About Us
Our Mission
The mission of The Global Institute of Lansing (GIL) is to provide educational services to adult refugees and immigrants that enable them to earn a high school diploma in an atmosphere of peace, respect, encouragement, and inspiration.
Dedicated to Education
The Global Institute of Lansing is a non-profit organization that aims to provide adult newcomers settled in the Lansing area educational assistance and the means to attain a high school diploma in an atmosphere of peace, respect, encouragement, and inspiration.
At GIL, we believe that newcomers are invaluable members of our community and, as such, deserve an accessible, quality education. We aim to build a stronger, more inclusive society by engaging those most in need of assistance and providing them greater self-sufficiency and economic opportunity through education.
The Issue and Our Solution
For over 45 years, Lansing has been a leader in refugee resettlement. Many refugees come to Lansing in their late teenage years or as adults and are often unable to complete the credits needed to graduate high school with a diploma before they age out. This is a typical occurrence for young refugees, regardless of educational history or English language fluency (although these are additional challenges for many refugees).
Failing to engage newcomers with the support they need to obtain a high school diploma has inhibited the contributive potential of the refugee and immigrant community within Lansing and, if not adequately addressed, is sure to have a severe and sustained negative impact on the struggling Lansing economy.
GIL is the only organization of this kind in the Lansing area and the only viable access these students have to obtain diplomas. Although some GED programs exist, the GED tests tend to be insurmountable for English Language Learners (ELL). The GIL solution is to provide newcomers with a supportive, educational environment where English can be practiced and learned while other academic subject areas are mastered.