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…
Read MoreSan 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…
Read MoreChampaign becomes first Certified Welcoming city in Illinois
Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announces the City of Champaign as a Certified Welcoming place, the first in Illinois to achieve the designation. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “We are thrilled to recognize the City of Champaign in becoming a Certified Welcoming place, affirming its leadership in building policies and partnerships…
Read MoreTulsa becomes first Certified Welcoming city in Oklahoma
Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announces the City of Tulsa as a Certified Welcoming place, the first in Oklahoma to achieve the designation. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “We are thrilled to recognize Tulsa in becoming a Certified Welcoming place, affirming its leadership in building policies and partnerships that enable all…
Read MoreNew Orleans becomes first Certified Welcoming city in Louisiana
Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announces the City of New Orleans as a Certified Welcoming place, the first in Louisiana to achieve the designation. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “We are thrilled to recognize New Orleans in becoming a Certified Welcoming place, affirming its leadership in building policies and partnerships that…
Read MoreBoise, Idaho redesignated as Certified Welcoming by Welcoming America
Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announces the redesignation of the City of Boise in Idaho as a Certified Welcoming place. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “We are thrilled to redesignate Boise as a Certified Welcoming city. As a place that has invested in making sure that immigrant and non-immigrant neighbors can…
Read MoreDayton, Ohio: The first U.S. city to become Certified Welcoming achieves redesignation by Welcoming America
July 18, 2023 — Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announces the redesignation of the City of Dayton in Ohio as a Certified Welcoming place. Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, said: “Welcoming America is thrilled to congratulate the City of Dayton for its redesignation as a Certified Welcoming city. As a pioneer in…
Read MoreLucas County, Ohio redesignated as Certified Welcoming by Welcoming America
June 20, 2023 — Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announces the redesignation of Lucas County, Ohio as a Certified Welcoming place on World Refugee Day and during Immigrant Heritage Month in the U.S. Lucas County, along with its county seat, the City of Toledo, are the only city and county duo to jointly hold…
Read MoreRevamped Certified Welcoming program includes star designations, new criteria
Welcoming America is pleased to announce the second iteration of the Certified Welcoming program, its signature program that recognizes U.S. cities, towns, and counties for their welcoming policies and programs. Certified Welcoming is introducing a star designation system that will allow more communities to achieve one of five star designations under the Welcoming Standard version…
Read MoreAchieving the Certified Welcoming Designation Under the Welcoming Standard 2.0
This guide outlines the second iteration of the Certified Welcoming program and the Welcoming Standard criteria that communities must meet to earn the designation of Certified Welcoming. Certified Welcoming is a formal designation for local governments that have created policies and programs reflecting their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion. This innovative program assesses local…
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