Outside the classroom...and the campus
If you're learning Spanish at Calvin, you won't just study it in the classroom; you'll experience it—right here in Grand Rapids. And with over 29,000 Hispanics living in Grand Rapids (that's about 16% of the city's population!), it isn't too difficult to discover ways to use your Spanish right here in the community. Whether you choose to volunteer at an agency that serves the Hispanic population, worship at a Spanish-speaking church, or enjoy a meal at a Latin American restaurant, you are sure to discover a way to meet the Hispanic community of Grand Rapids.
Check out our list of area Hispanic contacts below, or visit the Service-Learning Center for more ideas on how to serve.
Agencies
American Red Cross of West Michigan
(interpreting for disaster victims)
1050 Fuller Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.456.8661
Lunes-Viernes 8:30am–5:00pm
Cheryl Bremer, Chief Executive Officer
Arbor Circle
(counseling, education, prevention programs, & more)
1101 Ball Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
616.456.6571
CALL Immigration Services
(immigration form processing, consults, referrals)
2040 Raybrook Ave SE, Suite 204
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616.452.2433
Lunes 9:00am-4:00pm
Martes-Jueves 9:00am-3:00pm
Catholic Charities West Michigan
(community outreach, counseling services, child welfare programs, family preservation programs)
40 Jefferson Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.456.1443
Cherry Street Health Services
(family outreach center, youth programs, help for migrants, & more)
100 Cherry St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.965.8200
Clínica Santa María
(bilingual staff providing health care for underserved, homeless, migrants, & uninsured)
730 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.685.8400
Lunes-Viernes 8:00am–5:00pm
Miércoles 8:00am-9:00pm
Goodwill Industries
(vocational training)
3035 Prairie St SW
Grandille, MI 49418
616.532.4200
info@goodwillgr.org
Lunes-Viernes 8:00am–5:00pm
Heartside Health Clinic of Saint Mary’s
(health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse advocacy, financial assistance for uninsured, & more)
359 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.685.3800
Lunes-Viernes 6:50am–3:30pm
Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
*always looking for volunteers - do not need to be fluent*
(family support services, adult education and employment, youth services, & more)
1204 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.742.0200
Lunes-Viernes 8:00am–5:00pm (closed for lunch 12:00pm-1:00pm)
Hispanic Ministry Office of the Catholic Church
(serves the pastoral needs of Hispanic Catholics within the Midwest Region)
Cathedral Square Center
360 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.243.3927
Mr. Luis L. Beteta, Director for Hispanic Ministry
Mel Trotter Ministries
(shelter, food, clothing, education, biblical studies, computer-based learning, work training for those in need)
225 Commerce Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.454.8249
Lunes-Viernes 8:00am-5:00pm
Rev.
Chico Daniels, CEO & President
Migrant Legal Aid
(free legal aide to migrant farm workers under poverty line - no criminal cases)
1104 Fuller Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.454.5055
Programs Assisting Refugee Acculturation (Bethany Christian Services)
(language training, cultural orientation, foster care, & social, educational, health, and financial information)
1050 36th St, Suite 400
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
616.224.7540
Roosevelt Park Ministries
*always looking for volunteers - contact Vicki Vermeer*
(ESL & literacy services, teen/youth programs, family enrichment programs, job referral services)
1530 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.475.5881
Steve Drewry, Executive Director
Sparta Community Education
(ESL & GED classes, before and after school child care, child daycare)
1655 12 Mile Rd
Sparta, MI 49345
616.887.7321
Lunes-Jueves 7:30am-4:00pm
Viernes 7:30am-3:30pm
Voices for Health
(interpreting, translation, education, consultation)
2851 Michigan St, Suite 104
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616.233.6505
info@voicesforhealth.com
Lunes-Viernes 8:00am–5:00pm
West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
(promote and assist Hispanic-owned businesses and leaders - student membership $25/yr)
1251 Century Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616.452.4027
Carlos Sanchez, Executive Director
Bookstores
Editorial Portavoz (Kregel Bookstore)
733 Wealthy St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.451.4775
portavoz@portavoz.com
Lunes-Viernes 9:00am–5:00pm
Family Christian Stores
3120 28th St SE Suite B
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
616.949.8892
Lunes-Sábado 10:00am-9:00pm
Domingo 12:00pm-5:00pm
Libros Desafío
2850 Kalamazoo Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49560
1.800.426.8355
Michigan Church Supply
360 Division St SE, Suite 1B
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616.245.2251
