Author: Sierra Salgado Pirigyi

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We Went All In for Welcoming Week 2024…and Beyond!

Welcoming Week 2024 has been a beautiful celebration of Nebraska’s cultural richness, inclusion, and building bridges through connected communities – with a few more events still to come! This year, creative Welcomers across Nebraska hosted over 70 events in more than 9 communities across the state from Scottsbluff and North Platte to Crete and South Sioux City. Events included local business tours, community celebrations, cultural festivals and performances, main street parades, learning events and conversations, citizenship ceremonies, multilingual storytelling, and neighbors coming together to share space in art, music and food, all to ensure everyone in our community can feel a sense of belonging! 

Check-out these photos of a few more of the #WelcomingWeek2024 events that have happened across Nebraska:

Celebrando Siouxland with Unity in Action and many local partners!

Mural Painting with Literacy Council of Grand Island & Naturalization Ceremony with Grand Island Welcoming Initiative

Columbus Welcome Wagons & Heritage Festival with Centro Hispano, Columbus Public Libraries, and other local Columbus partners!

Celebrate Crete with Doane University and Crete in Motion!

Harvest Moon Festival and Lincoln Unites with Lincoln Welcoming Week! 

Check out more photos from partners across the state:

Beyond Welcoming Week events to come!

Establishing a welcoming culture in any community requires ongoing, consistent work to foster equity and inclusion. In many ways, Welcoming Week provides an opportunity for us to cultivate the awareness and energy that’s needed to sustain those year-long welcoming efforts.

There are still a few more events to catch! And then Nebraska communities’ local inclusion and belonging work continues! Take a moment to reflect on your Welcoming Week and the opportunities to build upon it – whether inviting someone new you met to another community event, continuing your personal learning, expanding community learning, or maybe just regrouping with other Welcomers to say “What’s next?” 

Thank you to all for celebrating Welcoming Week 2024 and for being an integral part of what makes Nebraska home for so many! Please reach out to us to support additional welcoming and belonging efforts throughout the year.

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Welcoming Week is Underway: Local Events inside!

Let’s Keep Celebrating Welcoming Week!
September 13th-22nd and beyond!

From business tours to family story-times, to celebrating immigrant neighbors, we’re loving all the ways Nebraskans are celebrating Welcoming Week 2024! There are still lots of local events to come! Take a look and invite a friend or family member to join you! 

Check-out these photos of a few of the #WelcomingWeek2024 events that have happened so far across the state:

Immigrant-Owned Business Tours in South Sioux City NE with Unity in Action! 

Storytime at Rooted Books & Gifts, Immigrant-Owned Business Tour, Welcoming Concert and Discussion with Dr.Velazquez with Grand Island Welcoming Initiative and Grand Island Young Professionals of Color! 

Columbus Table Talks: Homestead Dialogues & Civic Participation dialogues with Centro Hispano and Columbus Latino Young Professionals Association! 

Textile Show-and-Tell at International Quilt Museum, Holmes Lake Clean-up with Karen Society in Lincoln Nebraska, and the Latino Festival with El Centro de las Americas!

Want to join the fun? Here’s how to participate!:

Find local Nebraska events NEAR YOU! Nebraskans are hosting cultural performances, learning events, festivals and parades, and sharing food and stories of belonging and more! See this calendar of more than 50 events in communities across the state!

Join a virtual event or participate in a Welcoming Week event outside Nebraska if you are traveling – Welcoming Week is being celebrated around the world!

Print a Welcomer sign for your office/business, post on social media, or use a virtual Welcomer background in your next video call! 

Engage on social media! Share your photos and experiences with welcoming on social media using the hashtag “#WelcomingWeek2024”. Follow Nebraska Is Home and Welcoming America on Facebook or @WelcomingUSA and @NebraskaIsHome on Instagram and Twitter. 

Thank you for celebrating Welcoming Week 2024 with us!

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Welcoming Week events across Nebraska! September 13-22

Welcoming Week 2024 is here!

Welcoming Week: September 13-22 and beyond!

