Welcoming America affiliates in Michigan and New Hampshire recently brought their newly-launched initiatives into the public spotlight.

Welcoming Michigan formally kicked off their initiative with a launch event on May 7^th in Detroit that included a diverse coalition of supporters and recognition by state lawmakers.   The event showcased the work of the growing initiative, which is led by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center.

The initiative will focus initially on communities in Southeast Michigan and Detroit.  The event was covered by the Detroit News, which highlighted the role of Welcoming Michigan in  showcasing the economic contributions of immigrants to the Michigan economy.  The bi-partisan initiative has received support from various lawmakers, including the Governor Rick Snyder.   Says Snyder, “For the overwhelming majority of immigrants, the opportunity to begin again—and flourish —is what made Michigan great.  We need to continue to harness this thirst for success and the work ethic that makes success possible, to help Michigan grow once again.”

Welcoming New Hampshire, whose campaign launched in 2011, was recently recognized by Governor John Lynch.  In a proclamation issued last month, Governor Lynch commended the organization for “continuing to make our state proud of our welcoming tradition.” Welcoming New Hampshire is organized by the New Hampshire Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees (NHAIR).

You’re Welcome Rocks at South by Southwest

Above left: the Kenyan band Sauti Sol gets everyone dancing in the aisles.  Watch Sauti Sol video

Right: Oliver Rajamani performs. Watch Oliver Rajamani video

Welcoming America’s You’re Welcome! event recently made a splash at one of the nation’s largest music festivals, South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.   The day of comedy, music, and dialogue was designed to engage culture influencers and showcase performers that celebrate the fusion of cultures in America. 

The event was a success, and included a cultural influencers workshop where artists, musicians and comedians joined with activists for an exciting conversation about how to participate in the Welcoming Movement.

A big thanks to the performers, including Negin Farsad, Sauti Sol, Oliver Rajamani, Invincible, DJ Martin Perna, Riders Against the Storm, Maggie Maye, and many more.

Many thanks to our volunteers, to Opportunity Agenda for their opinion polling help, to the George Washington Carver Cultural Center, and to The Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Unbound Philanthropy for their generous support.  See more pictures from the day, and stay tuned for additional clips and coverage.

More events are planned for the summer, as Welcoming America affiliates will join with local artists and other leaders in Detroit and Omaha to make them more welcoming places.

Want to learn more and get involved? Contact us today.

Today, the New York Times published  a great opinion piece that makes the case for immigrants as contributors, and highlights Welcoming America – and our colleagues at ImmigrationWorks – as being “at the forefront of helping migrants assimilate.”   Welcoming America thanks  the New York Times and author Dowell Myers for this pragmatic and compassionate take on what a welcoming America might look like.

Click here to read “The Next Immigration Challenge” by Dowell Myers for the New York Times.

Thanks to Welcoming America affiliate, Welcoming Rhode Island, the City of East Providence, Rhode Island has become the latest city to declare itself “welcoming.”

In a vote passed unanimously on January 3rd by the East Providence City Council, local elected leaders adopted a welcoming resolution, which states that the city is “committed to continue building a neighborly and welcoming atmosphere in our community where all are welcome, accepted and appreciated.”   To view the full resolution and watch a video clip of the event, visit Welcoming Rhode Island’s recently-launched blog.

East Providence joins with communities in Alabama, Idaho, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Oregon, who have passed resolutions that declare their communities welcoming or “immigrant friendly.”

The White House Office of Public Engagement blogged about Welcoming America earlier this week, and shared how our work is at the forefront of helping America’s communities to be globally competitive and welcoming places for all people to live and work.

Read on for the full story or view it online.
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America is at a crossroads.   From Alabama to Arizona, shuttered storefronts and barren fields tell the story of communities gripped by anxiety and fear.  But fortunately there is another path.

Over the last year, Welcoming America and its affiliates have proactively reached out to thousands of individuals around the country to share a simple message: immigrants make us stronger.

Last week, Welcoming affiliate Uniting NC unveiled a new billboard campaign, including the image above. The launch of the billboards received broad media coverage, including yesterday’s story by the Huffington Post.

The billboards will help thousands across North Carolina benefit from their powerful, positive message.  It’s but one example of the exciting and proactive work that Welcoming America is supporting around the country.

As the year ends, we welcome you to join us in celebrating just a few of the exiting achievements that Welcoming America, our affiliates, and our supporters made possible over the last year.  If you are inspired, please DONATE to Welcoming America today. Your donation will directly support the work of our affiliates across the country.

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