Eight Themes for Welcoming Week 2018
It’s a time of immense challenges for the communities we serve, many of whom are living in fear. We are becoming polarized, and many Americans have been uprooted by the sense that they no longer belong. At the same time, many people are standing up for their neighbors and affirming that our country is a place for everyone. New and longtime residents can all be part of the fabric of our shared future.
For Welcoming Week 2018, please think about how you can be a welcomer and put action behind the positive values which bind us as a community. Here are eight themes of immigrant inclusion and event highlights. Let’s celebrate the values that unite us as family, neighbors, parents, and allies!
#1 Resilience, immigrants, and your community – in film and discussions
- “Not In Our Town” – Film Screening and Discussion (Dayton, OH), “Who is Dayani Cristal?” (Legal Aid Justice Center, VA), “Know Your Neighbor” (Charlottesville, VA), “Hearing the Voices” (Project FINE, MN), “I am Rebecca” (Jewish Vocational Services, MO), “8 Borders, 8 Days” (Winona, MN)
#2 Welcoming Refugees & Keeping Families Together
- Refugee Sunday: Community Lunch and Day of Action (Hearts & Homes for Refugees – Westchester, NY)
- First Responders Meet & Greet with Refugee Families (Open Doors for Refugees – Madison, WI)
- FamiliesBelongTogether
#3 Citizenship workshops and naturalization ceremonies – Sept 17 national citizenship day
- Check-out US Citizenship preparation class (Lincoln, NE) or volunteer at a naturalization clinic (Sioux City, IA) throughout the week.
- Anchorage, AK; Madison, WI; Austin, MN; Philadelphia, PA; Indianapolis, IN; Miami, FL; Winona, MN, Atlanta, GA; St. Louis, MO; Seattle, WA ; Salt Lake County, UT
#4 Welcoming Schools – Making sure it’s a welcoming place for all.
- “One Girl’s Incredible Journey from War-Torn Syria in a Wheelchair” (West Palm Beach, FL)
- International Student Welcome at the Univ. of Colorado (Denver, CO), Keck Graduate Institute (Claremont, CA), Johns Hopkins SAIS (Washington, DC), Hormel Institute, U. of Minnesota (Austin, MN), Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA), Washington University (St. Louis, MO), Florida International Univ. (Miami, FL), Univ. of Hawaii (Hilo, HI), Heidelberg Univ. (Tiffin, OH), Kennesaw State Univ. (Kennesaw, GA), Xavier Univ. (New Orleans, LA) and many more!
#5 Voting Registration & Engagement – mid-term elections are almost 45 days away!
- Sample resources: League of Women’s Voters, The Love Vote, and Vote411.org
- Sample event: South Sioux City, Nebraska
#6 Immigrant Entrepreneurship & Welcoming Economies – Fueling the competitiveness of local companies and economies.
- Sample events: Explore your Community – Ethnic Business Tour (Austin, MN); All for All Summit – Role of immigrants in entrepeneurship and the local economy (Pittsburgh, PA); Immigrant Entrepreneurship – challenging barriers, greatest successes, and insights into the business community (Champaign, IL)
#7 Global Day of Peace – Pause a moment in silence at noon local time across the globe. #DayofPeace
- Sample events: Fargo, ND; Philadelphia, PA; Seattle, WA
#8 Cities Defining Welcoming for Immigrants & All
- Sample events: How St. Louis Welcomes Immigrants, Refugees and other Internationals (St. Louis, MO); Communicating with Newcomers: A Cross Cultural Training Workshop for Indianapolis Service Providers (Indianapolis, IN)
- Nationally: Test How Welcoming is Your Community