News & Resources
Access to Housing, Disaster Relief, and Homelessness Assistance Programs for Immigrants
This webinar aired on December 2, 2021. This webinar covers public assistance services and how immigration status affects — or doesn’t affect — one’s ability to receive assistance in housing, disaster relief, and/or homelessness. SPEAKERS: Wafa Dinaro, Director of Economic Development, Wayne County, Michigan Kate Walz, Senior Attorney, National Housing Law Project Luz Viviana Meza,…
Community Sponsorship of Refugees: Methods and Examples
This webinar took place on November 17, 2021 Community sponsorship provides an avenue for individuals, groups, and organizations to participate in the resettlement of refugees. This webinar will explore the various community sponsorship models and provide resources for communities wanting to take part in supporting refugee families. If you’re looking to better understand the options…
Cómo Establecer y Mantener la Gestión Inclusiva de Emergencias con las Poblaciones de Inmigrantes y Refugiades
“La Lista de Verificación para la Gestión Inclusiva de Emergencias con las Poblaciones de Inmigrantes y Refugiades” — creada en colaboración con el Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management — tiene como objetivo contribuir al fortalecimiento de los planes de preparación para emergencias existentes. Para ello, se asegurará que les inmigrantes y refugiades…
Unaccompanied Minors: Changing the Narrative & Taking Action
This webinar took place on November 3, 2021 This webinar features a panel of distinguished speakers from a variety of agencies working to provide support to unaccompanied minors in the United States. During the conversation, our panelists: Highlight key policies that provide context for what is occurring at the U.S. – Mexico border. Describe who…
Tips to Build & Sustain a Locally Welcoming Infrastructure
Following the U.S. government’s departure from Afghanistan in August 2021, Welcoming America and a cadre of partners created this toolkit for community leaders managing arrivals of Afghan refugees. It offers four key tips to creating an equitable and welcoming environment, including mobilizing a multi-sector response group; creating a We Welcome Fund; sharing messages of welcome; and changing policy at the federal, state, and local levels.
New Homes for New Refugees: A Template for Creating a Welcoming Landlord Network in Your Community
This webinar brought together key organizers of the City of Pittsburgh’s “Renting to Refugees” initiative to discuss how they executed the effort and how similar organizations can potentially implement a similar strategy in your own community. Topics of discussion will include convening cross-sector stakeholders to increase the reach of your initiative, maximizing the effectiveness of…
Welcoming Week 2021: Best Practices and Resources to Plan Your Events
Planning to celebrate Welcoming Week 2021 this September? Watch this webinar to learn more about this year’s Welcoming Week strategy and ways to participate! You’ll get access to resources, insights, and tips to help with planning your own event during Welcoming Week (September 10-19) as well as introduce this year’s theme, share the toolkit and…
Resettlement Strategies: Learning from National Examples & Local Actors
Presented by Welcoming America and Boston University, this two-part webinar provides a broad understanding of how the resettlement system works in the United States, how it differs from other systems, and what challenges it has undergone over the past three years. Part one of this series took place on May 26, 2021 and part two…
Engaging Public Sector Stakeholders to Prepare for Welcoming More Refugees
This webinar was hosted and organized by Switchboard on April 7, 2021. Switchboard is a resource hub for refugee service providers in the United States. Welcoming America staff presented on this timely topic using knowledge and examples from the Welcoming Network. Speakers: Christina Pope, Senior Network Director George Zavala, Western Regional Manager As refugee service…
Integrating Immigrants into Civic Life
Presented by the National Civic League, this webinar features Welcoming America’s Certified Welcoming Director Melissa Bertolo and two communities empowering immigrant leaders. The webinar covers innovative ways nonprofits, city, and county governments are including and welcoming immigrants in all areas of civic, social, and economic life. Speakers: Melissa Bertolo, Certified Welcoming Director, Welcoming America Sabeen…