About Welcoming Week
Welcoming Week is a national movement lead by the nonprofit Welcoming America and promotes building inclusive, safe and equitable communities for immigrants and refugees.
At its core, Welcoming Week encourages not just cities, towns, counties, and nations, but also the institutions within them, to fully embrace and celebrate what defines their communities as welcoming and inclusive. By doing so, we showcase how this sense of welcoming profoundly contributes to nurturing a sense of belonging for all individuals, with a particular focus on immigrants.
2023 Schedule of Events
Opening Ceremony
September 8 & 9, 2023
Friday 5–8 p.m., Saturday 4–7 p.m.
Ventura Park, 460 SE 113th Ave, Portland, OR 97216
The week kicks off with a two-day opening celebration at Ventura Park on September 8 & 9 (Friday 5 – 8 p.m., Saturday 4 - 7 p.m.). The event will feature family-friendly fun and games, beautiful music, dazzling dances, delicious food, and community building.
Family Fun-day in the Park
Sunday, September 10, 2023
4–7 p.m.
Ventura Park, 460 SE 113th Ave, Portland, OR 97216
Come with your kids and enjoy the bounce house and water slide , face painting, a balloon artist, and get a bag of popcorn and learn about some of the City services. All activities and popcorn are FREE!
Immigrant and Refugee Art Exhibit
Monday, September 11, 2023
5–8 p.m.
The Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Ave. Suite 108, Portland, OR 97204
An art collection inspired by refugee identity and resilience, presented by Lutheran Community Services Northwest and Civic life. The artists featured in this exhibition are all refugees who have resettled in the Pacific Northwest. This art gives visual representation to their stories, dreams, and experiences. Drinks and appetizers will be served. All are welcome to attend.
Info Session: Oregon Laws and Resources for Hate Crimes and Incidents
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
4–6 p.m.
The Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Ave., Suite 108, Portland, OR 97204
Join the Civil Rights Unit at the Oregon Department of Justice for an info session about the latest laws and resources to address hate and bias in Oregon.
The Immigrant Story
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
4–6 p.m.
City Hall Atrium, 1221 SW 4th Ave., Portland, OR 97205
Stories hold immense power, shining a light on the human experience and kindling empathy and understanding among us all. The Immigrant Story Live is proud to present a remarkable evening celebrating our welcoming and inclusive community. This special event will feature captivating narratives from immigrants and refugees. Join us in experiencing the journeys of these extraordinary individuals who have braved challenging paths from their homelands to forge new and fulfilling lives here in Portland. Their stories are both compelling and lived, a testament to resilience and the beauty of diversity.
Building Community Through the Arts
Thursday, September 14, 2023
4–6 p.m.
Pioneer Courthouse Square, 715 SW Morrison St., Suite 702, Portland, OR 97205
Enjoy mesmerizing performances by the Aztec dance group, Mitotiliztli Tezkatlipoka, and make meaningful connections with other community members.
Citizenship Day
Friday, September 15, 2023
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Portland Community College - Cascade Campus, 705 N Killingsworth St., Portland, OR 97217
SOAR Immigration Legal Services will be providing FREE legal services for people seeking citizenship in the U.S.
2022 Schedule of Events
Ukrainian Day
September 3, 2022
11am - 7pm
Westmoreland Park, 7530 SE 22nd Ave, Portland, OR 97202
While not within the official Welcoming Week dates, the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation's celebration for Ukrainian Day is definitely in the spirit of building a Portland "Where We Belong."
Opening Ceremony
September 9, 2022
6:00 - 8:00pm
Ventura Park, 460 SE 113th Ave, Portland, OR 97216
The week kicks off with an opening celebration at Ventura Park on Friday, Sept. 9, from 6 – 8 p.m. The event will feature music, dance performances, food, speakers, and informational booths.
