What we hope to hear on immigration in Biden’s first State of the Union address
A year ago, I wrote this celebratory post, commending the Biden Administration’s announcement that it would stand up the Task Force on New Americans, a mechanism for the federal government to advance a vision of full belonging for immigrant Americans and one that has existed since the Bush administration. A year later, the Administration faces…
Read MoreCareer Pathways & Equity: Building Consensus Report
In 2021, Welcoming America collaborated with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and 11 other key stakeholders – practitioners, policymakers, and funders – to have a year-long dialogue about increasing equity within career pathway programs. The conversations were engaging, spirited, and unfolding in a time of where national conversations about economic recovery, low-wage workers, race, immigration,…
Read MoreCareer Pathways & Equity: Policy Recommendations
In 2021, collaborated with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and 12 key stakeholders – practitioners, policymakers, and funders – to have a year-long dialogue about increasing equity within career pathway programs. One of the most powerful tools in achieving this goal is policy change. As America’s workforce development system is one where all layers –…
Read MoreInclusive economic recovery: bridging the digital divide, language access gaps in Contra Costa County
As the U.S. continues to recover from some of the worst of the pandemic, Welcoming Network members worked in communities to make the recovery process as inclusive as possible. This is the final of three blogs written by Global Detroit on behalf of Welcoming America that share the challenges, solutions, and possibilities of inclusive economic…
Read MoreA year of fostering belonging: 2021 reflections
As the world headed into a second year of the pandemic, we faced new and familiar challenges from misinformation, climate change and migration, and uneven economic recovery. But we also saw a surge of unprecedented support in racial equity, accessibility, and infrastructure investment. As we look ahead to 2022, here are some of the key…
Read MoreOne Region Initiative in metro Atlanta transitions ownership to Corners Outreach to lead regional inclusion strategy
Decatur, GA — Today, national nonprofit Welcoming America announces the transition of the One Region Initiative to local nonprofit Corners Outreach. Formed in 2017 in partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the One Region Initiative made Atlanta the first major metro area in the U.S. to adopt a regional welcoming plan that encompassed…
Read MoreCómo 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…
Read MoreTips 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.
Read MoreNew 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…
Read MoreCreating a new home, deeper belonging together in Maine
In 2020, Welcoming America and its members worked in eight cities to bridge diverse communities and foster a deeper sense of belonging for local residents, including immigrants. This story is part of the Belonging Begins With Us campaign, which was funded in part by the Walmart Foundation. Zoe Sahloul was seven years old when war…
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