Treetops Collective

“My name is Dowran, I am from Afganistan. We moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan last year. My wife Wahida has been working at Treetops Collective for 1 year. Treetops is a better place for new refugee women where they can build up their talents, skills, and experience, Since Wahida started working at Treetops, she received a lot of support from team members and management, and I see many improvements- both in her language and social communication. She is very happy and she enjoys working at Treetops.”⁠
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Wahida, amongst our other sewists, are thriving here at Treetops, and that positive impact spreads throughout their families as well. They love what they do and are eager for more work, and we're just as eager to keep growing this team. Every alteration you bring in helps us do exactly that.✨️⁠
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Donate to steward the mission (link in bio) or stop by Treetops Tuesday through Thursday, 9 AM-3 PM or shop online anytime. Let us help you catch up on alterations while supporting refugee and immigrant workforce development at the same time. No appointment required!⁠
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Learn more about our available services at https://treetopscollective.org/pages/our-makerspace⁠
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*Please note, our shop, alterations, and café will be closed from June 29-July 10 for a time of rest and renewal*⁠
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A busy and fun week ahead at Treetops! 🌿⁠
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Tuesday 12-1pm, sneak away for lunch and join us for Ink & Impact, where we're focusing on Language Access in Michigan elections, expanding translated voting materials and helping non-English speakers navigate the voting process. Come help us make a difference!📝⁠
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Thursday 10-11:30am, World Explorers Club takes kids ages 4-10 to Venezuela🇻🇪 through story, food, language, and activity. A perfect way to get the kids out of the house this summer! Parents, treat yourself to handcrafted cookies, chai, matcha, and qahwa from Cookies & Qahwa while you're there. A few spots still available at givebutter.com/worldexplorers26 ⁠
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Our new "We are pieces of the same quilt" shirts are now available!🧵Debuted at our World Refugee Day Block Party, each quilt square draws from traditional textile patterns around the world- Mapuche patterns from Chile & Argentina, Egyptian quilted tent panels, Kente cloth from Ghana, Islamic geometric designs, and Nepali Dhaka weaves. Add one to your summer wardrobe and spark meaningful conversations wherever you go.⁠
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Café open this week, Tuesday-Thursday 9–3 as usual. 📌 ⁠
Please note: shop and café closed June 29-July 10 for rest and renewal.⁠
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Happy World Refugee Day to our entire community 🎉⁠
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Resilience and loss. Love and grief. Hope and new beginnings. Every refugee carries a story shaped by all of it — and today, we celebrate them! Their courage, their traditions, their creativity, and the gifts they bring to our community every single day. This past year, in particular, refugees and immigrants in our community have faced increased fear, uncertainty and narratives that try to draw away from what is true of our newest neighbors and friends. But Today we get to celebrate a different story!! We get to celebrate the wonder and beauty, joy, culture, and brilliance of refugees right here in West Michigan.⁠
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Our theme this year is- We are all pieces of this same quilt — different threads, different colors, different journeys, woven together into something stronger. So join us today as we celebrate the power of a community committed to belonging and radical welcome. 🌱 ⁠
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Come eat, shop, create, connect, and celebrate the stories, the joy, and the beauty of our refugee neighbors and friends. ⁠
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Do not forget your piece of fabric for the community quilt and throw on that Treetops shirt! See you out there! 🌍🧡⁠
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Tomorrow is the day we’ve all been waiting for! 🎉 The World Refugee Day Block Party is almost here and we have some special surprises in store for you.⁠
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Shop Rooted Together Shop Summer Sale! Grab summer favorites at 50% off in-store, online, and during the block party! While supplies last. 🛍️☀️⁠
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Strike a pose at our photo booth, try your luck at the raffles, and catch one of our Documentary Screenings throughout the day. 🎬✨⁠
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Have a piece of fabric at home? Bring it! We are building our We Are Pieces of the Same Quilt wall together and your contribution will help make it complete.🧵 We also have shirts of our theme for this year's World Refugee Day available for purchase. Designed by our very own talented Graphic Designer, Lauren!⁠
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And if you own a Treetops shirt, wear it tomorrow. Let's show up together. ⁠
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See you very soon!🧡⁠
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💛🌍TWO DAYS🌍❤️ And we are bringing our own mini artisan market to the block party! ⁠
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Come show some love to these amazing Treetops Makers this Saturday:⁠
📿 Hanifa is selling her stunning handmade bracelets⁠
🤩 Louds will have steamer pots⁠
🏺 Brianna is bringing beautiful handcrafted pottery⁠
💍 Marialis will have a gorgeous jewelry collection available for purchase⁠
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Time to highlight some of our exciting guests! This Saturday at our World Refugee Day Block Party, you’ll find Legal Aid ready to answer your questions, Democracy Café sparking civic conversations, Fifth Third Mobile eBus bringing financial access to you, Momsbloom supporting mothers and families, West MI Welcome Plan connecting newcomers to our community, and Healing in Arts using creativity as a path to healing. Our event is only 3 days away, and we can't believe it!✨❤️⁠
See you soon!⁠
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T-minus 4 days until World Refugee Day Block Party!☀️⁠
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This event is packed with something for everyone. Bounce house and face painting for the little ones. Henna, braiding, and bracelet making for the whole crew. Yoga and chair massages when you need a moment to breathe. 🧘‍♀️✨⁠
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Gather for story time and pour your heart into our community quilt craft.⁠
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Come as you are and leave feeling fulfilled in every way. See you Saturday! 🌍❤️⁠
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The countdown is on! 5 days away from something special. 💛 The food lineup at this year’s World Refugee Day Block Party has something for everyone! We're bringing the flavors. Think authentic Venezuelan arepas, cachapas & tequenos from Belkis Bistro, African & African-American heritage dishes with bold fusions from Street Chef Shaw, savory Afghani kebabs & traditional breads from Rumi's Garden, and finish it off with handmade tres leches, tiramisu & rice pudding from Latin Sweet Bakes. Plus, free tastings of cafe treats and drinks- and don't miss our Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. See you there! ☀️⁠
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Treetops Summer Featured Artist- Nedithfaro ❤️

Featured at ArtPrize, Nedith’s stunning photograph “Las aguadoras, a ritual from Uruapan Michoacán” will be on display in our café during the event and throughout the summer.

This powerful piece honors Indigenous Purépecha women, their traditions, and the sacred act of carrying water, culture, and story. A photograph that feels like a memory being passed from one woman to another.

🖼️ Limited 8x10 prints of her piece will be available for purchase at Rooted Together Shop during our World Refugee Day Block Party on June 20, 4-7pm. Take a piece of this story home with you.

Are you interested in being our next featured artist? DM us!