Lakad for Bayanihan: family friendly 5K race
September 10, 2022
8am - 4pm
Lents Park, 4808 SE 92nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
Rosewood Saturday Celebration: Makers Market and Resource Fair
September 10, 2022
Noon - 4pm
14127 SE Stark St.
Black Identity Through the Immigrant Lens: Panel Discussion
September 12, 2022
6:30pm
Virtual via Zoom
Watch the full recording of the panel here! (password: 1NQ.hRSR)
Gelatinas Art Workshop
September 13, 2022
6 - 8pm
Hacienda Rockwood Center - Mosaico Room, 6700 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97218
For more information, email Yoana Molina at Yoana@guerreraslatinas.org.
Afghan Virtual Concert, Poetry Reading and Discussion: 1 year after U.S. troop Withdrawl
September 13, 2022
6 - 8pm
Virtual via Zoom
Uprooted: An Art Exhibition Inspired by Refugee Identity and Resilience
September 14, 2022
Regional Arts and Culture Building, 411 NW Park Ave #101, Portland, OR 97209
Find more information on the RACC blog.
Undoing the Harm - Immigrant Risks and Opportunities in the Legal Cannabis Industry
September 14, 2022
4:30 - 6pm
Virtual via Zoom
Orishas History and Dance Performance
September 16, 2022
6 - 8pm
Favela Brazilian Café, 5300 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR 97206
Citizenship Day
September 16, 2022
Portland Community College Cascade Campus, 705 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97217
Festival of Nations
September 17, 2022
11am - 4pm
14601 SE Division St.
Facilitated Workshop: Silah & Mahara - Camps to Shore Up Refugees
September 17, 2022
3 - 5pm
Embassy Suites, 9000 SW Washington Square Rd
Multicultural Children's Festival
September 18, 2022
11am - 7pm
Ventura Park, 460 SE 113th Ave, Portland, OR 97216
My People's Market/Business Story Reveal
September 17 & 18, 2022
11am - 5pm
Bridge Lot at OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
You can view the completed project here!
2021 Schedule of Events
Opening Ceremony
Event: This in-person event will include performances, speeches by community members and City Council Members, immigrant-owned business vendors, our Immigrant Story exhibit and more.
Event Partners: Multnomah County, Prosper Portland, and special guest City of Beaverton
Samba, Semba, and Kizomba Dance and Music Event
Event Description: This in-person event will provide a brief history lesson about the influence African music has had on Brazilian music. Dance class and social will follow the presentation.
Event Partners: Favela and Eddison Monteiro aka Eddy Vents
Slavic Festival
Event Description: This in-person, all-day festival will highlight the diversity of Slavic and central Asian cultures. Come enjoy food, performances, and more!
Event Partners: Slavic Family Media Center and Slavic Community Center of NW
Engaging Immigrant and Refugee Communities Through a Trauma Informed Approach
Event Description: This virtual event will explore how to engage with immigrant and refugee communities through a trauma informed approach. This event is primarily intended for those working directly with immigrant and refugee populations.
Event Partner: Lutheran Community Services and Trauma Informed Oregon
Business Resources for Immigrant Owned Businesses
Event Description: This virtual presentation will provide information about resources and programs for immigrants to start and develop businesses.
Event Partners: Prosper Portland and IRCO
Immigrant and Refugee Awareness Walk
Event Description: This in-person community walk will demonstrate solidarity for Portland’s immigrant and refugee communities.
Event Partner: Oregon Walks
Coffee Around the World
Event Description: Despite Portland being famous for coffee culture, you may be surprised to know that all coffee is grown outside the United States and imported. Please join us as we focus on immigrant owned coffee business owners and explore the history of coffee around the world.
Event Partner: Hacienda
Exploring Arabic Identity through Music and Poetry
Event Description: This virtual event will explore Arabic identity, commonalities and cultural distinctions through a panel discussion and performances. The focus will be on history, language and culture.
Event Partners: New Portlanders Policy Commission, Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon, and Multnomah County