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Spanish Community

Academics / Departments & Programs / Spanish / Student Experience / Spanish Activities / Spanish Community

If you're learning Spanish at Calvin, you won't just study it in the classroom; you'll experience it in Grand Rapids. With over 29,000 Hispanics living in Grand Rapids (that's about 16 percent of the city's population!), it isn't too difficult to discover ways to use your Spanish in the community. Whether you volunteer to 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 Greater Grand Rapids
(Volunteer)
1050 Fuller Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616-456-8661
Lunes–Viernes, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Arbor Circle
(Counseling, education, prevention programs, & more)
1115 Ball Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505 
616-456-6571
info@arborcircle.org 

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
info@ccwestmi.org 

Cherry Street Health Services
(Various health services for low-income families) 
Heart of the City Health Center:
100 Cherry St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-965-8200 
*Visit website for hours as well as more locations across Grand Rapids

Clínica Santa María 
(Bilingual staff providing health care and counseling for underserved, homeless, migrants, and uninsured)
730 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616-685-8400
Lunes–Viernes: 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
Martes: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

Exalta Health
Sarah Pegman, Volunteer Coordinator
spegman@exaltahealth.org
616-475-8446 ext. 116
Volunteer interest form at website

Goodwill Industries 
(Vocational training)
3035 Prairie St SW
Grandville, MI 49418 
616-532-4200

Hispanic Center of Western Michigan 
*Always looking for volunteers - do not need to be fluent*
(Family support services, adult education, youth services, and more)
1204 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616-742-0200
Lunes–Viernes: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. 

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 
616-246-0598
Juan Farias-Gonzalez, Director
jfarias@dioceseofgrandrapids.org

Mel Trotter Ministries
*Volunteers for interpretation needed*
(Shelter, food, education, biblical studies, computer-based learning, and work training for those in need) 
225 Commerce Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
General service line: 616-454-8249

Migrant Legal Aid 
(Offers a variety of legal services to migrant workers)
1104 Fuller Ave NE 
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616-454-5055

Refugee Resettlement (Bethany Christian Services)
(Assists refugee families in resettling in West Michigan)
901 Eastern Ave. NE 
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616-238-4269
616-224-7550 to volunteer

Roosevelt Park Ministries
*Always looking for volunteers — call or fill out a volunteer application on the website* 
(ESL & literacy services, teen/youth programs, family enrichment programs, income tax preparation, and bilingual counseling)
1530 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616-475-5881
Lunes–Viernes: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
(Promotes and assists Hispanic-owned business leaders through educational workshops and more) 
2007 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616-452-3960


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Bookstores

Editorial Portavoz
(Publishing company for materials in Spanish)
2450 Oak Industrial Drive NE 
Grand Rapids, MI 49505 
616-451-4775 
portavoz@portavoz.com

Libros Desafío
1700 28th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508 
1-800-426-8355
ventas@librosdesafio.org
info@librosdesafio.org 
Lunes–Viernes: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Michigan Church Supply
360 Division St S, Suite 1B
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-245-2251
Lunes–Viernes: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sábado 9 a.m.-1 p.m.


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Churches

Casa del Rey
Victor y Lupe Morales, Pastores
2143 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49509
616-243-4505 
contacto@lacasadelrey.org
Domingo: 10:30 a.m.
Miércoles: 7:30 p.m.

Cathedral of Saint Andrew (Catholic)
Church Location:
301 Sheldon Blvd. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Domingo, 12 p.m.
Parish Office:
215 Sheldon Blvd. SE
616-456-1454
Lunes-Jueves: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Viernes: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Eastern Avenue CRC
514 Eastern Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-454-4888
eacrc@eacrc.org
Domingo: 11 a.m. (Bilingual service)

Iglesia Cristiana Reformada Emanuel
1265 36th St SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
emanuelcrc@gmail.com
Domingo: 11 a.m. y 5 p.m.

Iglesia de Dios Nueva Jerusalén
255 28th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49548 
616-570-1249
Andrés Garcia, Pastor
pastorandres1@netzero.com

Iglesia Evangélica de Restauración
2788 Woodward Ave SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
616-257-3983 
Domingo: 10 a.m.
Viernes: 7 p.m.

*Note: Women and men sit on opposite sides of the church. Women also cover their heads and wear long skirts.*

Iglesia Nueva Vida (Grand Rapids First)
2100 44th St SW
Wyoming, MI 49519 
616-531-2100 ext. 111 for Hispanic Ministry Center, ext. 148 for Pastor
Domingo: 9 a.m. en (Español), 11 a.m. (en inglés traducido al Español)
Miércoles: 7 p.m. 

Jonathan Espinoza, Pastor
hispanicministries@grandrapidsfirst.org

La Nueva Esperanza (United Methodist Church)
1005 Evergreen St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616-560-4207
lanuevaesperanza7@yahoo.com 
Nohemi V. Ramirez, Pastor
Domingo: 10 a.m. – Escuela Dominical
Domingo: 11:30 a.m. – Servicio de Adoración
Martes: 7 p.m. – Estudio Bíblico y oración

St. Joseph the Worker (Catholic)
225 32nd St SW
Wyoming, MI 49548
616-456-7982
Sábado: 5 p.m. (Bilingual)
Domingo: 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. (en Español)


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Newspapers

El Vocero Hispano
2818 Vineland Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508 
616-246-6023
Andrés Abreu, Editor
editor@elvocerous.com

Lazo Cultural
2500 E. Beltline Ave. SE, STE G #118
Grand Rapids, MI 49546 
616-977-0658
staff@lazocultural.com

La Voz (Bilingual)
1066 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616-243-9090


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Radio

WMUK FM 102.1
Western Michigan University 
1903 West Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
269-387-5715
“Alma Latina” – Music and community info
Domingo: 4 p.m.

