Twelve communities across southwest Minnesota are wrapping up final details for their Welcoming Week celebrations. The Swift County Area will kick things off with a party in the park on September 8, with the rest of the celebrations in the region happening through early October. In addition to the Swift County Area, participating communities include Glencoe, Hutchinson, Litchfield, Marshall, Montevideo, Olivia, Willmar, Worthington, Round Lake-Brewster, Windom and Fulda.
Welcoming Week is an annual celebration that brings together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity. Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) Community Engagement Specialist Than Than Kyaw leads welcoming work at the foundation and has been meeting with community coordinators over the past year. Than Than is an immigrant himself, moving to Minnesota from a refugee camp in Thailand at age 11.
Than Than helps guide communities through five steps to help with Welcoming Week celebrations: listening to build understanding and connection, identifying and engaging partners, establishing clear goals for the event, planning the event to engage diverse community members, and staying connecting and collaborating after the celebration ends.
Than Than encourages local planning committees to consider the seven framework areas that define welcoming places: civic engagement, connected communities, economic development, education, equitable access, government and community leadership and safe communities.
“This year’s theme is ‘We’re All In.’ I grew up in southwest Minnesota for over 14 years and I am continuously impressed by the progress we have made together and the trust we have for one another. We are all in for strengthening our communities, building resiliency, resisting fear and division, and harnessing the talents, skills and contributions of every resident – including newcomers and immigrants,” Than Than said.
Each community hosts different types and sizes of celebrations. Some examples include gatherings at the local park with live music and food trucks, story time at the library, learning labs, flag ceremonies, roasting marshmallows and making a craft, performances from local artists and a community resource fair. Regardless of the size or type of celebration, attendees can expect to feel a sense of community and to build connections with neighbors.
“It brings me a lot of joy to build understanding and connections with others who are passionate about creating a vibrant and welcoming community where everyone can live, have a sense of belonging, feel included and contribute fully, and thrive. Our community partners and volunteers who are planning these local celebrations are so dedicated to their community development and engagement, and I know that these wonderful events are making a profound impact that really reflect the people who live there and call this region home,” Than Than said.
Welcoming Week celebrations are free and open to the public. You’re encouraged to invite your family, friends, neighbors, and people you work with. To find details on the celebrations happening across southwest Minnesota, visit the events calendar at swifoundation.org/events.
“We must cultivate a sense of belonging within ourselves and build understanding and connections with others. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with community members and organizations on this year’s Welcoming Week celebrations. I am super excited to join others and celebrate our community values and know that belonging truly begins with us,” Than Than said.
Special thanks to Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, our regional partner in celebrating Welcoming Week, as well as the national organization leading the work, Welcoming America.
Southwest Initiative Foundation provides funding and support for Welcoming Week celebrations in communities across our region as part of our membership in Welcoming America.
