Category: Events

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Join us for a Welcoming Week Workshop – August 20th!

Welcoming Week 2026

Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect
Welcoming Week: September 10-19 and beyond!

Each year, people and communities across Nebraska, the country, and globe – come together to celebrate what makes our neighborhoods stronger: connection, belonging, and the people who call them home. This is a wonderful time to connect with both new and longtime neighbors, celebrate diverse cultures and embrace the universal value of inclusion.

This year’s Welcoming Week theme “Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect” reminds us that welcoming starts with a simple but courageous act: reaching out. It takes courage to introduce yourself to someone new, to share your own story and to ask a question with curiosity.

Our stories help us understand one another. They reveal not only our different journeys but also what we share in common like values, hopes, and dreams. When we choose connection over assumption, curiosity over fear, and conversation over division, we create stronger communities where everyone thrives.

Join us for a Welcoming Week Workshop – August 20th!

On Thursday, August 20th from 1:00 pm CT – 2:15 pm CT (12 pm MT – 1:15 pm MT) we will be hosting a virtual workshop dedicated to help you plan your Welcoming Week event and an opportunity to connect and share with others the best practices that you have used to plan your events in past years.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with folks hosting Welcoming Week events all across the state and those who are hosting their first event. Whether you are new or have hosted an event before, this is an opportune time to share your experiences and learn along the way.

Fill out this quick sign up form so we can send you the virtual meeting invite! 

Topics we will go over: 

  • Outreach/Promoting your event. 
  • Generating ideas on what type of event you can host (there is still plenty of time to plan!) 
  • Ask any questions you might have with local experts from across Nebraska.
  • Connect with others who can help or learn from what you are doing. 
  • And more topics!

Resources to help plan your event & participate at home, virtually or in your workplace/community group!

Explore the Welcoming Week Toolkit! This toolkit contains resources and guidance to support you in planning and promoting Welcoming Week events. You can find social media templates, media relations support, logos and other graphics, event planning guides and event examples.

Can’t host an event this year? Join a virtual event or participate in a Welcoming Week event here in Nebraska or outside the state 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 it during your next video call! 

Help spread the message! Share your photos and experiences with welcoming on social media using the hashtag #WelcomingWeek2026. Follow Nebraska Is Home and Welcoming America on Facebook.

Let us know your Welcoming Week plans & schedule a time to connect with us!

Whether you are planning your first Welcoming Week event or your tenth, we’re here as a resource. If you’d like to brainstorm ideas, find partners, connect with others planning events nearby, or talk through plans, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. 

This year, we are offering some one-on-one options for you to schedule a short 15 minute virtual meeting with us so we can chat more! Click here to book a time to chat. 

Share your event with us! Let us know what you are planning so we can add it to the Nebraska Welcoming Week calendar we will be sending out ahead of Welcoming Week. You can also upload your event on the national Welcoming Week map. (Keep up to date with this calendar to see events in communities across the state and country be added as Welcoming Week approaches!)

Please email your event information to Christa (cyoakum@neappleseed.org) & Eric (egarciamendez@neappleseed.org)

NEW Resources you can use during Welcoming Week & Beyond!

As we gather together over the remainder of the year, you might be looking for some simple tools to have some meaningful conversations. Try the Six Questions conversation guide from America, the Beautiful.

  1. What is the American dream?
  2. What is the American promise?
  3. When in your American life have you felt most free?
  4. Who are this country’s founding mothers? What would this country be if it were founded by women?
  5. If money were light, how much would the U.S. have to spend?
  6. For whom America, the beautiful?

The guide features six thought provoking questions designed to spark curiosity, encourage listening, and help people connect across different backgrounds and experiences. These questions can be incorporated into community conversions, shared meals, book clubs, classrooms, workplaces, faith communities or Welcoming Week events of any size.

Need some examples of how to gather? Explore the Recipe Box, which offers creative ideas and simple activities – including conversation guides and community gathering ideas. The resources are designed for schools, businesses, faith communities, organizations, libraries and neighborhoods looking to create welcoming spaces for all.

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Join us as we explore how collaboration across sectors can strengthen communities where everyone has the opportunity to belong!

