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 on how leaders – in government, nonprofits, civil society – set the tone for welcome and belonging in the community. Reinforcing social bonds requires leadership engagement, positive communications, and building meaningful contact across difference.