History & Impact
What was initially called National Welcoming Week began in the United States in 2012. Members of the Welcoming Network, led by Welcoming America, created this annual campaign for communities to celebrate and uplift their diversity and values of welcoming and inclusion for all, including immigrants.
Today, Welcoming Week is a global movement because of the extensive network of organizations, local governments, and other institutions that comprise the Welcoming Network, the Welcoming International Alliance, and beyond. We are grateful for their support of a more welcoming world.
Select media on Welcoming Week:
- “Welcoming Week” is helping refugees and immigrants feel valued in our state, ABC4 Utah, September 6, 2023
- Lincoln to celebrate immigrants and community during Welcoming Week events, Lincoln Journal Star, September 9, 2022
- Michigan celebrates Welcoming Week, immigrant’s vibrant diversity and value to communities, La Prensa Newspaper, September 14, 2022
- A sense of belonging in southern Minnesota, Austin Daily Herald, August 27, 2021
- Interview with Southwest Initiative Foundation & Welcoming America for Welcoming Week in Minnesota, Compass on Pioneer PBS (MN), September 10, 2020
- Welcoming Week casts Cleveland as a global city, Crain's Cleveland Business, 2019
- Houstonian Honored by White House at “Welcoming Week” Celebration, Houston Style Magazine, 2016
- Atlanta mayor announces plans for welcoming new arrivals, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2014
Impact Report
Check out our latest report capturing the impact of Welcoming Week 2023!
What our community says
“Creating spaces for dialogue between Mexicans and foreigners is more important than ever. We need to listen to each other and recognize ourselves as part of a community. Our celebration will showcase union and cooperation, an open-door Mexican party.”
— Tamara Aranda, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator at Sin Fronteras
“Many former refugees now call Canterbury-Bankstown home and contribute to our thriving community. We extend a warm welcome to all migrants and refugees no matter where they’re from.”
— Mayor Bilal El-Hayek, City of Canterbury-Bankstown
“I’m proud of Philadelphia’s commitment to Welcoming Week for the past seven years. This week highlights the vibrancy of our immigrant and refugee communities and serves as a reminder that everyone belongs in Philadelphia.”
— Mayor Jim Kenney, City of Philadelphia
Welcoming Week globally
Welcoming Week is a global movement and has been celebrated in the following countries
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