Welcoming Week is a great opportunity to get to know neighbors – new and old – to embrace the universal values of welcoming places, and to celebrate culture, helping everyone to belong and feel at home – because our communities are strongest when everyone knows they belong. This year’s Welcoming Week theme “We’re All In” aims to go deeper and spark individual reflection on how and why belonging occurs, and ways we can break barriers to foster belonging for all, including immigrants and refugees.

Here in Nebraska and across the country and globe, community members are practicing what makes welcoming places and fosters belonging for all people.

Here’s how to participate:

Find local Nebraska events NEAR YOU! Nebraskans are hosting cultural performances, learning events, festivals and parades, and sharing food and stories of belonging and more! See this calendar of more than 50 events in communities across the state!

Join a virtual event or participate in a Welcoming Week event outside Nebraska if you are traveling – Welcoming Week is being celebrated around the world!

Print a Welcomer sign for your office/business, post on social media, or use a virtual Welcomer background in your next video call! 

Engage on social media! Share your photos and experiences with welcoming on social media using the hashtag “#WelcomingWeek2024”. Follow Nebraska Is Home and Welcoming America on Facebook or @WelcomingUSA and @NebraskaIsHome on Instagram and Twitter. 

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Statewide Welcoming Session 3: Lived Expertise on Local Boards – See you Friday!

We’re All In for Lived Expertise on Local Boards!

Friday, August 9th from 10:00-11:30 am CT (9:00-10:30 am MT) on Zoom

We are excited to see you Friday for Session 3 of the (Virtual) Statewide Welcoming Convening! 

For the third and final session of the annual Nebraska summer welcoming convening we will welcome three Nebraska voices to the table. What will be the table discussion?…everything about lived expertise on local boards! Learn more about the work being done in Columbus with Karina Perez (Centro Hispano), in Omaha with Mohammed Sahil (Nebraska Afghan Community Center), and in South Sioux city with Stephanie Rodriquez (board member, Unity in Action). They will provide a personal lens into what it truly means to bring all of our lived experiences to the table – and how to do so effectively – when serving the community. 

Join us to learn more about lived expertise and to connect with welcoming leaders across the state on August 9th starting at 10am CT (9AM MT)! 

Meet the people at the table:

Karina Perez was born in Los Angeles, California, she and her family migrated to Nebraska in 1999 seeking work opportunities in the Midwest. Her parents are immigrants from El Salvador who found Columbus to be their forever home. She is the Executive Director for Centro Hispano in Columbus, Nebraska and focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in rural Nebraska through storytelling and shared experiences. Karina serves as a board member to CASA Connections in Columbus, Center for Rural Affairs, Nebraska Community Foundation, and is an Ex-Officio board member to the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mohammad Sahil is the founder and executive director of Nebraska Afghan Community Center. Mohammad served with the U.S. military for nearly a decade in Afghanistan. He and his wife immigrated to the United States through the Special Immigrant Visa program. He has almost nine years of experience working with refugee and immigrant populations in various roles with nonprofit organizations and Omaha Public Schools. Mohammad currently serves on the Great Plains IDeA-CTR Community Action Board and is the chair of the Omaha Refugee Task Force which consists of over 200 organizations and individuals dedicated to the successful resettlement and inclusion of refugees in the Omaha area.

Stephanie Rodriguez grew up in South Sioux City and recently relocated to Columbus, Nebraska. She is a Mortgage Loan Officer at BankFirst with nearly a decade of experience in the banking industry. Her parents are from the beautiful state of Chihuahua, Mexico and she is very proud of her Mexican heritage. In her spare time, she enjoys cheering on her two little ones at their sporting events and being their biggest supporter. She has served on the Centro Hispano board and is currently serving on the board of Unity in Action. 

During this session, you will have the opportunity to hear and learn from experienced local leaders and network with peers, all with the aim of enhancing our collective knowledge and skills. Hope to see you on Friday! 

It’s not too late to register!

Please let us know what you need to be able to participate!

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that allow all participants to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Christa Yoakum (402-438-8853 x114, cyoakum@neappleseed.org) or Eric Garcia-Mendez (402-438-8853 x113, egarciamendez@neappleseed.org). We will try our best to accommodate requests. 

