Rural Belonging
Our goal is a world where everyone belongs and can thrive.
We envision a future where all people feel welcome, appreciated for their unique attributes, and connected to their neighbors, communities, and natural environments.
As communities in our region look ahead to grow both economically and socially, building trust and providing a welcoming, safe space for all newcomers is vital.
Weaver Awards
West Central Initiative is one of 25 Community Host organizations for the Weaver Awards, a national initiative of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute.
The Weaver Awards are part of a constellation of activities designed to celebrate and support weavers—everyday neighbors who are building relationships, strengthening belonging, and weaving trust into the social fabric of their communities.
As a Community Host, we’ll build a culture of weaving in west central Minnesota and White Earth Nation by:
- Distributing 20+ microgrants each year for four years to individuals and small nonprofits.
- Identifying local weavers and sharing their stories with our community.
- Convening gatherings that bring people together and help them learn the skills of weaving.
- Joining a national network of local leaders rebuilding trust in communities across the United States.
Welcoming Week
Welcoming Week, is a national movement organized by Welcoming America that helps communities become more welcoming to newcomers, immigrants, and refugees. Welcoming Week celebrations bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong communities and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity.
Welcoming Week Celebrations
2025 Welcoming Week events include:
- Moorhead Welcoming Week Celebration, hosted by Inclusive Moorhead in Moorhead on September 5.
- Headwaters Day, hosted by the City of Breckenridge at Welles Memorial Park on September 13.
- We All Belong, hosted by the Douglas County Library at the library in Alexandria on September 13.
- Welcoming Week, hosted by the Starbuck Chamber of Commerce at The Depot in Starbuck on September 13.
- Chef’s Taste of the Valley, hosted by Doubting Thomas Farm and Renewing the Countryside at Doubting Thomas Farm on September 14.
- Free Community Supper, hosted by the City of Evansville at the Evansville Senior Center on September 14.
- Grant County Get Together, hosted by the Grant County Collaborative at Herman-Norcross school in Herman on September 15.
- New York Mills Welcoming Week Service Fair, hosted by the City of New York Mills and NYM Forward on September 16.
- The Gathering at the River International Potluck, hosted by the Fergus Falls Sunrise and Noon Rotary Clubs and Otter Tail County at Spies Riverfront Pavilion in Fergus Falls on September 16.
- Indigenous Games “Let the Games Begin!”, hosted by Fergus Falls Community Education and ISD 544 Native American Studies at the Otter Fieldhouse in Fergus Falls on September 17.
- The Welcome Table, hosted by Glenwood Lakes Area Welcome Center at Minnewaska House in Glendwood on September 17.
- Cultures and Community Celebration, hosted by Wheaton Chamber of Commerce at Wheaton High School on September 17.
- Global Bites & Beats, hosted by Alexandria Technical and Community College and co-sponsored by Pioneer PBS at the college on September 18.
- Community Night Out, hosted by Conexiones and RUSC Kinship and co-sponsored by Pioneer PBS at East Side Park in Morris on September 18.
- New American Local Foods Celebration, hosted by MANNA Food Co-op at the co-op in Detroit Lakes on September 19.
- Create Your Personal Welcoming Credo, hosted by the Fergus Falls Public Library and the City of Fergus Falls and co-sponsored by Pioneer PBS at the library on September 20.
- Henna Tattoo, hosted by the Douglas County Library at the library in Alexandria on September 20.
- Hispanic Heritage Celebration, hosted by MAHUBE-OTWA at MAHUBE-OTWA in Detroit Lakes on September 24.
- We Stand for All, hosted by The Human Rights and Public Arts Commissions and the Fergus Falls Public Library and co-sponsored by Pioneer PBS at the Fergus Falls Public Library, September 12-21.
- Make Your Mark, hosted by the Douglas County Library at the library in Alexandria, September 12-21.
Thank you to Pioneer PBS for supporting We Stand for All and Create Your Personal Welcoming Credo hosted by the Fergus Falls Public Library, Global Beats & Eats hosted by Alexandria Technical and Community College, and Community Night Out hosted by Conexiones and RUSC Kinship.
2024 Welcoming Week Events include:
- Welcome Wheaton in downtown Wheaton on September 5.
- Greater Moorhead Days Parade at Romkey Park on September 6.
- Henna Activity for All Ages at the Douglas County Library in Alexandria on September 14.
- New Neighbors & New Friends at Doubting Thomas Farms in Moorhead on September 14.
- Headwaters Day in Breckenridge on September 14.
- Woodstack at the Prospect House & Civil War Museum in Battle Lake on September 14.
- Ashby Community FEASTival on September 15.
- Welcoming Week Family Fun Day at Barsness Park in Glenwood on September 15.
- Evansville Welcome Supper at the Evansville Senior Center on September 15.
- Welcoming Differences and Celebrating Similarities in Elbow Lake on September 16.
- Back-to-School Adult Education at the Pelican Rapids Library on September 16.
- The Gathering at The River at Spies Park in Fergus Falls on September 16.
- Welcoming Week Open House at the Douglas County Library in Alexandria on September 16.
- Book Club, “What We Hunger for: refugee and immigrant stories about family and food” edited by Sun Yung Shin at the Detroit Lakes Library on September 17.
- New York Mills Welcoming Week Street Fair on September 17.
