Social Cohesion Series: Engaging Local Leaders to Foster Welcoming Communities
This is the third in a series of articles on social cohesion that explores what Welcoming America and other national- and local-level thought leaders and practitioners have learned about engaging long-term members of receiving communities in order to advance immigrant inclusion and build stronger, more cohesive communities. “Engaging Local Leaders to Foster Welcoming Communities” focuses…
Read MoreRachel Peric on the This is Civity podcast
Rachel Peric, executive director of Welcoming America, is interviewed in this podcast “This Is Civity” to discuss the importance of inclusion in communities, and how government and business leaders can lead the way in taking specific actions to make immigrants feel more welcome. Listen here
Read MoreWelcoming communities are resilient communities
After 10 years of leading immigrant inclusion work, we know that welcoming communities are also resilient communities. Resilient communities succeed in the face of change. In an era of unprecedented migration and climate change, local leaders are often at the forefront – developing and innovating solutions that help their cities and towns not only respond…
Read MoreWelcoming 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…
Read MoreOne Region Initiative: Regional Strategic Welcoming Plan, Phase I
As part of the One Region Initiative, this strategic welcoming plan outlines Phase I of creating an inclusive metro Atlanta region that includes immigrants and refugees. In partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and the Atlanta Regional Commission, the plan serves as a roadmap for the initiative’s steering committee and Welcoming America leadership…
Read MoreReframing Refugees: Messaging Toolkit
Developed in partnership with the Lightbox Collective, this toolkit is intended as a communications resource for individuals working in organizations that serve refugees and the broader community. It provides tips and recommendations on ways to deliver strong messages that encourage leaders to act in support of refugees in their communities. This toolkit was developed under…
Read MoreIdeas That Innovate: State & Local Policies
Ideas That Innovate: State & Local Policies is a report by the Welcoming Economies Global Network, a partnership between Welcoming America and Global Detroit that taps into the economic development opportunities created by immigrants across the Rust Belt. The report outlines state and local policies that foster immigrant inclusion in varying levels of government including…
Read MoreOpening Minds, Opening Doors, Opening Communities: Cities Leading for Immigrant Integration
With this rapid expansion of institutions for immigrant integration, there is a demand for a better understanding of how these institutions can most effectively facilitate receiving and integrating immigrants and ultimately maximize their economic and civic contributions. Published by the University of Southern California Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration and the Americas Society/Council…
Read MoreWhite House Task Force on New Americans: Strategic Action Plan on Immigrant & Refugee Integration
In November 2014, President Barack Obama established the White House Task Force on New Americans, a government-wide effort tasked with better integrating immigrants and refugees into American communities civically, economically, and linguistically. This strategic plan outlines the Task Force’s integration strategy for the federal government, including goals and recommendations on building welcoming communities. Welcoming America…
Read MoreThe Story of Welcoming
An introduction to the Welcoming model and how it relates to the community of Shelbyville. This clip is featured in “Building a Nation of Neighbors,” a Shelbyville Multimedia video module for bridge-building between newcomers and long time residents, adapted from the documentary Welcome to Shelbyville directed and produced by Kim A. Snyder.
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