Call for Events for Welcoming Week 2022, Sept 9-18!

West Central Initiative is partnering with Welcoming America, a national organization whose mission is to help communities become more welcoming to newcomers, immigrants, and refugees. Each year, Welcoming America supports “Welcoming Week,” an annual event where organizations and communities bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity.

As rural communities look to grow, providing a welcoming, safe space for all newcomers is vital. West Central Initiative is offering grants of up to $500 to communities who want to explore ways they can be more welcoming and attractive to newcomers, starting by holding a special event of their choosing during Welcoming Week!

In 2021, there were over 375 events in 100 communities throughout the United States, including events in Minnesota towns! Why not start with something in our neighborhoods?

We hope to help sponsor several Welcoming Week events within our nine-county service area, joining similar events already planned in other regions of rural Minnesota. The application deadline is July 15.