders from different parts of the world gather over mandazi to learn the latest mental health support techniques to provide critical services to their language communities. Outside these walls, you might see someone in Costco wearing a welcome tee in a language you might not read, but another shopper smiles at the recognition and belonging in a place that still feels new to her. It is for these reasons (and many more) that we do this work. We believe wholeheartedly in a world where all of us feel like we belong in the places we live. #spreadwelcome #rootedtogether #belongingisresistance

We are sick and saddened to see that misinformation about immigrants and our immigration system is being used to stir up fear and division throughout our nation. This is far from the first time that immigrants have been unfairly blamed for problems in the U.S., but the pain and fear caused by these messages is real and fresh. Cultivating communities of belonging is an act of resistance when people in power choose to promote and enact policies that divide us. We know that in reality, immigrants have always and continue to contribute extensively to American history, economy, and culture. We are a nation of immigrants after all. Locally, immigrants in Kent County contributed more than $5 billion to the GDP in 2021 alone. Additionally, undocumented immigrants (25% of the total immigrant population) contributed $15.4 million to federal taxes and $11.2 million to state and local taxes. On a national level, 45% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants and their children. These numbers represent people that we know here at Treetops. And the suggestion that our community is better off without these families grieves us deeply, and we know it grieves many of you too. Mass deportation is very simply not a solution to our nation's problems. Every member of this community – immigrants and non-immigrants alike – have the potential to make this city, this state and this country a better place to live, work and play. Believing otherwise is not only enormously wrong and incredibly short sighted, it's also dangerous and a threat to the American way of life. To protect democracy, our children's future, and a respected place in the world, we must come together and not only believe the impact immigrants have on our community but actively work together to create a sense of belonging that enables each of us to achieve our dreams. #spreadwelcome #belongingisresistance #refugees #immigrants #choosewelcome #wewelcome #michigan #grandrapids

It's that time of year again where our entire women's program celebrates together at the annual Concentric Picnic. This year members and their cross-cultural partners will be spending time with each other and kiddos at Pinewood Park in Kentwood. We are looking for volunteers to help with set up, clean up, kids' activities, and food service. Please sign up for a shift here: https://lnkd.in/gAPDQ44Z *If you're a CCP, please do not sign up for a volunteer shift as you'll be participating in activities as a guest with your partner! #spreadwelcome #grandrapids

It's hard to accept permission to rest with no other agenda than to rest. We live in a society where even rest has to be productive. "How will they carry on without me?" we ask, knowing our work is important and people are dependent on us. Our biannual practice of rest and renewal is an exercise in trust and faith in our community. It's a reminder that we do not do this work alone. Our work happens because of countless community members who choose to say "yes" when they can and feel ready to. While we are away from the office, our community steps in, continuing to give of their time, talents, and treasure to welcome new neighbors. Thank you for walking alongside us all year, but especially in our absence. #spreadwelcome #restandrenewal #community #restisproductive

Our team meeting this week was at a park near the lake. Luba, our Collective Care Manager, led us in a beautiful yoga session. The photo of the tree behind Maya Angelou's wise words was from that day. The theme of our yoga session was balance — balancing life and work and responsibilities and play. While we must learn to balance life day to day, there are also seasonal rhythms to life that stretch beyond what we can hold in 24 hours. We have two periods of rest and renewal at Treetops for this reason. Next week, our entire team will close laptops and shut off notifications. Our only responsibility will be to rest. ⁠ We will be back in the office July 8 inspired; and perhaps a little sunburnt. ☀️⁠ ⁠ #spreadwelcome #restandrenewal #periodofrest #restissacred #mayaangelou

Refugees arrive here, often without connections to people or places, only carrying hope and resilience with their suitcase. The best way to ensure New American families thrive in their new home is not learning English, working or going to school, or even becoming a citizen. It is belonging. Belonging happens in different ways. Through cross-cultural friendship, storytelling through art, sharing food, or finding others who have experienced similar pain and working together to make it easier for the next woman to arrive. And at Treetops, all of this (and more) happens through intentional programming and a safe, shared space. Intentional, beautiful spaces are for everyone. #spreadwelcome #rootedtogether #treetops #refugeewomen

🎉 Wow! We have 993 volunteers registered in our system to date and we are beyond grateful for everyone who has been part of our Treetops story in this way. We are looking for 7 more volunteers to reach our 1000th volunteer in July! The 1000th volunteer who registers and signs up for an orientation AND a volunteer opportunity will receive 10% off our store @rootedtogether.shop and a free coffee/tea at the cafe! Please sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gAPDQ44Z #spreadwelcome #volunteer #grandrapids

Redemptive influence is probably one of our most important values and is woven throughout almost everything we do at Treetops. Yet — it feels somewhat invisible. We might often wonder if you notice. Does my story matter? Who am I in a sea of billions to make a difference? This question even gets asked out loud when you're around refugee teens. "I don't have a story," they say. "No one is interested in my life." We witness a beautiful transformation within these walls when they realize that their story does indeed matter and makes an impressive difference on those who come across it. Most teens in our programs were born in refugee camps, usually in a country foreign to their parents, fleeing war and persecution. They carry with them a unique experience of being from many places and languages, trying to make sense of themselves coming of age in America. It is unparalleled joy to see them together, celebrating their accomplishments like in this photo from their graduation last week. Our work is busy, at times daunting, and there are always new challenges. But the redemptive influence of their stories and their life as it blossoms is exactly the ripple effect our community needs. Walk alongside us and support this work: https://lnkd.in/eymkbdhk #spreadwelcome

Scroll, refresh, swipe. Heart, share, comment. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Unable to escape the unending violence through our phones, we sit in our helplessness, and struggle to comprehend the collective trauma we are witnessing from around the world. It is a reminder that it is the small acts of kindness that we share with our neighbors and family and friends that make the most difference. (And frankly, the only thing we can control). So if you are feeling lost at the state of the world and helpless about your role in it, be encouraged to reach out to your neighbor and know that it matters. #spreadwelcome