PHILADELPHIA — Welcoming Week is a national initiative that seeks to build connections between communities of immigrants and those who were born in the United States through an annual series of events. In Philadelphia, the City’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) helps organize events and activities across the city. Welcoming Week 2019 will take place September 13-23.
“Philadelphia strives to be a place where all people—regardless of their background or where they were born—can build a life for themselves,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Now more than ever, it is important for Philadelphia and other communities across the nation to show how eager we are to welcome new residents from around the globe. We are proud to be a Welcoming City that embraces immigrants and refugees. Philadelphia not only welcomes these individuals, but recognizes and celebrates their contributions to the fabric of our city.”
OIA worked closely with community partners to curate the calendar of events for Welcoming Week 2019, which features more than 20 events aimed at encouraging dialogue and forging relationships.
“We are excited to join communities across the country in celebrating Welcoming Week 2019,” said Miriam Enriquez, Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs. “This nation-wide celebration is an opportunity to highlight the welcoming spirit of our city and our love for the immigrants and refugees who call Philadelphia home.”
PHL Diversity, a business division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, is the lead sponsor for Welcoming Week 2019.
“The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and its PHL Diversity division are proud to once again support Welcoming Week, highlighting our city’s diverse and multicultural communities,” said Greg DeShields, Executive Director of PHL Diversity. “PHL Diversity works nationally to raise Philadelphia’s image as a premier destination for diverse multicultural meetings and events, and programs like this increase Philadelphia’s profile as a diverse and inclusive city that’s welcoming to all.”
Events scheduled for Welcoming Week 2019 include:
Citizenship Day 2019
September 14 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Community College of Philadelphia, 1800 Callowhill Street
The Office of Immigrant Affairs, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the New Americans Campaign, Community College of Philadelphia, HIAS PA, Multicultural Community Family Services, Keystone Opportunities Center, Duane Morris LLP, and Klasko Immigration Law Partners partner on this event for eligible low income permanent residents (green card holders) to receive free assistance in applying for U.S. citizenship.
USCIS Naturalization Ceremony
September 18 | 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Museum of the American Revolution, 101 South 3rd Street
The Museum of the American Revolution hosts an official naturalization ceremony in partnership with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Gentrification in Austin: Lessons Learned
September 20 | 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Walnut Street West Library, 201 South 40th Street
The Office of Immigrant Affairs, Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Asian American Studies Program of the University of Pennsylvania host a discussion on gentrification with professor and long-time activist Eric Tang.
Making Home Movies Premiere
September 21 | 12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Film Society, 1412 Chestnut Street
Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Porch Light program presents the premiere of Making Home Movies, a collaborative film project created with newly-arrived immigrant and refugee communities in Philadelphia.
To view a full list of events, visit the Welcoming Week event spotlight page at phila.gov/welcoming-week.