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Nebraska Welcoming Session 2 on July 19! We’re All In For Language Access

Language access is foundational to creating communities and spaces where everyone feels they belong. We’ve heard from people across the state how important communication is and yet how hard it is. 

For the second session of the annual Nebraska summer welcoming convening we will welcome Brittany Ford! She will share best practices for providing language access at the local level and offer helpful resources. Additionally, she will inform us about who is required to provide language access. Join us to learn more about language access and to connect with welcoming leaders across the state on July 19th starting at 10am CT (9AM MT)! 

Meet Brittany Ford

Brittany has been immersed in welcoming and inclusion work since she led the nationally recognized initiative Welcome Toledo-Lucas County (TLC) and led the project for Lucas County to become the second county in the U.S. designated Certified Welcoming with strong local inclusion practices. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as the Language Access Coordinator for Lucas County’s emergency services and public health departments.  

Brittany is the Client Principal and Co-Owner of Language Equity & Access Partners (LEAP) LLC, a consulting firm founded in 2021 to support language access program design, immigrant and refugee community engagement and strategic planning. 

Look Forward to Lived Expertise on Local Boards

Be sure to also mark your calendar to join us August 9, 10:00-11:30 am CT (9:00-10:30 am MT) for Session 3: We’re All In for Lived Expertise on Local Boards. 

It’s not too late for friends and co-workers to register! You are welcome to share!

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Meet Eric Garcia-Mendez, our New Welcoming Coordinator!

Join us in welcoming our new Welcoming Coordinator, Eric Garcia-Mendez!

Hi, my name is Eric Garcia-Mendez! I am excited to begin working at Nebraska Appleseed as the new Welcoming Coordinator. After four years in the non-profit sector working on welcoming and belonging in Grand Island, I will now be using my experience to connect and elevate the welcoming and belonging work across the state. Growing up in rural Nebraska in an immigrant family, I lived in a very culturally rich and diverse community that has shaped my understanding of belonging. I am very fortunate to have been able to attain a public school education and later a bachelor of science in Environmental Economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I have worked professionally as a Conversation Director with Conservation Nebraska and as a Director of Community Connections at the Heartland United Way in Grand Island.

As I begin working at Nebraska Appleseed I will be traveling to visit community partners, local leaders and welcoming communities all across the state. If you have any local restaurant food recommendations or would like to tell me what’s really special about your community, I would like to meet with you! 

In the meantime I want to let you know about some upcoming learning opportunities for you! Check them out:

Race Forward, November 20-22 in Saint Louis, MO: This is the nation’s largest multiracial, intergenerational racial justice conference and is a vital intersection where community organizers, activists, and movement makers converge to build power and strategies to advance racial justice. Attendees have unprecedented access to resources, information, and collaborative opportunities geared towards advancing racial equity for all.

National Immigrant Inclusion Conference, December 8-10 in Houston, TX. The National Immigrant Inclusion Conference (NIIC) is the nation’s largest gathering of the entire sector working on behalf of our country’s immigrants and refugees. The conference is an inspiring, intersectional and collegial space that showcases the expertise and innovation of a wide range of leaders, organizations, and networks all working on behalf of America’s immigrants and refugees and towards a shared vision of a welcoming, inclusive and equitable democracy.

Panhandle Welcoming Communities Conference, June 20 9:00-4:00 (MT), Gering Civic Center, 1050 M Street, Gering, NE. This conference, hosted by Empowering Families, focuses on providing professionals and community leaders a forum for awareness, dialogue, and skill-building to create welcoming and inclusive environments. National and statewide experts will discuss topics including arts & public health, healthcare disparities, cross cultural communication, Latinx/Hispanic identity in the Midwest, and overcoming community divisions through mindful response.

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Nebraska Welcoming Session 1 on June 7! Welcoming Week & Belonging Events

See you at Session 1: We’re All In for Belonging & Welcoming Week 2024

Friday, June 7th from 10:00-11:30 am CST (9:00-10:30 am MT) on Zoom

Join community members from across Nebraska who are building thriving communities of belonging!