See you at Session 3 : The Value of Multisector Partnerships
Wednesday, August 5, 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT) on Zoom

Building strong, welcoming communities doesn’t happen in isolation; it takes all of us. It happens when educators, local government, nonprofits, faith communities, businesses, and neighbors work together toward a shared vision and commitment to belonging. 

During this third session, we will explore how two communities, separated by geography but connected by a shared commitment to belonging—have built valuable collaborative partnerships in unique and inspiring ways. Through their stories and experiences, we will discover the shared values and strategies that help create more connected and welcoming communities. 

In Emporia, Kansas, a crisis became an opportunity for collaboration. When the local Tyson Foods plant closed, nearly 800 people suddenly found themselves without work. Rather than responding in isolation, the local government, the Chamber of Commerce, educational institutions, mental health providers, workforce partners and community organizations came together to support affected families. Join LeLan Dains, Executive Director of Kansas Spanish Speakers, as he shares how these cross-sector partnerships helped people find new opportunities and strengthened Emporia’s commitment to welcoming. Those collaborative efforts ultimately contributed to Emporia earning the 1-star Certified Welcoming designation from Welcoming America. 

In North Platte, Nebraska, TinaMaria Fernandez, Executive Director at HOPE–Esperanza has spent years building relationships across sectors to address community challenges together. Through community conversations, community needs assessment, and a focus on building trust, these partnerships have improved language access, strengthened support for families and created more welcoming systems throughout the community. TinaMaria will share how lasting change happens when organizations move beyond working in silos and commit to solving challenges together. 

Whether you’re part of a nonprofit, business, school, local government, healthcare organization, faith community, or you’re simply someone who cares about your neighbors, this session will leave you with practical ideas for building stronger partnerships in your own community.

Meet our local and national speakers for session three!

LeLan Dains 

LeLan Dains is the Founder and Executive Director of Kansas Spanish Speakers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people, cultures, and opportunities across the region. Through innovative programs in workforce development, entrepreneurship, language access, and community engagement, he works to remove barriers and strengthen communities. A passionate advocate for rural revitalization and belonging, LeLan is also a recognized leader in gravel cycling, having been inducted into the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame in 2025. He is known for bringing people together, building bridges across cultures, and helping communities create opportunities where everyone can thrive.

TinaMaria Fernandez

TinaMaria Fernandez is a North Platte native, community leader, and the Founder and Executive Director of HOPE–Esperanza, a grassroots nonprofit she launched in 2021 to support newcomer and minority families in her hometown. Under her leadership, the organization has grown into a trusted, community-centered hub offering barrier-focused programs and services.

As the daughter of an immigrant family that experienced separation due to the complexities of the immigration system, TinaMaria’s lived experience deeply shapes her work. She brings both personal insight and professional expertise, grounding her leadership in empathy, cultural understanding, and a deep commitment to belonging. With a professional background spanning nursing, counseling, social work, and community advocacy, she takes a uniquely integrated approach—bridging clinical care with compassion while addressing the social determinants of health.

In addition to her community work, TinaMaria is a co-author of the children’s book Nico’s New Home, written with her son Micah, reflecting themes of transition, resilience, and belonging.

Save the Date for our final session!

Each of these sessions will include stories from local leaders, interactive workshops, and time to connect with others. We hope you’ll join us as well for the September session as we learn more about how we all belong in welcoming. More details to come on this final session!

Session 4: Community Arts for Wellness and Belonging

  • Wednesday, September 2nd, 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT)

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

Your Zoom link is unique just like you. To find your link to join, search your email for “Nebraska is Home: ‘We all Belong in Welcoming’ – Summer Welcoming Convening Confirmation”)

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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Join us for Session 2 (July 1) – Building Community with Belonging Barometer

Join us in learning about the Belonging Barometer, a tool for building thriving communities of belonging!

See you at Session 2 : Belonging Barometer – Tools for Building Community

Wednesday, July 1st, 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT) on Zoom

Come learn together as we dig deep into the belonging barometer for Session 2 of the 12th-annual statewide welcoming convening (virtual) summer series! We just wrapped up our first session with community leaders from across Nebraska and beyond, who gathered, shared ideas, and discovered new stories and understanding along the way.

