Battle Creek’s Burma Center marked a milestone this weekend, celebrating fifteen years of service with its annual Friendraiser. The event brought together families, supporters, and community partners to honor the nonprofit’s role in helping Burmese refugees and immigrants settle into life in the region.

From refugee to restaurateur

When Za Nei Thuai arrived in Michigan as a refugee from Burma in 2013, she struggled to find work. The Burma Center assisted her by preparing a résumé and connecting her with local resources. With that support, she eventually opened her own restaurant, Suipis, where she now serves as chef and owner. “I want to show love to everybody with what I cook,” she said, noting that sharing her food at the Friendraiser is a way to give back.

Community services that bridge gaps

Executive Director Christina Khim explained that the center began as a small grassroots effort, backed by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, offering English classes, employment assistance, and connections to essential resources. Today, the organization estimates that between 2,500 and nearly 3,000 Burmese people live in the Battle Creek area, a figure gathered from local Burmese churches rather than a formal census.

Families continue to rely on the center for help with job applications, medical appointments, bill payments, interpretation, translation, and other day‑to‑day needs. “Our role is like bridging our community members to the resources and guiding them and connecting them,” Khim said.

Friendraiser emphasizes relationships

The Friendraiser’s focus on friendship is intentional, Khim noted. Building relationships with individuals, churches, schools, and local businesses has allowed the center to expand its programs and deepen its impact. Attendees can volunteer with youth programs, assist with facility maintenance, become program partners, or donate to sustain the work.

“We feel loved, we feel seen, and we hope that we will be able to continue partnering and walking alongside this community for the next 15 years,” Khim added.

Looking ahead

As the Burma Center looks to the future, its leadership hopes that the network of supporters will keep growing, ensuring that new arrivals and established families alike have a trusted place to turn for assistance. The organization’s continued success underscores the power of local compassion and the importance of faith‑based, family‑centered outreach in strengthening neighborhoods.

Original reporting: FOX 17 WXMI Grand Rapids (local) — read the source article.