We hope to see you at the first session of this year’s 10th-annual (virtual) statewide welcoming convening series, where we’ll share ideas and inspiration for Welcoming Week 2024 as well as community inclusion efforts throughout the year! Every September, communities across Nebraska and the country host Welcoming Week events, and it is an opportunity to celebrate and embrace belonging work.

In this session, we’ll get to hear about Welcoming Week ideas and tips from local Nebraska leaders, while also sharing and getting feedback on our own ideas for spaces to bring neighbors together to build belonging. 

Together, we’re all in for:

Learning about positive practices and purpose for Land Acknowledgements at our Welcoming Week and belonging events. We’ll hear from Renee Sans Souci, scholar and Umoⁿhoⁿ woman, about making Land Acknowledgements meaningful, and how to go beyond a single statement to other steps that create change and continue to honor Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of the land and recognize their important ongoing relationship with the land.

Dreaming big with Unity in Action from South Sioux City, as they share how the Celebrate Siouxland festival started small and incrementally grew to the BIG celebration with many community partners that it is today.

 

 

Celebrating Nebraska’s rich history of welcoming immigrants with Chris Hochstetler from the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island. Learn about the deep work going on in Grand Island, as the community embraces its immigrant history. 

 

 

Please let us know what you need to be able to participate!

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that allow all participants to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Christa Yoakum (402-438-8853 x114, cyoakum@neappleseed.org) or Eric Garcia-Mendez (402-438-8853 x113, egarciamendez@neappleseed.org). We will try our best to accommodate requests. 

During these summer sessions, you will have the opportunity to hear and learn from experienced local leaders, participate in workshops, and network with peers, all with the aim of enhancing our collective knowledge and skills. Hope to see you for the following Fridays!

Remember to mark your calendars and plan to join us for the rest of the series as well:

  • July 19, 10:00-11:30 am CT (9:00-10:30 am MT) – Session 2: We’re All In for Language Access
  • August 9, 10:00-11:30 am CT (9:00-10:30 am MT) – Session 3: We’re All In for Lived Expertise on Local Boards
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Register Now! ‘We’re All In for Belonging’ Welcoming Convening Series

Join community leaders from across Nebraska who are building vibrant communities of belonging! 

Join our (virtual) annual statewide welcoming convening series – which brings together community leaders from all over Nebraska to share experiences, insights, and strategies for building welcoming and inclusive communities. 

During these summer sessions, we will have the opportunity to hear and learn from experienced local leaders, participate in workshops, and network with peers, all with the aim of enhancing our collective knowledge and skills. We hope you will join us on the following Fridays as we work toward building belonging for all. 

Save the dates now and register for the series!

(You can register for the series and attend whichever dates work for you!)

June 7 10:00-11:30am CT (9:00-10:30am MT)
Session 1: We’re All In for Belonging & Welcoming Week 2024

Every year, communities across Nebraska host September Welcoming Week events as one way of building communities of belonging. These events – large and small – are a great way to bring neighbors together to learn about one another and celebrate what they love about their community. In this session, we’ll share tips and ideas on hosting neighbor-to-neighbor events and building strong inclusion practices any time during the year, and especially as we prepare for Welcoming Week 2024! This year’s theme, We’re All In, invites communities to showcase how they’re building places that value all perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. Learn what others are all in on and hear from leaders who have hosted successful Welcoming Week events across the state! Are you all in on civic participation? Or sharing culture? Or healthy communities? 

July 19 10:00-11:30am CT (9:00-10:30am MT)
Session 2: We’re All In for Language Access

Being able to communicate is foundational to belonging. Language Access furthers organizational and community change efforts that advance equity and access for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Together, we’ll learn the significance of Language Access, best practices and resources, and where to start with a plan as we strive to provide more equitable access to health care, local government and services. 

August 9 10:00-11:30am CT (9:00-10:30 MT)
Session 3: We’re All In for Lived Expertise on Local Boards

We know that people who have lived expertise as immigrant community members, leaders of color, and other diverse backgrounds bring fresh perspectives and experiences that enrich decision making, and can deepen understanding of community dynamics, but how do we ensure new members and the board are prepared? What are the expectations and duties of board members? How will the board receive new ideas? We’ll explore how to prepare new board members and the boards themselves.  

