Somerville Welcoming Week

Welcoming Week is an annual campaign that celebrates the work in communities to become welcoming places for all, including immigrants. Launched in 2012 by Welcoming America and its members, Welcoming Week provides individuals and organizations the opportunity to showcase their values through events and initiatives that foster connections and collaboration between immigrants and non-immigrants, as well as belonging for all.

For more information about the nation-wide event, visit the official Welcoming Week site. Read on below for more about what's happening here in Somerville! 

This year’s Welcoming Week highlights include: 

P’alante Art Exhibition at the Somerville Public Library 

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The Somerville Public Library is hosting P'alante: Stories Moving Somerville Forward. Learn more about this exhibition on the SPL page, and find details below about this important event. 

• 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. 

Download the flyer here for more information! 

Somerville Citizenship Day  

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• 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. '

Download the flyer here for more details!  And don't forget, September it Citizenship Month, where we recognize the importance of citizenship and the many paths it takes to get there. Download this flyer for more information! 

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 "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.

• City staff from across departments came together to share a welcoming message for Somerville residents, highlighting our commitment to inclusivity and community.

• “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. 

Children's books 

Find a list of Welcoming Week themed books at Somerville Public Library here. 

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Teen books 

Find a list of Welcoming Week themed books at Somerville Public Library here. 

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Adult books

Find a list of Welcoming Week themed books at Somerville Public Library here. 

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Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs Chocomingle 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. 

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Film Screening: P'alante

Our collective immigrant history is based in resilience. This project and exhibition is about the universal strength in each of us.

Join us for a final screening of the 20-minute film created for this project in collaboration with the Somerville Media Center.

Film screening and community conversation:  Thursday, September 25th
Screenings at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Central Library Auditorium, 79 Highland Ave., Somerville. 

Exhibition Video Transcripts and Guide

• English Transcript and Guide
• Spanish Transcript and Guide
• Portuguese Transcript and Guide
• Haitian Kreyol Transcript and Guide
• Nepali Transcript and Guide
• Simplified Chinese Transcript and Guide
• Traditional Chinese Transcript and Guide
• Arabic Transcript

Welcome to Somerville! We’re excited to have you become a part of our vibrant community. Visit our New Resident's Guide page to find some links and resources to help you get moved into the city, such as information on parking, trash and recycling, setting up your utilities, and more.

The Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA) is available to help you with any questions you might have. 

To contact our office, you can:

• Submit a referral through Somerville Hub
• Email us at soia@somervillema.gov
• Visit us at 42 Cross St., Somerville, MA

Or call us:

Spanish

• (617) 625-6600 extensions 2122; 2624

Portuguese

• (617) 625-6600 extensions 2123; 2627

Haitian Creole

• (617) 625-6600 extensions 2622; 2625

Nepali

• (617) 625-6600 extension 2610

Chinese

• (617) 625-6600 extension 2626

For all other languages

• (617) 625-6600 extension 2608 

SOIA has created a series of videos and educational materials to help you Know Your Rights. You can find these materials in the language of your choice on the SOIA homepage or by clicking the links below. 

You can also watch the Know Your Rights Training Video in English by clicking here. The training packet can be found in English by clicking here.

Having a library card can be an important step in being part of your community. You can learn how to get your own library card by visiting the Somerville Public Library page. Some important details to know: 

• It's free!
• It's available to any Massachusetts resident 5 years and older. (See below for details!)
• It's needed for all transactions, in person, online, or by phone.
• It can be used at all Somerville Library locations, as well as throughout the Minuteman Library Network. Its information should be kept up to date.
• Promptly inform the library of any changes in address, email address, or phone number.
• It's a VALUABLE POSSESSION - please treat it as you would a credit card. Report it immediately if lost!