Mayor Ballantyne Announcing Welcoming Week 2025 in Somerville

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA) are announcing Somerville’s Welcoming Week 2025, a celebration of inclusion and belonging that will run from September 12 through 22. The week will include a series of events and activities designed to uplift immigrant voices, showcase community solidarity, and connect residents across cultures. 

 “As an immigrant who became a U.S. citizen in the eighth grade, I’ll never forget the teachers and neighbors who made me feel like I belonged. That sense of welcome changed my life,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “Welcoming Week is a powerful reminder that building an inclusive city takes action, commitment, and joy. Our immigrant neighbors make Somerville stronger in every way, and I’m proud to lead a city that stands with them and celebrates them.” 

This year’s Welcoming Week highlights include: 

• P’alante Art Exhibition at the Somerville Public Library 

• Date/Location: Photographs are on display from August 1st-September 30th at the East, West, and Central Branches of the Somerville Public Library:  

  • Central Branch: 79 Highland Ave. 

  • East Branch: 115 Broadway. 

  • West Branch: 40 College Ave. 

• Time: Check the following link for branch opening hours: somervillepubliclibrary.org/library/hours-locations  

• About: P’alante: Stories Moving Somerville Forward is an art exhibition by local photographer Mario Quiroz. Quiroz describes the project as “a celebration of the many wonderful things that make up our immigrant communities in Somerville. Our personal, family, and collective history is based on resilience.”  

• To learn more, access exhibition guides in eight languages, and view a short film created for this project, visit: somervillepubliclibrary.org/adults/palante-stories-moving-somerville-forward  

• During the month of September, the Somerville Public Schools (SPS) will offer tours for families, students and educators to enjoy the P'alante art exhibit. 
   

• Somerville Citizenship Day  

  • Date/Time: August 23 

  • About: In the lead-up to Welcoming Week, Project Citizenship in partnership with the City of Somerville is hosting a Citizenship Day to provide free legal help for Green Card holders who are ready to apply for U.S. citizenship.  
     

• "I Am Welcoming” Messages 

  • Teacher Welcome Messages: SPS teachers are sharing messages of encouragement and belonging with students in many different languages. These messages will be shared on city and school social media channels. The messages reflect the diversity of our community and show students that no matter what language they speak, they are seen, supported, and celebrated at SPS. 

  • “What does ‘Welcome’ Mean to You?”: Staff from the Office of Immigrant Affairs are sharing stories to showcase our voices and celebrate the spirit of inclusion that defines our city. 
     

• Somerville Public Library Booklist and Display 

  • Check out the Welcoming Week booklist and display at the Central Branch of the Somerville Public Library. The list and display will feature immigrant stories, inclusive narratives, and children’s books about welcoming communities. 
     

• Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs Community Get-Together  

  • Date/Time: September 25, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. 

  • Location: Edward L. Leathers Community Park, 104 Walnut St. 

  • About: Welcoming Week 2025 will close with a community celebration; with food, music, and resource-sharing to help neighbors connect and thrive. 

“The City of Somerville has a long history of welcoming. Our community and its rich diversity guide our commitment to ensure Somerville remains a place where all belong,” said Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs Director Maria Teresa Nagel. “We are proud to join localities across the country in celebrating Welcoming Week 2025 and reminding our new and longtime Somervillians alike that Somerville stands up for Welcoming!” 

About Welcoming Week 

Welcoming Week is an annual campaign led by Welcoming America that celebrates the growing movement of inclusive communities. Launched in 2012, it provides a platform for local events that build mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants and deepen a sense of belonging for all. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org. 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs,
activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of this event.