“Minnesota nice” made a strong comeback the week of September 9, as more than a dozen hosts organized events to welcome and celebrate newcomers of all backgrounds. Alexandria residents sampled various cultural dishes, such as sambusa and salsa, while enjoying cultural performances at Alex Tech. Ice cream and bouncy houses welcomed new families to the West Central Area schools. Moorhead organizations hosted three picnics to gather new and longtime neighbors, and the city of Barnesville offered pancakes, volleyball, and rummage sales to hold space for the more than 80+ families that have moved to the city since the start of the pandemic. And these are just some of the many activities that took place during Welcoming Week in west central Minnesota.
Salad Bowl Welcoming Week Event
These efforts were just part of Welcoming Week, a national movement organized by Welcoming America. Welcoming America’s mission is “to support communities building a welcoming society where every person, including immigrants, can fully contribute and shape our shared prosperity.”
This year, West Central Initiative offered sponsorships of up to $500 sponsorships to local hosts organizing events. “Our intent was to let community leaders within each town take the lead and really make this their own,” explained Rick Schara, Community Engagement Specialist. “We received a plethora of creative ideas to sponsor. From there, we did our best to support community partners with whatever we could,” said Celeste Koppe, Assistant Community Planner.
Some events focused on bringing community members together for celebratory activities, and others held space to examine issues faced by immigrants and refugees. Representatives from the Immigration Law Center of Minnesota gave informational sessions on the process to become a U.S. citizen and answered questions from residents going through or considering the process. Resilient Moorhead combined a picnic and yard games with focus groups to examine equity and inclusivity within the city.
“What’s most exciting to see are the connections and efforts prompted through Welcoming Week that will continue throughout the year,” Schara noted. The communities of Alexandria and Moorhead are undergoing broader efforts to address inclusivity and equity, and the momentum of these initiatives translated into the energy surrounding Welcoming Week in the region.
“Results build trust,” offered a Moorhead Resident during a Welcoming Week event. Both new and longtime residents are eager to participate in and see the results of conversations surrounding social trust in the region.