We invite you to come learn about the Belonging Barometer, a tool developed by the American Immigration Council and Over Zero to measure how strongly people feel they belong in settings such as their family, friendships, workplace, local community, and the nation. The Belonging Barometer is valuable because it provides a clear, research-based way to measure something that is often difficult to quantify. It moves beyond assumptions and anecdotes by offering data that helps organizations understand how community members truly feel about connection, inclusion, and trust.

Additionally, the Belonging Barometer serves as a foundation for action. It not only diagnoses challenges but also guides program development, policy decisions, and resource allocation. For organizations here in Nebraska like Empowering Families in Scottsbluff, it ensures that efforts to build belonging are data-informed, intentional, and responsive to real community needs.

Ultimately, its value lies in turning a complex, deeply human experience into actionable insights that can strengthen trust, connection, and overall community well-being.

 

 

 

 

Meet our local and national speakers for session two!

Emily Baird-Chrisohon 

Emily Baird-Chrisohon is an experienced trainer, facilitator, and program manager.  At the Center for Inclusion and Belonging, Emily utilizes her experience in advocacy, narrative change, and program development to shape public narrative campaigns and foster inclusive communities.

Before joining the American Immigration Council, Emily served as the Narrative and Engagement Manager with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition where she drove initiatives to shift public opinion on immigration through research, deep canvassing, and faith-based organizing. Emily has also led interreligious dialogue efforts with Religions for Peace USA’s “A Seat at the Table” program, designed to bridge differences and share stories over a common meal.  

Emily was born and raised in Florence, Alabama. She holds a B.A. from Berry College and a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. Emily resides in Tennessee, where you can find her hiking, reading a good book, or enjoying Nashville’s incredible music scene. 

Valeria Rodriguez

Valeria Rodriguez, Executive Director of Empowering Families in Scottsbluff/Gering, Nebraska, holds a B.A. in Spanish and Political Science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nebraska–Omaha. She co-founded Empowering Families in 2018, driven by a passion for community advocacy and building collective power. 

During her MPA program in fall 2023, Valeria utilized the Barometer of Belonging to assess the sense of belonging in Scotts Bluff County. This research continues to inform and guide Empowering Families’ programs and strategic priorities.

Valeria’s leadership is defined by her unwavering commitment to empowering communities, fostering civic engagement, and advancing meaningful, community-centered change.

Save these dates for our next two sessions!

Each of these sessions will include stories from local leaders, interactive workshops, and time to connect with others. We hope you’ll join us on these Wednesdays as we learn more about how we all belong in welcoming. More details to come on these final two sessions!

Session 3: The Value of Multisector Partnerships

  • Wednesday, August 5th, 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT)

Session 4:  Arts for Wellness and Belonging

  • Wednesday, September 2nd, 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT)

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

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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We All Belong in Welcoming! – Session 1 on June 3! Reflecting on the past, building our future

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

See you at Session 1: Roots of Justice – Reflecting on the past, building our future
Wednesday, June 3rd from 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT) on Zoom

We hope to see you at the first session of this year’s 12th-annual (virtual) statewide welcoming convening series, where we’ll share ideas and inspiration for community inclusion efforts throughout the year! 

In this first session we will be exploring histories of race and racism in Nebraska through ‘Roots of Justice’ a profound examination of the state’s racial history — and powerful stories of diverse cultures in our state. This book challenges the long-held belief that Nebraska was free from racial prejudice. These less-known histories offer a nuanced perspective that reshapes our understanding that the history of Nebraska is ever unfolding.

The project has been guided by a nine-person Truth & Reconciliation Steering Committee. Teams of historians gathered well-documented and accurate accounts of five board groups in our state: Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and Refugees. This book is essential reading for those seeking truth and reconciliation. Two of the authors, Dr. Dewayne Mays and Dr. Emira Ibrahimpašić, will join us for this exploration and discussion. 

