San Mateo County Marks Welcoming Week with Events Bringing Neighbors Together

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today proclaimed the week of Sept. 10-19 as Welcoming Week, part of a national effort to strengthen communities by building connections.

This year's national Welcoming Week theme, "Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect," focuses on how sharing experiences can help people from different backgrounds build strong connections and affirm the importance of inclusive places.

Locally, the week is being celebrated with events from the coast to the bay, including resource fairs, movies in the park, storytime library readings, gardening workshops, cultural celebrations and more.

"Welcoming Week is an opportunity to slow down, connect with our neighbors, and celebrate the people who make our communities such special places to call home," said Board President Noelia Corzo. "Our neighbors come from all over the world, bringing different cultures, languages, and experiences, but what connects us is that we all call San Mateo County home."

More than 100 languages are spoken in San Mateo County, from Arabic and Armenian to Ukrainian and Vietnamese. With such diversity and a commitment to celebrate it, San Mateo County earned the distinction of becoming the first county in the nation to earn Four-Star Certified Welcoming status by Welcoming America.

"San Mateo County is shaped and strengthened by people from all over the world," said Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, who co-sponsored the proclamation with President Corzo. "Whether your family has been here for generations or you recently arrived, you are part of the fabric and the future of San Mateo County."

Throughout Welcoming Week, the County's Office of Community Affairs is joining cities, libraries, nonprofit organizations and other community groups in sharing information about events across San Mateo County.

Upcoming events include toddler/preschool storytimes at the Redwood City Library and food distributions in Daly City and San Mateo on Sept. 16; and a CARON (Community Alliance to Revitalize our Neighborhoods) Resource Fair in Redwood City and pop-up dining and dancing in San Mateo on Sept. 17.

The celebrations continue with a food distribution in South San Francisco and a showing of The Wizard of Oz at San Bruno City Park on Sept. 18 and, on Sept. 19, a celebration of Asian American Youth at the College of San Mateo and the Summer's End Music Festival in Half Moon Bay.

For a complete schedule of Welcoming Week events in San Mateo County, visit the County's Welcoming Week 2026 webpage.

About San Mateo County
Established in 1856, the County of San Mateo stretches from the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay and includes 20 cities and rural communities. Home to more than 750,000 residents, it is one of California's most diverse counties with an economy driven by innovation, life sciences, agriculture and international trade and travel. In addition to serving unincorporated communities, the County provides countywide services that support the health, safety and quality of life of residents. Learn more at smcgov.org.

Effie Milionis Verducci
Director, Strategic Communications and Community Partnerships
County Executive's Office
650-407-4915
[email protected]