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Affirmations and connections in Salt Lake County’s recertification journey
In June 2022, Salt Lake County, Utah was redesignated as Certified Welcoming. We talked with Joseph Genda, New American & Refugee Liaison in the Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office for New Americans, to learn more about what the recertification process was like and why it was important for Salt Lake County to remain Certified Welcoming.…
Read MorePartnerships and welcoming infrastructure guide Louisville’s welcoming work
The Louisville Metro Government in Kentucky became Certified Welcoming in 2018 and recertified in 2022. Amos Izerimana, Director of Louisville’s Office for Immigrant Affairs, spoke with us about how recertification was an opportunity to reflect on partnerships and infrastructure that have advanced Louisville’s immigrant inclusion work. Collaborations make welcoming work possible Over the last decade,…
Read MoreWelcoming accountability in Nashua
In October 2022, the City of Nashua, New Hampshire became the first Certified Welcoming city in the Granite State and among the first in the New England region. In this blog, Kathleen Palmer, Communications & Special Projects Coordinator and Cecilia Ulibarri, former Constituent Services & Cultural Affairs Coordinator for the City of Nashua, share their…
Read MoreHarnessing a history of welcoming in Detroit
In April 2022, the City of Detroit, Michigan became the first place to become Certified Welcoming in the state. In this blog, we spoke with Roberto Torres, Director of Immigrant Affairs and Economic Inclusion for the City of Detroit, on the journey to achieve the Certified Welcoming designation. Background In 2015, the mayor of Detroit…
Read MoreLeading in Maine: Portland’s journey to become Certified Welcoming
In October 2022, the City of Portland, Maine became the first in the state to become Certified Welcoming and among the first in the New England region. In this blog, we asked Mary Davis, Interim Director of the city’s Housing and Economic Development Department, and Angelina Klouthis Jean, a consultant for the city’s Natural Helpers…
Read MoreQ&A with Mayor Jim Donchess of Nashua, NH
In October 2022, the City of Nashua, New Hampshire became the first city in the state and among the first in the region to become Certified Welcoming. In this Q&A interview, Mayor Jim Donchess shared a look back at the journey and vision for Nashua as a welcoming city. The City of Nashua was audited…
Read MoreHow becoming Certified Welcoming supports continuity in local programs in Dayton
Author: Maya Smith-Custer A common concern for local government welcoming programs is change, particularly staff change or organizational restructuring. While the goal is to institutionalize welcoming and immigrant inclusion work throughout local government, the work often relies on a few select staff within the local government to be the conveners and champions. As such, a…
Read MoreCity of Pittsburgh is now Certified Welcoming
Written by Feyisola Akintola, Special Initiatives Manager, Office of Equity, City of Pittsburgh Editor’s note: On September 17, 2021, the City of Pittsburgh, PA became the twelfth place to become Certified Welcoming, and the third in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Read more about what the process was like. Pittsburgh has always been a commercial hub…
Read MoreCity of Erie is Now Certified Welcoming
(Photo above: Hailing from 22 countries, 52 new U.S. citizens are shown, Feb. 28, 2020, following a morning citizenship and naturalization ceremony at U.S. District Court in Erie. Credit: CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS) Written By Niken Astari Carpenter, New American Liaison, City of Erie Editor’s note: On November 18, 2020, the City of Erie, PA became…
Read MoreLeaning on Certified Welcoming values through the pandemic in Lucas County
Written by Mely Arribas-Douglas, Welcome TLC Librarian, Toledo Lucas County Public Library (Ohio) As part of our milestone in reaching 10 Certified Welcoming places this year, we hear from some of these places to see how becoming Certified Welcoming helped in the response to COVID-19, building resilience, and racial equity. In this blog, we hear…
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