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

Message from the Director

It’s October, and the mornings have turned crisp. On my drives to the farm, I find peace in the cool air and the colors of autumn unfolding across the trees. As the season winds down, our team is busy harvesting, preparing the soil, and getting our growing spaces ready for the winter months ahead.

Last month’s Farm-to-Table Fundraiser was a truly special evening. My heartfelt thanks to Chef Duc Tang of Ann Arbor’s Pacific Rim for leading the exquisite five-course meal. Your generosity, talent, and time were a gift to us all. Deep gratitude also goes out to our dedicated volunteers, who gave their evenings and weekends to help make the event a night to remember. We couldn’t have asked for better weather — a cool evening under a softly lit tent surrounded by the garden’s beauty.

To all who attended and supported our event, thank you. Your belief in our mission keeps Refugee Garden Initiatives thriving. Your support helps us continue empowering refugees through food, resources, and storytelling — and reminds us that the seeds of change we plant together truly grow.

This fall, we also welcome new members to our Board of Directors, each bringing their own experiences, skills, and heart to RGI. Together, we are building a stronger foundation for the future, one rooted in compassion, cultural understanding, and shared purpose.

As we finish the season’s harvest, we take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come — and how much work remains ahead. RGI continues to stand firmly for refugee rights and human dignity. We are proud to support peaceful voices advocating for justice, democracy, and a better future for all who seek safety and opportunity here.

In these changing seasons — both in nature and in our world — let’s continue cultivating resilience, hope, and community. The American Dream should be a promise for all who call this country home.

With gratitude and hope,
Phimmasone Kym Owens
Founder & Executive Director
Refugee Garden Initiatives (RGI)

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.