Welcoming Week 2019 begins this week with a celebration from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, September 13th. It’s co-hosted by the University YMCA and City of Champaign, and happening in front of the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum on Neil Street in Champaign.
From the press release:
Event highlights include a welcome address by the mayors of Champaign and Urbana, live music performed by Abraham Mellish and Jean-René Balekita & Boyomi Ministries, and pop-up shops from local artists. Several Welcoming Week event hosts will also be present to share information about their Welcoming Week events and organizations including the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, Champaign Police and Fire, the Refugee Center, the University of Illinois Research Park, The Urbana Free Library, the Urbana Park District, and more!
Welcoming Week, an initiative of the University Y’s New American Welcome Center, is an effort to foster connections between the community members who were born in the U.S. and those who are newcomers to this country and area. There will be tons of events happening from September 13-22; you can see the full list here.
Interested in volunteering for either the kickoff or other events throughout the week? You can find those opportunities here.
Image from Welcoming Week Celebration Facebook event page