WYCE FM 88.1
711 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 
616-459-4788
"El Mundo Musical" – Mexican hits
Oscar Zuniga, Host 
Lunes-Viernes: 5 a.m.–7 a.m.
Sábado-Domingo: 6 a.m.–8 a.m.


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Restaurants

El Arriero
2948 28th St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
616-977-2674 
Lunes-Jueves: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Viernes-Sábado: 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Domingo: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

El Sombrero Restaurant
527 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 
616-451-4290 
Lunes-Sábado: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Maggie’s Kitchen
*Offers student discounts*
636 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 
616-458-8583
Domingo, Cerrado
Lunes-Jueves: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Viernes-Sábado: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

San Chez, a Tapas Bistro
38 Fulton St W
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616-774-8272 
Lunes-Jueves: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Viernes-Sábado: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

Tacos El Cuñado
455 Burton St SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Domingo-Jueves: 9 a.m.-12 a.m.
Viernes-Sábado: 9 a.m.-3 a.m.
*See website for other locations around Grand Rapids

Taqueria San Jose
1338 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Lunes-Jueves: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Viernes-Sábado: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.


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Schools

ESL or Bilingual Programs

Brookside Elementary
2505 Madison Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507 
616-819-2242 
Denishea Killingham, Principal
killinghamd@grps.org

Buchanan Elementary
1775 Buchanan Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49507 
616-819-2252 
Evelyn Ortiz, Principal
ortize@grps.org

Burton Elementary
2133 Buchanan Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49507 
616-819-2262 
Allison Woodside de Carillo, Principal
WoodsidedecarilloA@grps.org 

Burton Middle
2133 Buchanan Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616-819-2269
Michael Perez, Principal
Perezm@grps.org

Cesar E. Chavez Elementary
1205 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616-819-2560 
Aimee Garcia, Principal
garciaai@grpublicschools.org

Congress Elementary
940 Baldwin St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616-819-2201
Erek Kooyman, Principal
kooymane@grps.org

Dickinson Cultural Center
*Not a language center school, offers ESL, and has a Spanish language requirement*
448 Dickinson Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616-819-2505

Gerald R. Ford Academic Center
*Not a language center school, offers ESL, and has a Spanish language requirement*
851 Madison Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616-819-2640
Jerry McComb, Principal
mccombj@grps.org

Harrison Park
1441 Davis Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616-819-2565
Troy Wilbon, Principal
wilbont@grps.org

Palmer Elementary
309 Palmer St NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
616-819-2929
Leanne Lange, Principal
langel@grps.org

Sherwood Park Global Studies Academy
*Not a language center school, offers ESL, and has a Spanish language requirement*
3859 Chamberlain Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
616-819-3095
Sherrie Ross, Principal 
rosss@grps.org

Sibley Elementary
943 Sibley St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616-819-3100
Roselyn Charles-Maher, Principal 
charlesmaherr@grps.org

Westwood Middle School
1525 Mount Mercy Dr, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 
616-819-3322
Dennis Branson, Principal 
bransond@grps.org 

FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) Programs

Ada Christian School (grades 3-8)
6206 Ada Dr SE
Ada, MI 49301 
616-676-1289 
Melissa Brower, Principal
mbrower@adachristian.org

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish School (grades PreK-8)
1429 Wilcox Park Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 46506 
616-458-4228 
Suzi Furtwangler, Principal
sfurtwangler@stthomasgr.org

Immersion Programs

Ada Vista Spanish Immersion Program (grades K-4)
[Forest Hills Public Schools]
7192 Bradfield SE
Ada, MI 49301 
616-493-8970 
Patrick Stecco, Principal
pstecco@fhps.net 

Grand Rapids Christian Elementary School (grades PreK-2)
1050 Iroquois Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506 
616-574-6500 
Mark Krommendyk, Principal
mkrommendyk@grcs.org
Sara Seth, Spanish Immersion Coordinator
sseth@grcs.org

NorthPointe Christian Schools (grades PreK-3) 
540 Russwood St NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
616-363-4869 
Kari Huckaby, Director 
huckabyk@npchristian.org

Southwest Community Campus – dual language program (grades PreK-8)
[Grand Rapids Public Schools]
801 Oakland SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616-819-2947
Carlos Delabarrera, Principal 
delabarrerac@grps.org 

K-12 Spanish Programs

East Grand Rapids Public Schools (grades 1-12)     
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: 
2400 Plymouth Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506 
616-574-6000
Tom DeJonge, Superintendent
tdejonge@grcs.org

The Potter's House Elementary/Middle School & High School (grades PreK-12)
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 
jbooy@pottershouseschool.org


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Stores

El Matador Tortilla Factory
45 Franklin St SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616-241-1121

La Familia Stop-N-Shop
(Puerto Rican)
1066 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616-608-5953

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


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Television

Esperanza TV
(24-hour Spanish programming, available online)

GRTV - Cable channel 25
711 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504 
616-459-4788

WKTV - Channel 25 in Wyoming & Kentwood, U-Verse channel 99
5261 Clyde Park Ave SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
616-261-5700

Univisión 
(24-hour Spanish programming; videos available online)


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Translation and Interpretation Services

Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
*Always looking for volunteers, do not have to be fluent - see also the Translation Internship
1204 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-742-0200

Languages International
9028 N Rogers Dr SE Suite D
Caledonia, MI 49316
616-285-0005
chris@lang-int.com

STI Translations 
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 / 616-942-5742
translationsu@gmail.com

Voices for Health 
(Interpreting, translation, education, consultation, video interpretation in over 200 languages)
426 Plymouth Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
616-233-6505
info@voicesforhealth.com 
Lunes–Viernes: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.


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