Dr. Emira Ibrahimpašić 

Dr. Emira Ibrahimpašić is Associate Professor of Practice, Assistant Director of Global Studies, and Director of the Museum Studies Certificate in the School of Global Integrative Studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico and an MBA with a specialization in nonprofit management from UNL. Her interdisciplinary research and teaching focus on forced migration, refugee resettlement, and community-based approaches to immigrant integration, with a particular emphasis on Nebraska. She teaches courses on global studies and cultural anthropology, and collaborates with the International Quilt Museum on interdisciplinary, museum-based learning initiatives. She is co-editor and contributor to recent and forthcoming publications on refugee and immigrant experiences and the history of race and migration in the state, and remains actively engaged in community initiatives related to human rights and refugee support.

Dr. Dewayne Mays

Dr. Dewayne Mays is president of the NAACP Lincoln Branch where he is an outspoken advocate for education and job opportunities for young people of color. In addition to his role with Roots of Justice, Dewayne compiled the history of the branch for the centennial. Dewayne holds a PhD and is now retired from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. After leading work as a Special Consultant for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Botswana, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dewayne has been dedicated to social justice and civic participation and has served on both board of directors of both ACLU of Nebraska and Nebraska Appleseed. 

Curious to learn more about Roots of Justice?

Ahead of our conversation, we invite you to spend a little time with these short clips from the authors featured throughout this project!

Don’t worry if you aren’t able to watch everything or check out the book beforehand, you’ll still be able to fully engage and enjoy the conversation with us!

Curious to learn even more? 

Buy the book | Download the book for free! | Roots of Justice Website

 

Save these dates! More information on these sessions to come! 

Session 2: Belonging Barometer: Tools for Building Community 

  • Wednesday, July 1st, 10:30am – 12:00pm CT (9:30 – 11:00am MT)

Session 3: The Value of Multisector Partnerships

  • Wednesday, August 5th, 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT)

Session 4:  Arts for Wellness and Belonging

  • Wednesday, September 2nd, 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT)

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

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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Register Now! Announcing Sessions for “We All Belong In Welcoming”

Join community leaders from Nebraska and beyond who are building inclusive and vibrant communities! 

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

During these summer sessions, we will have the opportunity to hear 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 Wednesdays 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!)

Session 1:
Roots of Justice – Reflecting on the past, building our future

Wednesday, June 3
10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT)

Explore the histories of race and racism in Nebraska through ‘Roots of Justice’ a profound examination of the state’s racial history – and powerful stories of diverse cultures in our state. This book challenges the long-held belief that Nebraska was free from racial prejudice, offering a nuanced perspective that reshapes our understanding. Two of the authors, Dewayne Mays and Emira Ibrahimpašić, will join us for this exploration and discussion. This book is essential reading for those seeking truth and reconciliation.

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

Session 2:
Belonging Barometer: Tools for Building Community

Wednesday, July 1
10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT)

The Belonging Barometer is valuable because it provides a clear, research-based way to measure something that is often difficult to quantify. The Belonging Barometer serves as a foundation for action and moves beyond assumptions and anecdotes by offering data that helps organizations understand how community members truly feel about connection, inclusion, and trust. It ensures that efforts to build belonging are data-driven, intentional, and responsive to real community needs and guides program development, policy decisions and resource allocation.

Ultimately, its value lies in turning a complex, deeply human experience into actionable insights that can strengthen trust, connection, and overall community well-being.

Session 3:
The Value of Multisector Partnerships

Wednesday, August 5
10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT)

Collaboration creates cohesion and is important to building long lasting infrastructure for sustainable welcoming and inclusion in local communities. Yet every community is unique in its history, in who holds power and who has energy and dedication to grow inclusion. We’ll explore examples of different approaches to multisector partnerships and discuss where we find the energy for bridging and building belonging. 

Session 4:
Arts for Wellness and Belonging

Wednesday, September 2
10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT) 

For the artist and for the observers art can be healing, uniting, and promotes belonging. It fosters community building among individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, resulting in a stronger sense of belonging, reduced isolation and anxiety, and expanded social networks. Join us to hear how local Nebraska communities are using arts for wellness and belonging.

 

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

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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Upcoming Events: Connect with other Welcomers!