grandrapids@michiganchurchsupply.com
Lunes-Sábado 9:00am-5:00pm
Churches
Casa del Rey
2143 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616.243.4505
Victor y Lupe Morales, Pastores
Domingo 10:30am
Esperanza Covenant Church (First Evangelical Covenant Church)
1933 Tremont Blvd NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616.453.6346
Dale Dalman, pastor
Domingo 12:30pm
Miércoles 6:45pm-8:00pm - English classes for adults
Lunes-Miércoles 12:30-2:30 - Community Food Pantry
Iglesia Alas de Águila
1261 Lee St SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
616.738.3850
oficina@ialasdeaguila.org
Israel Alvarado, Pastor
Domingo 12:00pm
Martes 7:00pm - Reunión de oración
Iglesia Central Hispana de Grand Rapids
700 Burton St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616.243.3405
Roberto Clouzet, Pastor
Sábado 9:30am - Sabbath School
Sábado 11:00am - Worship Service
Iglesia Cristiana Reformada Emanuel
1265 36th St SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
616.308.3805 (Pastor number)
emanuelcrc@gmail.com
Carlos Tápanes, Pastor
Domingo 11:00am
Iglesia de Dios Nueva Jerusalén
24 Dickenson St SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616.617.6249
Andrés Garcia, Pastor
pastorandres1@netzero.com
Iglesia Evangelica de Restauración
2788 Woodward Ave SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
616.257.3983
Domingo 10:00am
*A few things to consider: women and men seated on opposite sides of the church, women cover their heads and wear long skirts*
Iglesia Nueva Esperanza
1933 Buchanan SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616.706.3954
Jorge Rodriguez, Pastor
Domingo 11:00am
Lunes-Jueves 6:00pm - Zumba
Martes 7:00pm - Culto de oración
Iglesia Nueva Vida (Grand Rapids First)
2222 44th St SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49519
616.531.2100
Domingo 9:00am in Student Life Center (building next to GR First)
Miércoles 7:00pm in room E229 (entrance O)
Jonathan Espinoza, Pastor
Iglesia Vida (Resurrection Life Church)
Holland Campus:
1006 S. Washington Ave
Holland, MI 49423
616.406.2220
iglesiavidadeholland@reslife.org
Domingo 12:00pm
Grandville Campus:
5100 Ivanrest Ave SW
Grandville, MI 49418
*enter the Rez Center in entrance E or H*
616.249.3707
iglesiavida@reslife.org
David Christian, Pastor
Domingo 11:30am
Roosevelt Park Community CRC
811 Chicago Dr SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
616.243.5875
Domingo 9:45am (Bilingual - listen to message with headphones for Spanish)
St. Andrew’s Cathedral (Catholic)
301 Sheldon SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.456.1454
Domingo 12:00pm
St. Joseph the Worker (Catholic)
225 32nd St SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
616.456.7982
Rev. Steven D. Cron, Pastor
stevencron@sanjoseobrero.net
Sábado 5pm (Bilingual)
Domingo 9:00am & 11:00am
Newspapers
El Vocero Hispano
2818 Vineland Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
616.246.6023
elvocero@elvoceromi.com
Andres Abreu, Editor
Lazo Cultural
3923 28th St SE 118
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
616.977.0658
Isabel Flores, Editor
La Voz (bilingual)
1066 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.243.9090
Dr. José A. Flores, Publisher
Radio
WMUK FM 102.1
Western Michigan University - Friedmann Hall
1903 West Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
269.387.5715
“El Alma Latina” – news/music from Latin America
Domingo 8:00pm-9:00pm
WYCE FM 88.1
711 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616.459.4788
"El Mundo Musical" - Latin/Spanish music
Oscar Zuniga, Host
L-V: 5:30am-7:00am
Domingo: 6:00am-8:00am
Restaurants
Beltline Bar
16 28th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616.245.0494
El Arriero
2948 28th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
616.977.2674
El Sombrero Restaurant
527 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616.451.4290
La Cantina Mexican Restaurant
2770 East Paris Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616.949.9120
La Mexicana Bakery
1628 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616.248.3368
Little Mexico Café
401 Stocking Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616.456.0517
Maggie’s Kitchen
636 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616.458.8583
San Chez, A Tapas Bistro
38 Fulton St W
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.774.8272
Schools
Adult Education (ESL)
*Also see the Agencies list for more organizations offering Adult Education.*Grand Rapids Adult Education Center
2405 Leonard St NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
616.819.2734
Esther Kuiper, Director
kuipere@grps.org
ESL Programs
Buchanan Elementary
1775 Buchanan Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616.819.2252
Evelyn Ortiz, Principal
Burton Elementary & Middle
2133 Buchanan Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616.819.2262
Ana Aleman-Putman, Principal
Cesar E. Chavez Elementary
1205 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.819.2560
Aimee Garcia, Principal
Congress Elementary
940 Baldwin St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616.819.2201
