Announcing Baltimore City & Montgomery County as Certified Welcoming

In these unprecedented times of both a pandemic and national conversation on racism, the need for communities to translate welcoming values into policies and practices that create more inclusive environments is greater than ever. That is why we are pleased to announce the newest additions to the growing list of Certified Welcoming places in the…

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Statement on DACA ruling

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Administration cannot proceed with ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects nearly 650,000 young adults who came to the United States as a child without documentation or a choice of citizenship. We applaud the decision and celebrate with our network of 200+…

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Six Ways to Support Refugees Virtually this World Refugee Day

June 20 is World Refugee Day. As an internationally-designated day of the United Nations, World Refugee Day was established as a way for people across the world to show solidarity for refugees and to honor their resilience and determination to find safe haven. By the end of 2018, 70.8 million individuals were forcibly displaced worldwide…

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Immigrant Heritage Month 2020: Stories of Welcoming

Immigrant Heritage Month celebrates the stories of immigrants and those with immigrant heritage. In this post, Welcoming America staff share their experience with immigration and/or their immigrant heritage.  What is your experience with immigration? “With my family’s story as the backdrop, my personal and professional networks have always included friends and colleagues with diverse immigration experiences…

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Ten communities awarded funds to grow inclusive emergency response

Welcoming America announces financial support to local communities committed to improving translation and interpretation services in emergency management As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt communities, local leaders have stepped up as models of trustworthy and effective communication. However, they still need help putting inclusive emergency management into practice so all residents receive, understand, and…

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Why welcoming cannot thrive as long as racism persists

Being welcoming is more than being tolerant—it’s having a true respect and appreciation for our neighbors and making sure that, in our culture and in our policies, everyone belongs. Unfortunately, the recent events in Louisville, KY, Minneapolis, MN, and Brunswick, GA show that we still have a long way to go to being a truly…

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Strategic language access is key to crises in Aurora, CO

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are sharing the stories and experiences of the Welcoming Network in responding to the crisis in their communities as well as the challenges facing immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations. This week, we hear from Ricardo Gambetta-Alvarado, Manager of the Office of International and Immigrant Affairs, City of Aurora, CO. COVID-19 has disrupted…

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Member Spotlight: Responding to COVID-19 in meat processing communities

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are sharing the stories and experiences of the Welcoming Network in responding to the crisis in their communities as well as the challenges facing immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations. This week, we hear from Kate Schieferecke, Refugee Resettlement Case Manager at the Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas. COVID-19 has disrupted daily life…

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Welcoming America launches Resilient Rapid Response Initiative

Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by making everyone feel they belong, announces the launch of the Resilient Rapid Response Initiative to assist its membership network of nonprofits and local governments with pressing needs in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to tailored training…

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Member Spotlight: How Charlotte, NC makes emergency response more inclusive for all

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are sharing the stories and experiences of the Welcoming Network in responding to the crisis in their communities as well as the challenges facing immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations. This week, we hear from Emily Yaffe and Federico Rios of the Office of Equity, Mobility and Immigrant Integration of the City of Charlotte in North…

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