PHILADELPHIA – The Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) released a schedule of nearly 40 events happening during the 2018 Welcoming Week, September 14 – 24, 2018. A national initiative, Welcoming Week builds common ground in Philadelphia’s communities to encourage dialogue and forge relationships between immigrants, refugees, and US-born citizens. Welcoming Week celebrates how Philadelphia is an open, friendly, and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds. The activities and events provide U.S. and foreign-born residents an opportunity to explore other cultures — and to develop a deeper appreciation for one another. View the full list of events here.
“Philadelphia is a city of immigrants, and immigrants have played a significant role in strengthening our city,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “In some neighborhoods, the influx of immigrants has prevented destabilizing blight, improved public schools, and helped spur growth in neighborhood commercial corridors. Diversity is our strength and being a welcoming city acknowledges and supports that. Philadelphia is and will continue to be a welcoming city for all.”
This year, more than 30 community partners are participating in Welcoming Week. They include local restaurant owners who are joining together to support Puentes De Salud, a nonprofit clinic serving the Latino immigrant community in South Philadelphia. On September 15, during Welcoming Week, these restaurants will serve special dishes and drinks that shed light on immigrant communities and their experiences. This event, named “Building Bridges,” is just one example of how Philadelphia is a welcoming city.
OIA also worked closely with community organizations and city partners, such as PHL Diversity, to curate 10 full days of cultural and meaningful events that feature diversity and encourage conversation.
“Philadelphia has a vibrant immigrant community and Welcoming Week helps us highlight just how important growing and supporting that community is,” said OIA Director Miriam Enriquez. “By creating spaces and events where people of all backgrounds can interact, Welcoming Week allows us to share experiences, see across our differences, and build common ground. It’s a time to celebrate the growing movement of communities and leaders across the US that fully embrace immigrants and the value they bring to the local and national fabric of our country.”
“Welcoming Week is an important tradition in the City of Philadelphia, and PHL Diversity is committed to bringing this spirit of inclusiveness to the other 51 weeks of the year as well,” said Greg DeShields, executive director of PHL Diversity, a business development division of the PHLCVB. “Our mission is to provide opportunities to ethnically diverse business populations in Philadelphia, often first or second generation immigrants who have become leading entrepreneurs. It’s only fitting this year’s Welcoming Week coincides with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s National Convention in Philadelphia, a group we worked hard with the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to bring to the city.”
Welcoming Week events are free and open to public unless otherwise marked, and attendees are encouraged to use the hashtags #WelcomingWeek and #WelcomingWeekPHL to share their experiences on social media. Some of the week’s featured events are:
America, Border, Culture, Dreamer – Welcoming Week Kickoff & Book Launch
September 14 | 10:00AM
Parkway Central Free Library of Philadelphia
- Join Mayor Kenney and kick off Welcoming Week with an interactive book launch celebrating art as a tool to amplify marginalized voices and jumpstart meaningful dialogue. Meet author/photographer Wendy Ewald, talk with students in the book, and create your own art exploring identity, immigration and inclusivity.
Philadelphia International Unity Cup Block Party
September 16 | 2:00PM
Master Street between Broad and 13th
- Come celebrate our city’s vibrant multicultural community at the annual FREE Philadelphia International Block Party. The party will feature some of Philadelphia’s top ethnic food vendors, cultural performances, a beer garden, arts & crafts, interactive activities, and Unity Cup Quarter Finals games.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony at Citizens Bank Park
September 18 | 5:00PM
Citizens Bank Park
- Private naturalization ceremony taking place at Citizens Bank Park prior to the 7:05 PM Phillies game. The newly naturalized citizens will be recognized on field following the ceremony. Participants will then be able to enjoy America’s pastime with their families as the Phillies play the New York Mets. Contact: Kenny Johnson, kjohnson@phillies.com, 215-218-5316
Cultural Fabric of Philadelphia Immigrant Community Photo Book Release
September 20 | 6:00PM
City Hall, Mayor’s Reception Room
- Join Mayor Kenney and the Office of Immigrant Affairs, and the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy for this special event followed by an exhibit of selected photo’s from the book in the City Hall Gallery, Room 116.
I’m Afraid of Men: Book Reading and Release by Vivek Shraya
September 23 | 1:00PM
Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street #100
- Raised as the child of South Asian immigrants in Canada, a trans artist explores how masculinity was imposed on her as a boy and continues to haunt her as a girl–and how we might reimagine gender for the twenty-first century. Vivek Shraya will read from her new book, I’m Afraid of Men.
Puerto Rican Festival Flag Raising
September 24 | 11:00AM
Municipal Services Building, Thomas Paine Plaza
- Join Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sanchez for the raising of the Puerto Rican Flag. This flag raising launches a week of festivities in the Puerto Rican community, celebrating cultural pride and the great contributions of Puerto Ricans in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.
Be sure to follow OIA on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated on events.