Welcoming Week is an annual campaign and celebration from September 19th-23rd to showcase the movement of communities striving to be more welcoming places for all, including immigrants. Launched in 2012 by Welcoming America and its members, Welcoming Week provides individuals and communities the opportunity to proclaim welcoming values through events and local initiatives that foster mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants, as well as deeper belonging for all. This year’s theme for Welcoming Week is Where We Belong.
The Owatonna Human Rights Commission is focusing on the places and spaces that foster belonging, such as public spaces, workplaces, and neighborhoods. As Owatonnans, we can support what makes our community a welcoming place and showcase how it helps foster belonging for all people, especially immigrants.
We plan to host a kickoff event for Welcoming Week on September 19th from 4:30pm-8pm. The event begins with a dedication ceremony for the mural, and continues with a “Welcome Walk,” which stretches along Walnut Ave., starting at the mural site next to The Blast and ending at Bridge Street.
Check back for additional events planned during this week.