Kentwood Community Church opens immigrant connection office, chaplain tells commission

Jerry DeRider, Kentwood police chaplain and elder at Kentwood Community Church, told the Kentwood City Commission on Jan. 7 that the church has opened an immigrant connection office and has received federal approval to begin operations.

DeRider said the office received official word from the federal government that the necessary paperwork was complete and the office could open its doors. "Given our community and what we have, the opportunity to do, that's a very good thing and so we're looking forward to that," he said.

Commissioner Moore said he had written a letter of support and noted other church activities that address community needs, including childcare, residential housing assistance and help with immigrants' legal issues. "A lot's going on at KCC, whether it be childcare, residential housing, taking care of that need, or helping the immigrants with legal issues and just trying to help out," Moore said.

Why it matters: The new office is intended to provide local assistance for immigrants with legal and other needs; the church also operates other community services that commissioners described as benefiting local residents. DeRider and commissioners framed the development as a community-led service coordinated with other local efforts.

No formal commission action was recorded on the announcement; the remarks were made during the meeting's opening non-agenda remarks.

What was said (selected): "We've opened up an immigrant connection office ... they got the official word from the federal government that they've done all of the necessary paperwork and so they can open the door," DeRider said. Commissioner Moore added that he had written a letter in support and described KCC's ongoing community programs.

The commission moved on to its agenda after the non-agenda remarks and no vote was associated with the announcement.