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
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
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
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
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)
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.
Take the next step:
ACADEMIC OPTIONS
With over 100 majors and programs, you’re bound to find something you love.
Browse by category
- Arts
- Business
- Communication & Media Studies
- Education
Undergraduate education
- Early Childhood
- Elementary Grade Bands
- Art: Pre-K to 12th Grade
- French: Pre-K to 12th Grade
- Health & PE: Pre-K to 12th Grade
- Spanish: Pre-K to 12th Grade
- Special Education
- TESOL: Pre-K to 12th Grade
- Secondary Education
- English: 5th to 9th Grade
- Math: 5th to 9th Grade
- Science: 5th to 9th Grade
- Social Studies: 5th to 9th Grade
- English: 7th to 12th Grade
- Math: 7th to 12th Grade
- Science: 7th to 12th Grade
- Social Studies: 7th to 12th Grade
- Health Sciences
- Exercise Science
- Kinesiology (Pre-professional Emphasis)
- Nursing
- One Health
- Pre-Dentistry
- Pre-Medicine
- Pre-Occupational Therapy
- Pre-Optometry
- Pre-Pharmacy
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Pre-Physician Assistant
- Pre-Podiatry
- Pre-Veterinary
- Public Health
- Recreation Leadership
- Speech Pathology and Audiology (BA, MA)
- Master of Speech Pathology
- Theraputic Recreation
- Humanities
- Ministry
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- World Languages & Cultural Studies
Apply to Calvin
It all starts here! We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. All completed applications receive equal consideration.
Start your journey
Visit Calvin
Find the visit option that works best for you and get a taste for life at Calvin!
Browse Visit Options Launch the virtual tour
Request Info
Learn why Calvin’s dedication to faith and discovery have earned it the rank of #3 among regional Midwest universities.
Loading...
Costs & Financial Aid
Families from all economic backgrounds—many just like yours—are making Calvin work. Scholarships, grants and loans are the tools that make Calvin possible.
Explore financial aid & Scholarships How much does Calvin cost?