Our Mission

African Community Kalamazoo (ACF) was founded with a clear mission: to support and empower African refugees—and eventually all refugee families, by addressing both their urgent needs and long-term goals for self-sufficiency. At its core, ACF operates with a deep commitment to faith, compassion, and cultural understanding. The organization provides services that span across essential areas of life, including housing support, food distribution, ESL classes, diaper and baby item assistance, job readiness programs, legal support for immigration paperwork, and spiritual care. Each service is designed to help refugees transition from crisis toward stability and independence.

The organization’s mission goes beyond survival. ACF’s vision is to help families build full, meaningful lives in Kalamazoo County—economically, socially, and emotionally. The goal is not simply to provide charity, but to restore dignity and build capacity in every family served. Whether it’s helping parents find stable work, ensuring children are enrolled in school, or teaching newcomers how to navigate the public transportation system, ACF creates space for refugees to thrive and take ownership of their futures. These efforts are guided by a belief in the power of community, faith, and collective resilience.

The reason ACF was started lies in the personal story and leadership of Pastor Joshua Kibezi, a Congolese refugee himself. After arriving in Michigan, Pastor Kibezi noticed a troubling gap in support systems for African refugees—especially those facing language barriers and cultural isolation. While larger agencies provided basic resettlement services, many families were left without ongoing help in navigating daily life. Driven by compassion and a calling to serve, Pastor Kibezi began assisting families directly through translation, food delivery, and advocacy. With the support of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, he expanded his work into an official nonprofit. Today, ACF stands as a vital bridge between refugee families and the broader community, grounded in a mission of empowerment, justice, and hope.