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Understanding Ramadan

Hello, I’m Amany Al-Barakat, a Muslim who has been observing Ramadan for the last couple of years. Ramadan is not just a month on the Islamic calendar; it is a profound spiritual journey that holds deep significance for Muslims worldwide. In this blog post, I’d like to share with you the essence of Ramadan, its practices, and its transformative impact on the lives of those who observe it.

What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered the holiest month for Muslims. It is a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. The fast, known as Sawm, begins at dawn (Suhoor) and ends at sunset (Iftar). During this period, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sinful behaviors.

The Meaning and Significance of Ramadan:
Ramadan holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims as it commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is a month of spiritual purification, self-discipline, and increased devotion to God. Fasting during Ramadan is not merely about refraining from physical needs but is also about cultivating inner qualities such as patience, gratitude, and empathy towards others.

What Do Muslims Do During Ramadan?
During Ramadan, Muslims engage in various acts of worship and good deeds to draw closer to God and seek His forgiveness. Apart from fasting, Muslims also increase their recitation of the Quran, engage in extra prayers, and give to charity (Zakat and Sadaqah). The atmosphere is filled with a sense of community and solidarity as families and friends gather to break their fasts together and share meals (Iftar).

Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power
One of the most significant events during Ramadan is Laylat al-Qadr, often referred to as the “Night of Power.” It is believed to be the night when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is uncertain, but it is most commonly observed on the odd nights during the last ten days of Ramadan. 

Laylat al-Qadr is a night of immense blessings, forgiveness, and spiritual enlightenment. Muslims spend the night in prayer, supplication, and recitation of the Quran, seeking God’s mercy and guidance. It is a time of deep reflection and introspection, as Muslims strive to maximize their worship and good deeds on this auspicious night, believing that the rewards are multiplied manifold.

Support friends, colleagues and neighbors during Ramadan:
As Ramadan is a significant time for Muslims, showing support and understanding can mean a lot to those observing this sacred month. One of the best ways to show support is by being curious and learning more about Ramadan. Educating oneself about the practices and significance of Ramadan can foster understanding and respect. Additionally, sharing well wishes such as ‘Ramadan Kareem’ (Noble Ramadan) and showing grace and patience to Muslim colleagues and friends during this time is important. Your kindness and consideration will be greatly appreciated and will help create a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone during this special time.

Eid al-Fitr: The Festival of Breaking the Fast
After a month of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection, Ramadan culminates in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast. It is a joyous occasion that marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, the next month in the Islamic calendar.

Eid al-Fitr is a time of celebration, gratitude, and unity. Muslims gather in mosques or open spaces to perform the special Eid prayer, followed by festive meals, gatherings with family and friends and the exchange of gifts. It is a day to express gratitude to God for His blessings and to rejoice in the spiritual growth achieved during Ramadan.

In conclusion, Ramadan is a sacred month that offers Muslims an opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation, self-improvement, and increased devotion to God. It is a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community, culminating in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Ramadan Kareem to all!

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Join us at the 2024 Welcoming Interactive in Dallas, Texas!

As we all navigate the path towards fostering inclusivity and belonging for all in our communities, here’s an exciting opportunity on the horizon – the Welcoming Interactive happening from April 10-12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

The Welcoming Interactive provides a unique platform to learn from successful practices and inspiring examples of immigrant inclusion. 

In Dallas, we will have the chance to connect together with other Nebraskans – including government officials, nonprofit leaders, educators, and more –  from across the country to learn together, share successes and challenges, and gain valuable insights into positive practices for building more welcoming and inclusive communities. Interactive sessions focus on immigrant inclusion, programs, policies, and partnerships on economic development, civic engagement, government leadership, and more!

To sweeten the deal, there is an early bird registration rate of $350 available until January 26. I believe that your participation in the Welcoming Interactive will contribute significantly to our collective ongoing efforts to foster a more welcoming community.

More than 30 Nebraska leaders attended the 2023 Welcoming Interactive in San Jose, California.

For more information about the Welcoming Interactive and registration details, please visit the website.

If you are planning to attend, please let Christa know, so we can connect in Dallas!

Looking forward to your participation and the positive impact it will bring to the community!