Welcoming Week

September 12-20, 2020

About Welcoming Week

Welcoming America is proud to lead the growing network of hosts and partners around the United States and world who strive to make their communities a more welcoming place for all.

Through Welcoming Week, organizations and communities bring together immigrants, refugees, and long-time residents to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity.

At a time when political rhetoric has deepened divisions and the COVID-19 pandemic has renewed anti-immigrant sentiment, Welcoming Week reminds us to double down on our inclusive vision and find new ways to bring together people across lines of difference to develop greater understanding and mutual support.

On September 12, Welcoming America hosted a livestream event to officially kick off Welcoming Week with our partners, supporters, and guest appearances. Watch it again below:

Creating Home Together

This year, Welcoming Week will take place under the theme of “Creating Home Together”. This is what it means:

Home is not just a house.
Home is any place where you feel safe and accepted: in your neighborhood, in your community, at work.
Ultimately, home is where you feel you most belong.
In this pandemic, we may be redefining where home is, what makes us feel at home, or how to make home a more inclusive and equal place for all.
This Welcoming Week, let’s build home in new ways through virtual spaces, digital sharing, and being together even when we’re alone.
Let’s create home together so everyone feels they belong, no matter where you are, or where you are from, so that each of us has a stake in its future.

Consider using this theme alongside themes of general welcoming and inclusion for your Welcoming Week participation.

Get Involved

Host or Partner On an Event

Are you an organization or local government? Consider hosting or partnering on an event during Welcoming Week to showcase how you work toward creating inclusive communities.

Welcoming Week Toolkit for Hosts

Get Out The Vote

This year is also an election year. Consider hosting a voter registration drive during Welcoming Week with these tools.

Get Out The Count

To help ensure the census is fair and accurate for all, we have compiled a list of resources, action steps, and examples from our Welcoming Network members and partners to help you promote census participation in your community.

Engage on Social Media

Find downloadable logos, social media graphics, and more to use in promoting your event.

Purchase Welcoming Swag

Show the world that you belong by purchasing welcoming swag, including T-shirts, hats, and more.

Visit our online store

Become a Member or Get Certified Welcoming

Are you a nonprofit organization or local government? Consider making a long-term commitment to being welcoming by becoming a member of the Welcoming Network or becoming Certified Welcoming (for local governments only).

Share Your Photo

Every year, Welcoming America receives amazing photos from Welcoming Week events. This year we're doing something different. We are excited to announce the Welcoming Week 2020 Photo Contest! To participate, simply submit photos from your Welcoming Week events or a photo taken within the last year that captures the spirit of welcoming. The deadline to submit is September 21, and the winners will be announced on September 30.

Submit your photo here

Register Your Event

Share what you're doing to create home together this Welcoming Week by registering your event. Once submitted, your event will appear in our event list and map. To edit your submission, contact [email protected]

Submit an Event See all Events