Welcoming Week 2020: Event Examples

Last updated on: June 3, 2021

Below are examples of events that can be hosted in-person, virtually, or a combination of both:

BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS

  • Clean up a local park or a few neighborhood blocks.

  • Tend a community garden 

  • Paint a community mural

  • Build a new playground

COLLABORATE WITH DIVERSE BUSINESSES 

  • Host a virtual cooking demonstration with a local immigrant chef

  • Recognize immigrant entrepreneurs through a virtual award ceremony

  • Host a virtual or limited in-person networking event for entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds

  • Since Zoom allows breakouts, any virtual event can be paired with one-on-one or small-group story-sharing so people can “meet” at the event and get a chance to personalize/better absorb the information presented

  • Suggest adding captioning to any sort of virtual presentation; not only for the hearing impaired but also for greater language access

  • Work with a local coffee shop to serve coffee and share your Welcoming Week message with customers from a distance.

  • Encourage your community to order takeout from local restaurants

CITIZENSHIP 

  • With your local guidance for in-person events in mind, consider holding a naturalization ceremony; in the U.S. Citizenship Day is September 17 

  • Host a naturalization test preparation workshop 

  • Work with local government if community organizations do not have access to virtual platforms

ARTS & CULTURE

  • Host a virtual dance party with an immigrant DJ

  • Work with a local museum or art gallery to spotlight art by immigrant and refugee artists through virtual art exhibits

  • Host a virtual watch party for a film

  • Host a community driveway chalk art competition with the theme of welcoming or building home together

  • Work with a local immigrant or refugee artist on a piece of public art

  • Host a virtual Civic Dinner on belonging

  • Host artist workshops – attendees can learn and practice a culturally specific art technique

  • Show an Immigrant directed film through Community Supported Films on Facebook and then hold a panel discussion.

     

  • Stage a webinar, that can be pre-recorded with guests from around the state sharing their experiences with immigrants & refugees

  • Host a Virtual music/storytelling event with multicultural folktales and welcoming songs like This Land is Your Land This Land Is My Land, All God’s Creatures Got a Place in the Choir, Tell Me the Names of
    the Colors of Earth

More Examples from Around the World

Redwood City, CA: A screening event of digital stories that were created by diverse community members including long-time residents, recent immigrants, and local business owners.

Cities such as Baltimore, MD; Nashville, TN; and Atlanta, GA announced policy initiatives to improve the lives of immigrants and to foster a welcoming environment regardless of race, ethnicity, or place of origin. 

St. Petersburg, FL: A university panel discussion with students from various cultural backgrounds with the goal to spread cultural awareness in order to better promote cultural inclusion

Pittsfield, MA: A free Citizen Workshop to provide valuable information and assistance for immigrants and their families, as well as allies to learn about the citizenship process.

Charlotte, NC: The Charlotte Symphony hosted a community festival and concert at an elementary school.

Ljubljana, Slovenia: SLOGA, a Slovenian nonprofit organization, hosted positive communications training for local inclusion practitioners.

 

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