Welcoming Week Celebrates Immigrants, Refugees and Undocumented Central Oregonians

For those who complain that Bend is too vanilla, the City of Bend’s Welcoming Week offers a window into its diverse communities.

Now in its ninth year, Welcoming Week showcases the many stripes of Central Oregonians, particularly those who are immigrants, refugees and undocumented residents.

Beginning Sept. 10 through Sept. 19, Welcoming Week’s theme is “Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect.” The goal is to foster connection and belonging for these communities, according to the City.

The City of Bend’s Welcoming Week Celebrates Central Oregon’s immigrant, refugee and undocumented residents. Credit: City of Bend

The series of events will pop up throughout Bend, including functions at the Latino Community Association’s center, the Deschutes Central Library and The Commons Café & Taproom.

Those who want to join Welcoming Week, but might worry about committing faux-pas, could begin with the “Welcoming Week Skill Lab: Intervene, Include, Commit,” hosted by LCA and presented by Embrace Bend on Sept. 8. It’s a skill-building laboratory on how to bone up on practical support roles, inclusive practices and leave with a clear participation plan, according to organizers.

On Sept. 10, LCA and other local Welcoming Week participating organizations will reveal a year-round Welcoming Program and a night market showcasing immigrant and refugee food vendors at the LCA center.

The following day, Shararah Films will host “Stories of Belonging: Arab, Muslim & South Asian,” a short-film screening and community conversation at the Deschutes Central Library.

Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities in Central Oregon will get some shine during “Pathways and Connection: Exploration of Business Council” on Sept. 12. Presented by APIC, a project launched by Embrace Bend in 2022 that focused on growing spaces for these communities, the first “Pathways” installment is a facilitated discussion geared toward entrepreneurs. A cultural games session will round out the program as a second installment.

“Advocacy through Art,” hosted by Almodorada on Sept. 16, will offer a screen-printing workshop that emphasizes making art that advocates our collective humanity.

Benditas will host “SAL Bend!,” a celebration of art, world music and cuisine, at The Commons Café & Taproom on Sept. 18. Benditas is a nonprofit that fosters community among Central Oregon’s myriad Spanish speakers.

“Stories We Share,” an intergenerational celebration of stories, music, cuisines and traditions, will cap off Welcoming Week at the Hanai Center on Sept. 19.

Welcoming Week is an annual campaign that was founded in 2012 by Welcoming America and its member network. Last year, more than 2,000 Welcoming Week events were held globally across eight countries and all U.S. states, including Washington, D.C., according to the nonprofit. 52 communities issuing welcoming proclamations.

The City of Bend became a partnering Welcoming City in 2017, as advocated by LCA. Becoming a member city means committing to equity and inclusion and working to create full belonging and civic participation, which precipitates prosperity, according to LCA.

Welcoming Week
Sept. 10-19
Various locations in Bend
Free
For full schedule, visit:
tinyurl.com/eeumxxuc