- Back-to-School Adult Education at the Pelican Rapids Library on September 18.
- Immigrant Law Center Presentation at the Pelican Rapids Library on September 18.
- Immigration Trends in Minnesota Virtual Event on September 18.
- Alexandria Diversity Fest at the Alexandria Technical & Community College on September 19.
- Connecting Cultures Through Creativity at Kaddatz Gallery in Fergus Falls on September 19.
- Community Night Out at East Side Park in Morris on September 19.
- Celebrating African Cuisine at the Manna Food Co-op in Detroit Lakes on September 20.
- Culture on Tap at Fergus Brewing in Fergus Falls on September 20.
- All Are Welcome Here at the Fergus Falls Public Library on September 21.
- Flavors of our Roots-Community Picnic at Brophy Park in Alexandria on September 21.
- Tomato Recipe Contest in Battle Lake on September 22.
- Harvest Meal Community Potluck at the Creative Arts Center in Battle Lake on September 22.
- The Great Battle Lake Turnover from September 13-21.
- Prairie Lakes Plein Art Exhibition at the Creative Arts Center in Battle Lake from September 1-30.
- Education Scavenger Hunt in Battle Lake from September 19-22.
- Welcome Table at the Creative Arts Center in Battle Lake from September 19-22.
- Zentangle Community Project at the Creative Arts Center in Battle Lake from September 19-22.
2023 Welcoming Week Events include:
- Naima’s Farm Tour in Alexandria on September 7.
- Inclusivity Float in the Greater Moorhead Days Parade on September 8.
- Breckenridge Welcomes You during Headwater Days on September 9.
- Browns Valley Fire Department, Relief Association, and Ambulance Department Welcoming Day on September 9.
- Glacial Hills Elementary School Togetherness Initiative in Starbuck on September 9.
- We all Grow at Doubting Thomas Farm in Moorhead on September 10.
- Community Supper in Evansville on September 10.
- Two back-to-school information sessions about Lakes Area Adult Education in Pelican Rapids on September 11.
- Food tasting event at MANNA Food Co-op in Detroit Lakes on September 11.
- Falk Park Resource Fair in Wheaton on September 11.
- Immigration Law Center of Minnesota Presentation at the Douglas County Library in Alexandria on September 12.
- Grant County Schools Ice Cream Social at West Central Area Secondary School in Barrett on September 12.
- Neighborhood Storytime at the Douglas County Library in Alexandria on September 13.
- Exploring Glenwood on September 13.
- Two Lakes Area Adult Education Resource Fairs in Pelican Rapids on September 13.
- Welcome Wall in Turtle Park in Perham on September 13.
- Conexiones Latin Dance Lessons in Morris on September 13.
- Turning the Page on a New Beginning at the Fergus Falls Public Library on September 13.
- The Youths Food, Friendship, and Fostering Belonging in Pelican Rapids on September 13.
- Welcome to Elbow Lake on September 14.
- The Longest Table in Moorhead on September 14.
- Ashby Celebration of Culture on September 16.
- Cultural Diversity Resources’ Building Community Bonds Picnic in Moorhead on September 16.
- New York Mills Welcoming Communities Kickoff on September 20.
- Alexandria Diversity Fest at Alexandria Technical & Community College on September 21.
- Connecting Cultures Through Creativity at Kaddatz Galleries in Fergus Falls on September 22.
- Lakes & Prairie Community Action Partnership (CAPLP) Welcome Baskets for New Families throughout Welcoming Week.
- Pelican Rapids Multicultural Committee – We Are Pelican Rapids Video Project throughout Welcoming Week.
- Safe Families for Children – Resources and Support for New Community Members throughout Welcoming Week.
- Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Professionals – Gift Baskets for New Parents throughout Welcoming Week.
2022 Welcoming Week Events include:
- Vikings Library Kickoff on September 9.
- Main Street Mingle in Barnesville on September 10.
- VFW Pancake Breakfast in Barnesville on September 11.
- Cultural Diversity Resources Picnic in Moorhead on September 11.
- Shaggy Dog Movie & Snacks, Business and Organization Bingo & Where’s Evansie Ville Kickoff in Evansville on September 11.
- Adult Education Open House Presentations in Pelican Rapids on September 12.
- Meet & Greet at Naima’s Farm in Alexandria on September 12.
- Salad Bowl Event in Fergus Falls on September 12.
- Immigration Law Center of Minnesota Information Sessions in Spanish and English on in Pelican Rapids on September 14.
- Glenwood Food Tour in Glenwood on September 14.
- Diversity Festival in Alexandria on September 15.
- West Central Area Schools Ice Cream Social at Elbow Lake, Barrett, and Kensington Schools on September 15.
- Perham Welcoming Wall Event on September 15.
- Resilient Moorhead Picnic on September 18.
We want to hear from you! Tell us how we can make our communities more welcoming by taking our anonymous 5-minute Welcoming Communities Survey.
Live Wide Open
In an era where loneliness, disconnection, and distrust can feel overwhelming, Live Wide Open is on a mission to inspire a sense of belonging among all people in west central Minnesota by showcasing the fascinating and diverse people across our region.
Connect with Us
Community Engagement Officer
rick.schara@old.wcif.org
218-739-2239
Marketing & Communications Officer
ashley@old.wcif.org
218-739-2239
