Cuyahoga County, OH and Roanoke, VA latest cities to become Certified Welcoming

February 19, 2024 — Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announces two municipalities as the latest to become Certified Welcoming, each at the 1-star designation: Cuyahoga County in Ohio and the City of Roanoke in Virginia. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “We are thrilled to recognize Cuyahoga County and the City of…

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Announcing Rural Welcoming Initiative 2024 participants, peer learning partnerships

Welcoming America is thrilled to announce the 10 participants of the Rural Welcoming Initiative (RWI) for 2024: Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation – Brattleboro, Vermont Catholic Charities of East Tennessee & HOLA Lakeway (partner participants) – Morristown, Tennessee City of Garden City – Garden City, Kansas City of New Ulm – New Ulm, Minnesota City of…

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Welcoming takes root in the south: How one Florida community fosters safety and language access

Group photo of members of the GINI team

Words and intentions aren’t enough to create a community where everyone belongs. Residents of Gainesville and Alachua County, Florida know how much effort it takes to make their home a more welcoming place to live. “To be a welcoming community means that you have policies in place which become everyday behaviors and actions, in turn,…

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San Mateo County becomes first Certified Welcoming county in California

January 31, 2024 — Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announces San Mateo County as a Certified Welcoming place, the first county in California to achieve the designation and the first in the nation to achieve it at the 4-star level (the highest being 5-star). Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “We are…

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Organizing 101: How nonprofit advocates can bring local government along for the welcoming journey

Young people have a discussion outside

If you’ve ever wondered why key leaders aren’t at the table in your community’s welcoming coalition, the answer may be that your table isn’t big enough. With over 15 years of working with local governments and nonprofits, Welcoming America has seen many local nonprofits lead a community’s welcoming efforts. Many of these advocates have built…

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French network of welcoming communities joins Welcoming International Alliance

Read in French | Lire en français Welcoming America is thrilled to announce ANVITA, or l’Association Nationale des Villes et Territoires Accueillants (translated as the National Association of Welcoming Cities and Territories), as its newest partner in the Welcoming International Alliance, a program of the Welcoming International initiative. The France-based network of welcoming cities includes…

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Le réseau français des Villes et Territoires accueillants rejoint Welcoming International

Lire en anglais | Read in English Welcoming America a le plaisir d’annoncer que l’ANVITA, l’Association Nationale des Villes et Territoires Accueillants, rejoint l’Alliance Welcoming International, un programme de l’initiative “Welcoming International”. Le réseau français des villes accueillantes comprend plus de 80 collectivités locales qui mobilisent, défendent et soutiennent les nouveaux arrivants et les populations…

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Building momentum: Welcoming America expands board with new members and appointments

Welcoming America is pleased to announce the new members of our board of directors, as well as changes in its leadership, effective immediately. New members of the board include: Alexandra Toma, Executive Director of the Peace & Security Funders Group Alexandra brings 20 years of leadership in politics, advocacy, and philanthropy to her role as…

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Statement on humanitarian funding and anti-immigration legislation

Welcoming America stands united with partners nationwide and the majority of Americans in opposing the Biden Administration’s consideration of the proposal by a radical minority of legislators tying funding for humanitarian assistance abroad to advance their extreme anti-immigrant agenda at home. As an organization committed to fostering communities where everyone belongs, we are deeply concerned…

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Refugee leaders selected for USA for UNHCR grant in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas

December 8, 2023 — Nonprofits USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Refugee Congress and Welcoming America announce the awardees of the Sparking Change grant: Derick Alimasi (TX) Masouda Basharat (OK) Bahati Kanyamanza (TX) Aisha Koroma (TX) Sara Louis-Ayo (LA) Niyonsaba Magnifique (TX) King Patrick Saah (LA) Sateza Safi (OK) Dauda Sesay (LA) Faridar Binti…

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