Advancing Welcome Across the Globe: Welcoming International

As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Founding of Welcoming America, there has never been a more urgent time for welcomers around the world to come together, and we are gratified to see the global work thrive and grow stronger every day! Today, around 250 communities around the world are part of the international…

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How advocates can advance immigrant workforce issues at the state and local level

This post originally appeared at National Skills Coalition, authored by Amanda Bergson-Shilocock. As Welcoming Week prepares to kick off, with hundreds of events scheduled around the country, National Skills Coalition is releasing a new report that gives state and local advocates fresh ideas for advancing policies to improve immigrant access to workforce and adult education services. At…

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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…

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Spotlight on Louisville, Kentucky

Recognizing the positive effect that promoting inclusion has had on its economy and neighborhoods, Louisville, Kentucky has become a leader in the welcoming movement. Louisville is home to a host of innovative programs and policies to help immigrants and long-term members integrate into the fabric of the city, and, in return, residents of all backgrounds…

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Response to USCIS Removing "A Nation of Immigrants"

Rachel Peric, Welcoming America’s Executive Director responds to USCIS removing “a nation of immigrants” from mission statement: Rachel’s statement: In taking the oath of citizenship, new Americans make a solemn pledge to uphold American ideals – among them, our commitment to being a nation that recognizes our immigrant neighbors, colleagues, family members, and dedicated soldiers…

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The City of Neighbors

Philadelphia is a leader in attracting, retaining, and including immigrants, and has shown the positive economic and social impacts of being a welcoming city. Immigrants have significantly contributed to the reversal of a 60-year population decline, and since 2000 are responsible for 96 percent of small business growth and 75 percent of workforce growth.  

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Welcoming America Urges Congress to Pass the Dream Act Now

Welcoming America calls upon our nation’s leaders to stand in fervent support of the Dream Act, and uphold our commitment to the values that are the bedrock of American democracy. Strong leaders in the 21st century recognize that to be American should never be defined by race, religion or country of origin, but by the…

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Welcoming America announces leadership change

Today, Welcoming America announces changes to our organizational leadership team. Founder and Executive Director David Lubell will be transitioning from his role to focus on the organization’s burgeoning work internationally. The Board of Directors has tapped Rachel Peric to become the new Executive Director.  In a letter to stakeholders, Welcoming America’s Board said “Since joining…

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Letter from Welcoming America Board of Directors

Welcoming America’s mission to create communities where all people are valued and can thrive has never been more important.  As board members, it has been our privilege to support the incredible success of the organization and spread of Welcoming communities, which now can be found in every corner of the country working to make life…

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An Exciting Transition at Welcoming America

Letter from David Lubell, founder and executive director When I founded Welcoming America in 2009, with the help of a cohort of trailblazing welcomers, I could hardly have imagined that the organization would become the powerful force for change that it is today; inspiring, connecting, and catalyzing the efforts of hundreds of welcoming communities –…

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