Community celebrates Welcoming Week 2023 – Sept. 13-22

Welcoming Week celebrations are back in Johnson County with a series of family-friendly, community-building events. From Sept. 12-21, 2025, groups across Johnson County will host gatherings to make communities welcoming places for all, including immigrants.

Launched in 2012 by Welcoming America and its members, Welcoming Week offers individuals and organizations the opportunity to showcase their values through events and initiatives. These activities foster connections and collaboration between immigrants and non-immigrants, while promoting a sense of belonging for all.

This year, Welcoming Week calls us to celebrate differences and spot what we have in common through its theme: "Stories We Share." By sharing our stories with each other, we can build understanding and then shape what's next for us all together.

Welcoming Week events include:

• Rock the Block! Block Party - Sept. 12
• Church Rummage Sale & Community-wide garage sale - Sept 13
• Welcome Festival Intercultural Celebration - Sept. 14
• What is Welcoming Week? Greater IC Lunch Connection Event - Sept. 17
• Mementos From Home - Stories and Food Trucks in North Liberty - Sept. 18
• Free Global Community Meal in Coralville with the Library and Coralville Pantry - Sept. 19
• Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County Gala - Sept. 20

Proclamations supporting Welcoming Week have been requested from Johnson County municipalities, including:

• Lone Tree at their 6 p.m. meeting Sept. 9
• North Liberty at their 6 p.m. meeting Sept. 9
• Coralville at their 6:30 p.m. meeting Sept. 9
• Iowa City at their 6 p.m. meeting Sept. 16
• Johnson County at their 9 a.m. meeting Sept. 18

All are welcome to attend the above city/county meetings to show their support of Welcoming Week.

Show your support by hosting a Welcoming Week yard sign

Yard signs to celebrate Welcoming Week all year long will be available in limited quantities at Iowa City City Hall, 410 E. Washington St.

For detailed information and registration details for each event, visit the Welcoming Week website, where you can also learn more about the national Welcoming Week initiative.