Bridget Cheney, Principal
Gerald R. Ford Middle School
851 Madison Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616.819.2640
Stephanie Davis, Principal
Sherwood Park Global Studies Academy
3859 Chamberlain Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
616.819.3095
Arnetta Thompson, Principal
Westwood Middle School
1525 Mount Mercy Dr NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616.819.3322
Dr. Arthur Garner, Principal
FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) Programs
Ada Christian School (PreK-8)
6206 Ada Dr SE
Ada, MI 49301
616.676.1289
Melissa Brower, Principal
Immaculate Heart of Mary (PreK-8)
1951 Plymouth Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616.241.4633
Stacey Slomsky, Principal
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish School (PreK-8)
1429 Wilcox Park Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 46506
616.458.4228
Suzi Furtwangler, Principal
Immersion Programs
Ada Vista Spanish Immersion Program (K-4)
[Forest Hills Public Schools]
7192 Bradfield SE
Ada, MI 49301
616.493.8970
Jesús Santillán, Principal
Grand Rapids Christian Elementary School (PreK-2)
1050 Iroquois Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616.574.6500
Mark Krommendyk, Principal
NorthPoint Christian Schools (PreK-1)
540 Russwood St NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
616.363.4869
Kari Huckaby, Director
Southwest Community Campus – dual language program (PreK-8)
[Grand Rapids Public Schools]
801 Oakland SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.819.2947
Carmen Fernandez, Principal
K-12 Spanish Programs
East Grand Rapids Public Schools
District Office:
2915 Hall St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616.235.3535
Forest Hills Public Schools
Administration Building:
6590 Cascade Rd SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616.493.8800
Grand Rapids Christian Schools
GRCS Administrative Office:
1508 Alexander Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616.574.6000
Tom DeJonge, Superintendent
The Potter's House Elementary/Middle School & High School
Elementary/Middle:
810 Van Raalte Dr SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49509
616.241.5202
High School:
2500 Newport SW
Wyoming, MI 49519
616.249.8050
John Booy, Superintendent
Stores
*For a true latino shopping experience, spend an afternoon wandering around the 1400-1500 blocks of Grandville Avenue (between Clyde Park and High Street). There are over 17 independent Spanish-speaking businesses in this area. The stores are small and clean, and the service is super-friendly.*
El Matador Tortilla Factory
45 Franklin St SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
616.241.1121
Lunes-Viernes 9:00am-4:00pm
La Familia Stop-N-Shop
(Puerto Rican)
1066 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.243.9090
El Milagro of Michigan (La Favorita Tortillería)
1846 Clyde Park Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49509
616.452.6625
Rodriguez Supermarket
2211 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616.246.0970
Supermercado México
1160 Chicago Dr SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
616.245.7443
Television
Esperanza TV
(24-hour Spanish programming, available online)
GRTV - cable channel 25
711 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616.459.4788
Martes 4:30pm - Casa del Rey
Viernes 9:30am - La Biblia Habla
Domingo 12:00pm - Misión Evangelista
Domingo 7:00pm - Luz en Medio
WGVU/WGVK
*check schedule for dates/times of Spanish programs on the secondary audio channel*
301 Fulton St W Room 820
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616.331.6666
WKTV - channel 25 in Wyoming & Kentwood, U-Verse channel 99
(offer $15 production classes)
5261 Clyde Park Ave SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
616.261.5700
Lunes 11:00am - Misión Evangelista
Martes 12:30pm - Casa del Rey
Jueves 6:00pm - Casa del Rey
Univisión
(24-hour Spanish programming on regular cable; programs available online as well)
Translation and Interpretation Services
El Centro Translations
(interpreter training courses along with translation and interpretation services)
*always looking for volunteers - do not need to be fluent*
1204 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.742.0194
Salvador López, Director
slopez@hispanic-center.org
Interpreter Network LLC
(interpretation in medical settings, legal venues, & business environments via video-conference, phone, or on-site appointments)
4079 Park East Ct SE #103
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616.285.3701
Sheila Rettig, President
srettig@interpreternetwork.net
Languages International
4665 44th St SE, Suite A-1101
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
616.285.0005
Languages Translation Service
PO Box 8573
Grand Rapids, MI 49518
616.530.3029
Spanish Today
160 Sluyter St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
616.249.9050
Translations Unlimited
1455 Forest Hill Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
616.550.7057
translationsu@gmail.com
Leslie Mathews, Director