We wanted to highlight a few upcoming webinars and convenings and learning opportunities to  support your welcoming and inclusion goals.  

Welcoming Week 2026

Welcoming Week is an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate the values that make places more welcoming and inclusive for all who live there.

In the months leading up to Welcoming Week, it’s time to start brainstorming ways to get involved. Whether you plan a local event or share your thoughts on social media, anyone who engages with Welcoming Week is taking a bold step in fostering belonging for all, including immigrants and refugees.

Want to participate in Welcoming Week, but not sure where to start? Check out the Welcoming Week toolkit for ideas and resources to prepare for September 10-19, 2026.

Learn more and connect with other organizers:

  • Tuesday, April 21 | 1 PM ET (Multilingual: English, Italian, Spanish, French)
    Register here 
  • Tuesday, April 21 | 7 PM ET (English)
    Register here

Nebraska Is Home: We All Belong in Welcoming (Summer Virtual Series)

Watch for the email to register soon! This series offers resources and conversations with people both in Nebraska and across the country who will share their experiences and practical tactics. Topics include exploring the history of race and racism in Nebraska, discovering new tools for building belonging, and how community partnerships advance welcoming and inclusion. We’ll also discuss arts as healing for artists and the community. 

Othering and Belonging Conference 

The Othering and Belonging Conference will be held in Louisville, KY October 9-10. This is an immersive, two-day gathering with leaders from grassroots movements, research and academia, arts and culture, policymaking and government, philanthropy and business—united by a common purpose to fostering inclusive, multiracial, pluralistic democracies and building a bigger “we.”

Facing Race Conference 

Facing Race will be held in Raleigh, NC November 12-14. This is the nation’s largest multiracial, intergenerational racial justice conference. This biennial, one-of-a-kind gathering serves as a vital intersection where community organizers, activists, artists, educators, and movement makers converge to build power and develop strategies to advance racial justice.

National Immigrant Inclusion Conference

The National Immigrant Inclusion Conference is a biennial convening taking place in Los Angeles, CA December 8-9. NIIC celebrates our commitment to an inclusive democracy that welcomes, integrates and uplifts all, recognizing the vital contributions and impact all communities have on our nation. 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.

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Stories We Shared – Photos from Welcoming Week 2025 & Beyond!

Welcoming Week 2025: Stories We Share

Welcoming Week: September 12-21 and beyond!


Welcoming Week 2025 has been a beautiful celebration of Nebraska’s cultural richness, inclusion, and building strong connected communities – with a few more events still to come! This year, creative Welcomers across Nebraska are hosting over 70 events in more than 9 communities across the state from Scottsbluff and Grand Island to Crete and South Sioux City. Events included local business tours, community celebrations, cultural festivals and performances, main street parades, learning events and conversations, 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 #WelcomingWeek2025 events that have happened across Nebraska:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Celebrando Siouxland & Lotería Night with Unity in Action and many local partners

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Are One & Salsa Night with Grand Island Welcoming Initiative

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrate Crete with Doane University and Crete in Motion 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Fun Night with Lexington Public Library & TinaMaria – HOPE Esperanza

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Potluck with HOPE Esperanza & Friends

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Lincoln Unites! Celebration & Karen Society of Nebraska service project

Join the Statewide Celebration: Nebraska Stories We Share!

This Welcoming Week kicked off a story gathering effort that continues after Welcoming Week through the year. Nebraskans everywhere are lifting up the journeys, traditions and roots that connect us all. 

It’s easy to join! Just follow these easy steps:

  1. First, select a story prompt to use to tell your story.
  2. Second, select how to share your story.
  3. Third, use our toolkit to find tools and resources to help tell your story. 

Access the toolkit here to learn more and join us! 

(You will have access to social media templates, and printouts for in-person gatherings)

Don’t forget to submit your own story and be featured on Nebraska is Home social media, helping inspire connection and belonging across our state. Together, we’re showing that We Belong Together. 

 

Beyond Welcoming Week events to come!

Click here to find a few more local Nebraska events NEAR YOU! …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 2025 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 Continues! More events across Nebraska!

Welcoming Week: September 12-21 and beyond!

