Somerville Celebrating Welcoming Week

This September, the Somerville Office of Immigrant Advancement (SOIA) invites neighbors of all backgrounds to celebrate Welcoming Week. Opportunities include a community gathering, reading lists, videos sharing immigrant stories, and more.

This national (and global) campaign brings immigrant and non-immigrant neighbors together to build connections and a sense of belonging. This year ‘s theme, “Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect” fits right into Somerville ‘s Year of the Neighbor, a yearlong invitation to get to know the people around us and look out for one another.

Community members can take part in two ways:

• Find your next read with Somerville Public Library. Check out SPL ‘s curated book lists highlighting immigrant stories and experiences. The City ‘s librarians have created collections for children, teens, and adults.
• Come to the SOIA Community Get-Together. Keep the welcome going on Thursday, September 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 42 Cross St. Join SOIA for a casual, multilingual gathering with food, music, and resource-sharing. Meet neighbors, connect with City resources, and help wrap up Somerville ‘s Welcoming Week celebrations.
• Read the Mayor ‘s Welcoming Week proclamation: Learn about the inspiration for observing Welcoming Week in the Welcoming Week Proclamation by Mayor Jake Wilson presented at the City Council on Thursday, September 10.
• Coming soon! Voices of Somerville on the City multilingual social media and local access TV: This fall, community members are encouraged to check out short videos sharing immigrant stories from Somerville residents co-produced with Somerville Media Center (SMC). Keep an eye out for their premiere on City social media and on CityTV and SMC channels

However long you ‘ve called Somerville home, you ‘re invited. Bring your family, bring a neighbor, or come ready to meet one.

To view this update and more City news on the City website, visit somervillema.gov/news.

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 in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.

If you need assistance understanding this information, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311). The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.