Message from the Director
Dear Friends, Supporters, and Community Members,
First, thank you for your patience as I share this long-overdue update. This spring has marked a turning point for Refugee Garden Initiatives (RGI)—the first year that both our Farm Initiative and Empowerment Initiative are fully operating. From planting in the soil to writing curriculum, we’ve been working nonstop.
A Historic April
April was filled with joy and history-making moments. I’m proud to share that Governor Whitmer officially proclaimed April as Lao Heritage Month—a proclamation I had the honor of writing. To know my words are now part of Michigan’s public record means the world to me and our community.
That same month, I received the Excellence in Culture Merit Award from the Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA), recognizing RGI’s mission to uplift culture through food.
I also attended the Sustainable Food Procurement Conference at the University of Michigan, connecting with others passionate about food justice and sustainability. And I was selected as a winning participant in the 1000 Dreams Project, where refugee stories are shared by refugees. Because it truly matters who tells the story.
A Chilly Start to May
The first Saturday in May kicked off the Ypsilanti Farmers Market—a very cold, rainy, and windy day that left me battling bronchitis for nearly a month. It slowed me down, but didn’t stop the work.
Later in May, I attended the Welcoming Interactive in Detroit, hosted by UNHCR, Refugee Congress, and Welcoming America, where I reconnected with the inspiring leaders of the Sparking Change cohort. We shared ideas and stories that affirmed the importance of building welcoming spaces for all.
June: Gardens in Full Bloom
June came quickly, and we are rushing to plant
flowers before the summer heat sets in.
We are excited to share that Governor
Whitmer has officially proclaimed June
20th as World Refugee Day in Michigan.
To celebrate, we’re welcoming a large refugee
family to our new Freedom Garden II. Thanks
to generous volunteers, we transformed an
abandoned plot into a thriving garden space
—with five new galvanized raised beds, tools,
water barrels, and the crops they chose: hot
chili peppers, belll peppers, potatoes, okra,
tomatoes, and herbs.
We moved our Healing Garden, Seng’s
Suane Dok Mai, to a new location at a
local church. In just one month,
we transformed it from an overgrown space into
a haven filled with:
Peonies, dahlias, zinnias, marigolds, sunflowers,
cosmos, and snapdragons
Strawberries, grapes, and SE Asian herbs
Vegetables like bok choy, kale, Chinese
long beans, Chinese
eggplants, and cucumbers
Healing herbs to protect the garden
and soothe the soul
The garden includes a small wooded trail for walking and a nearby playground, creating a true sanctuary for families.
What’s Ahead:
Empowerment & Growth
Our Empowerment Initiative continues to grow. This fall, we’re partnering with local banks and literacy providers to offer:
Financial literacy workshops
ESL classes
These services will support refugees on their journey toward self-sufficiency and are open to new participants starting this fall. Meanwhile, health and wellness education is currently being offered as part of our Healing Garden Summer Series. Through culturally responsive nutrition sessions, yoga and meditation walks, and floral therapy workshops, we are nurturing holistic well-being in a space designed for healing.
Farm to Table, with a Purpose
Our Farm Initiative is blooming. We’ve already sold close to 1,000 heads of lettuce, and radishes and beets are on the way. Grown using regenerative, organic practices, these sales help fund our Empowerment programming and keep RGI sustainable.
As I reflect on the last few months, I’m filled with gratitude—for this work, this community, and all of you who make it possible.
Together, we are planting more than just crops—we are planting stories, memories, and futures.
With gratitude,
Phimmasone Kym Owens
Founder & Executive Director
Refugee Garden Initiatives
Volunteers on The Farm on Jennings - Fall 2024
Who We Are
Refugee Garden Initiatives (RGI) is a
501(c)3 non-profit. RGI emerged in 2021,
sparked by a profound question
during Phimmasone Kym Owens'
Social Work course: "How can you be
an agent of change?" Rooted in her
love for gardening and her own refugee
background, Phimmasone founded RGI.
The pivotal lessons learned during our
2022 prototype garden, primarily from
single refugee mothers, led us to
focus on this underserved and
underrepresented population. However,
RGI’s mission is not limited to single
refugee mothers but extends to all refugees and anyone with lived refugee experiences.
Why Single Refugee Mothers: Through the 2022 prototype garden, we discovered that the majority of our refugee participants were single mothers. Their stories resonated deeply with us, highlighting their underprivileged status and unmet needs. Phimmasone, herself a single refugee mother and a University of Michigan alum, saw an opportunity to leverage her privilege and education. She is driven to pay this forward by providing transformative opportunities to other single refugee mothers.
A Holistic Approach to Thrive: At RGI, we believe in a holistic approach to empower single refugee mothers, ensuring they thrive, not just survive:
Trauma-Informed Care: We recognize the significance of addressing the trauma many refugees carry. Our programs include mental health support and counseling to help participants heal and grow.
Food Security: Our culturally diverse gardens provide sustenance and honor ancestral traditions, alleviating the food security challenges refugees face in a new homeland.
Education: We offer comprehensive ESL programs, along with life and work skills training, empowering participants to engage fully in their new communities.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities: Through entrepreneurship initiatives, we foster self-reliance, giving single refugee mothers the tools they need to succeed.
Amplifying Voices: RGI provides a platform for storytelling and advocacy, ensuring that the experiences, struggles, and dreams of our beneficiaries are heard and acted upon.
Empowering Through Phimmasone's Success: Phimmasone's journey as an entrepreneur stands as a testament to what is possible. Her success inspires us to continue forging pathways for single refugee mothers, offering them opportunities to thrive, succeed, and create brighter futures.
Why Your Support Matters: Your support is the driving force behind our holistic mission. By joining hands with RGI, you empower single refugee mothers to heal, learn, grow, and prosper.
Join us in making a difference—click the "Donate" button below or in the top navigation menu to discover more and make your contribution today.
Refugees working on the prototype garden in 2022
Volunteers assist in the installation of fencing around the perimeter of the 2022 prototype garden
Healing and Sensory Garden will be getting a new facelift in 2025
Board of Directors
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Dr. Suchiraphon (Su) McKeithen-Polish
PRESIDENT
Dr. Suchiraphon (Su) McKeithen-Polish was born and raised in Thailand and lived in various countries due to her father's diplomatic career. She is a highly accomplished and influential figure in the field of bilingual education and community leadership. With a wealth of experience and expertise, she currently serves as a Bilingual Education Program/Title III Consultant at Macomb ISD and is an active member of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) EL Advisory Committee, EL Statewide Network, and the National Association of Bilingual Education. Additionally, she holds the esteemed position of Commissioner of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC) and serves as the President of the Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA).
Dr. Su is also a devoted spouse and parent to three accomplished daughters, each flourishing in their respective fields of study and work.
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Chay Thongthi
SECRETARY
Born in Laos and resettled in the U.S. as a refugee in 1980, Chay Thongthi brings a deep cultural understanding and passion for preserving Lao heritage. She is dedicated to uplifting the next generation through traditional textiles, art, and education. A respected community leader, Chay is actively involved with the Lao community and local Buddhist temples, where she continues to foster cultural connection and continuity. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to honoring her roots while inspiring others to carry them forward.
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Weronika Damek Valvano
TREASURER
Weronika Damek Valvano is a current MPH student in Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
Weronika was born in Poland and resided there until she was 8 years old, when her family immigrated to the United Kingdom. She immigrated to the United States following graduation from a university. Outside of academia and volunteer work, Weronika enjoys hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and growing flowers.