& Public Calendar of Nebraska Events

Nebraskans across the state have kicked off Welcoming Week with a great start and we’re still celebrating! In communities from Scottsbluff to South Sioux City, there are film screenings, dance parties, community art, local business tours, family fun nights & story hours, local service projects, street food – so many ways to connect, learn, and have fun with neighbors! 

There are events every day across Nebraska with more over the weekend. Bring your family! Invite your neighbor! Ask a co-worker to join you! 


 

 

 

 

Community members celebrate Lincoln’s 4 Star Welcoming City Certification reflecting years of community collaboration across sectors to ensure all residents can fully participate in and contribute to community life. Lincoln joins Crete as the second Certified Welcoming City. 


 

 

 

 

Grand Island Neighbors gathered for the 4th Street Business Tour! 


 

 

 


Latino Festivals are happening in many communities during Hispanic Heritage Month. 

 

Click here to find local Nebraska events NEAR YOU! Nebraskans across the state are hosting cultural performances, learning events, festivals and parades, and sharing food and stories of belonging and more! See this calendar of more than 70 events in communities across Nebraska!

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!

Participate in the Statewide Effort: Nebraska Stories We Share!

This Welcoming Week, Nebraskans everywhere are lifting up the journeys, traditions and roots that connect us all. 

It’s easy to join: share your story using one of our prompts and post on your own social media, share in person or submit your story to us! 

Click here to learn more about the effort and join us!

Don’t forget to submit your own story and be featured on Nebraska is Home social media, helping inspire connection and belonging across our state. Together, we’re showing that We Belong Together. 

 

Print a Welcomer sign for your office/business, post on social media, or use the Toolkit to create social media graphics, email banners or virtual meeting backgrounds in your next video call! 

Reach out to Eric and Christa if you’d like to discuss doing something in your workplace, among friends, at your place of worship or somewhere else. We have some ideas that could be done with quick planning. 

Engage on social media! Share your photos and experiences with welcoming on social media using the hashtag #WelcomingWeek2025. Follow Nebraska Is Home and Welcoming America on Facebook or @WelcomingUSA on Instagram.

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Welcoming Week events across Nebraska! September 13-22

Welcoming Week 2025 is here!

Welcoming Week: September 12-21 and beyond! & Public Calendar of Nebraska Events

Welcoming Week is a great opportunity to get to know neighbors – new and old – to build strong and connected communities, 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 “The Stories We Share“ invites us all to build understanding and celebrate our differences while also finding what we have in common. Through that understanding, we can help shape what comes next alongside our neighbors. 

Join neighbors here in Nebraska, across the country and around the globe, where community members are recognizing, no matter where we’re from and our different backgrounds, our common values and our future call on us to imagine what we can achieve when we listen and learn from one another. Across Nebraska, there are film screenings, dance parties, community art, local business tours, family fun nights & story hours, local service projects, street food – so many ways to connect, learn, and have fun with neighbors!

We know that here in Nebraska, welcoming is a core part of who we are, and we have a proud history of welcoming. No matter our different backgrounds, we share traditions and stories that started first in community, in finding commonalities, and in supporting each other as people, friends, and neighbors. 

You can enjoy Welcoming Week whether you are organizing an activity, sharing a message of community, or are just curious about getting to know your neighbors. 

Check out these Local Nebraska Welcoming Week Events & More!

Click here to find local Nebraska events NEAR YOU! Nebraskans across the state 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 Nebraska!

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!

Share Your Story – Be Part of Nebraska Stories We Share!

This Welcoming Week, we are lifting up the journeys, traditions and roots that connect us all. Join people across Nebraska in Stories We Share by posting your own story or photo and using the hashtag #StoriesWeShareNE. 

Click here to learn more about the campaign and join us!

Your story could be featured on Nebraska is Home social media, helping inspire connection and belonging across our state. Together, we’re showing that We Belong Together.

Here’s how else you can participate if you cannot attend an event!

Print a Welcomer sign for your office/business, post on social media, or use the Toolkit to create social media graphics, email banners or virtual meeting backgrounds in your next video call! 

