Mission statement: Empowering Refugees Through Food, Resources, and Storytelling

Message from the Director

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As summer fades into fall, the season reminds us of the

rewards of hard work and the promise of renewal.

The mornings are crisp, students are heading back to

school, and on the farm we are harvesting and planting

at the same time—making the most of Michigan’s short

growing season. Our Healing Garden has been freshly

tended, and the flowers are blooming beautifully just

in time for our upcoming fundraiser on September 14th.

If you haven’t had a chance yet, we’d love for you to RSVP

or sponsor the program through the Event RSVP tab.

This year has been both exciting and challenging for

Refugee Garden Initiatives. As a young nonprofit, and in our very first year of launching the farm program, we’ve

been learning and adjusting through every step. Like many small organizations, we’ve had to carefully balance

resources with the growing needs of our community. What stands out most to me is the resilience of our team,

volunteers, and refugee participants—turning challenges into opportunities and finding ways to keep moving

forward. We remain hopeful for the future. Our focus now is on streamlining what we’ve built, strengthening

partnerships, and ensuring that RGI can continue creating spaces where refugees are empowered through food,

resources, and storytelling. Your support—whether by attending our fundraiser, volunteering, or making a

contribution—helps us sustain this important work. Together, we are planting more than crops; we are planting

resilience, belonging, and hope for the future.

With gratitude,
Phimmasone Kym Owens

Refugees working on the prototype garden in 2022

Farmer Claire and Farmer Violet with Executive Director Phimmasone

Community outreach

A Holistic Approach to Thrive:

At RGI, we believe in a holistic approach to empower refugees, ensuring they thrive, not just survive:

Violet, our dedicated Farm Manager, in action. At RGI, we are committed to empowering refugees and uplifting our community—especially women farmers who are breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. With the right opportunities, resources, and support, we believe women like Violet and the rest of the farm team can achieve anything they set their minds to.

Healing and Sensory Garden 2025

Youth educators at the first annual 2025 Lao Arts and Culture Camp of Michigan founded by the Laotian American Communty of Michigan (LACM).

Food Security

At RGI, we cultivate culturally diverse gardens that provide fresh, nourishing produce while honoring ancestral farming traditions. For refugees, food is more than sustenance—it is identity and health. Our bodies are genetically adapted over generations to thrive on the foods of our cultures, much like how some people have allergies to certain foods. For example, many Southeast Asians cannot easily digest dairy because it has never been a staple in their diets. Refugees deserve access to the foods that support their health, not pressure to assimilate into processed foods often provided in the U.S. We aim to change the narrative that refugees should be grateful for any “free food,” instead advocating for culturally appropriate foods as a vital part of food security and dignity.

Trauma-Informed Care

We recognize the deep impact of displacement and war on refugee communities and advocate for trauma-informed care that is culturally responsive. Healing cannot be one-size-fits-all. Just as doctors must know a patient’s health history to prescribe the best treatment, therapists and care providers must consider a refugee’s cultural background to provide effective, respectful support. What is considered appropriate care in one culture may be harmful or ineffective in another. Our programs integrate this understanding into wellness practices—such as gardening therapy, yoga, and floral workshops—creating safe spaces where participants can heal and reconnect.

Education

At RGI, we know the poverty rate is disproportionately high for women and BIPOC communities due to systemic barriers. Refugees face these same barriers alongside the trauma of displacement, limited resources, and language obstacles. It is not enough to simply survive after fleeing a war-torn country—refugees need resources and education to thrive. That’s why we provide English as a Second Language (ESL), financial literacy, and life/work skills programs designed to uplift community members from poverty. For refugees, this education restores dignity that was lost in displacement, equipping them with tools for independence and long-term stability.

Amplifying Voices

Representation matters. RGI was founded by a refugee for refugees, creating a platform where lived experiences are not only shared but drive meaningful change. Too often, refugees are talked about rather than listened to. Through storytelling, advocacy, and leadership opportunities, we ensure that refugee voices are heard, respected, and positioned to influence systems, policies, and perceptions. Refugees are the best representatives of their own stories, and at RGI, we make sure those stories carry weight and lead to action.