HUTCHINSON, Minn. – Nine communities in southwest Minnesota are helping build belonging in September with local activities for Welcoming Week. Welcoming Week is celebrated nationally September 10 – 19, 2021, highlighting the values that unite us as neighbors, families and colleagues.
Under this year’s theme, “Belonging Begins With Us,” the following communities in the region are hosting events:
- Glencoe, Sept. 11
- Granite Falls, Sept. 18
- Hutchinson, Sept. 12
- Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Sept. 12
- Marshall, Sept. 18
- Montevideo, Sept. 11
- Willmar, Sept. 11
- Windom, Sept. 18, 21
- Worthington, Sept. 14-19
For details on local events, visit swifoundation.org/2021welcomingweek.
These community-led Welcoming Week celebrations are promoted and supported in part by Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF). SWIF is an independent community foundation with a vision of a southwest Minnesota where everyone thrives. The foundation is a member of the Welcoming America network leading the national Welcoming Week campaign.
“By acknowledging belonging begins with us, we call for our neighborhoods, communities and workplaces in our region to be welcoming places where everyone belongs,” said Pablo Obregón, who serves as community engagement officer at SWIF and has helped guide local planning efforts led by community members.
Pioneer PBS and Southwest Minnesota Arts Council are also promoting Welcoming Week in southwest Minnesota.
Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported public television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. Welcoming Week is an opportunity to connect people to rural stories and shared values, which is part of their mission.
The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council encourages growth and development of the arts in southwest Minnesota with funds and technical services that enable local organizations, educational institutions and individuals to sponsor, create and promote the arts in their communities.
About Welcoming Week
Since 2012, Welcoming Week has served as the annual campaign and celebration led by Welcoming America to showcase the growing movement of communities striving to be more welcoming places for all, including immigrants. By fostering mutual respect and cooperation between new and long-time residents, Welcoming Week brings together people across lines of difference toward greater prosperity for all.