Reach out to either of us (Eric and Christa) if you’d like to discuss doing something in your workplace, among friends, at your place of worship or somewhere else. We have some ideas that could be done with quick planning. 

Engage on social media! Share your photos and experiences with welcoming on social media using the hashtag #WelcomingWeek2025. Follow Nebraska Is Home and Welcoming America on Facebook or @WelcomingUSA on Instagram.

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Welcoming Week Coming Soon! September 12-21

Welcoming Week 2025: Stories We Share

Welcoming Week: September 12-21 and beyond!

Every year, in communities across Nebraska and across the country and globe, community members host a variety of learning, celebration, arts, culture, and other events during and beyond Welcoming Week!

Welcoming Week is a meaningful time to connect with both new and longtime neighbors, celebrate diverse cultures, and embrace the universal value of inclusion – because our communities are strongest when everyone feels they belong. This year’s Welcoming Week theme “Stories We Share” aims to celebrate differences and spot what we have in common through the Stories We Share. 

During Welcoming Week, bring your community together around the stories we share: stories that connect us and make us stronger. By sharing stories, we build understanding. Through that understanding, we shape what’s next. Our future’s calling us to imagine what we can achieve when we listen and learn from one another. 

Here’s how to participate & plan your event:

Access the Welcoming Week Toolkit! This toolkit contains resources and guidance to support you in planning and promoting Welcoming Week events. You can find social media tips and assets, media relations support, logos and other visuals, event planning best practices and event examples, as well as information on this year’s theme: Stories We Share! 

Let us know your plans for local events, so we can add them to the Nebraska Welcoming Week Calendar! (Email us: egarciamendez@neappleseed.org & cyoakum@neappleseed.org.) Nebraskans are hosting cultural performances, learning events, festivals and parades, and sharing food and stories of belonging and more! Also you may add your events to the Welcoming America map here! Keep up to date with this calendar to see events in communities across the state and country be added as Welcoming Week approaches!

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 it during your next video call! 

Engage on social media! Share your photos and experiences with welcoming on social media using the hashtag “#WelcomingWeek2025”. Follow Nebraska Is Home and Welcoming America on Facebook. 

We are here to help! Remember to reach out to Eric or Christa with any questions or thought partnership you may need in your planning! 

Join us for the 11th-Annual Welcoming Convening Series – Bridging to Belonging!

We hope to see you at our next session of this year’s 11th-annual (virtual) statewide welcoming convening series, where we’ll share ideas and inspiration for community inclusion efforts throughout the year! 

Session 2: Authentic Allyship in Community

Wednesday, July 9th, 10 – 11:30 AM CT (9 – 10:30 AM MT)

Come learn about how you can show up as an authentic ally in your community. Many of us have different skills and comfort levels. Lean into your skills and comfort level and care for the community. This training will be led by Kimara Snipes!

Kimara is the creator of the Authentic Allyship training series, which supports individuals and institutions in moving beyond performative inclusion toward meaningful, values-based action. Her facilitation style is rooted in asset-based community development, cultural humility, and the belief that storytelling is a tool for transformation.

(Zoom link to join will be sent to your email address after registration)

Kimara Snipes

Kimara Snipes is a respected civic leader, trainer, and community strategist with two decades of experience advancing equity, neighborhood power, and inclusive public engagement. She currently serves as Executive Director of One Omaha, a nonprofit organization that empowers residents to lead where they live, strengthening civic infrastructure through leadership development, grassroots grantmaking, and public engagement strategies.

Born in North Omaha and raised in South Omaha, Kimara brings a citywide perspective shaped by lived experience across communities. A former candidate for mayor, she also serves as Vice President of the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education, where she champions educational equity and student voice. Her deep relationships, paired with her ability to navigate systems from grassroots to government, make her a trusted advocate and connector.

Save these dates! More information on these sessions to come! 

Session 3: Wellness through Indigenous and Immigrant Wisdom

  • Wednesday, August 13th, 7 – 8:30 PM CT (6 – 7:30 PM MT)(Evening Session)

Session 4:  Your Silence Hurts – Disrupting Bias

  • Wednesday, September 10th, 10 – 11:30 AM CT (9 – 10:30 AM MT)


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.