As the calendar flips to the middle of September, Bellevue and its neighboring Eastside cities are gearing up to quickly usher in Welcoming Week, an initiative that brings communities together in the name of inclusion. From Sept. 13-22, locals can participate in a variety of events aimed at welcoming newcomers to the United States and celebrating cultural diversity. Bellevue, along with Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond, and Sammamish, has been observing this tradition since 2016, with non-profits and civic groups leading the charge, according to a city announcement.
The week-long festivity is set to feature a slew of activities, including a resource fair set for Saturday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crossroads Bellevue shopping mall. Hosted by the Bellevue Diversity Advisory Network (BDAN), this event aims to provide workforce and business assistance resources. Meanwhile, Eastside for All is pairing up with the city’s Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls program for "Beyond Engagement: Leading Together in Communities" on Friday, Sept. 20, an effort to deepen knowledge on inclusive, cross-cultural community engagement, as highlighted on the Eastside Welcoming Week page.
Welcoming Week is more than just an annual event; it's a symbol of the country's ongoing commitment to creating inclusive environments where all residents can thrive. The mayors of participating cities are set to showcase this commitment through a joint proclamation that urges the community to engage across their differences, reinforcing Welcoming Week’s objective of fostering a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, especially the newest members of the American family.
The series of events is a product of the collective efforts of local governments and organizations, all of which recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in their communities. In addition to the scheduled events at community centers and public spaces, area residents are encouraged to actively partake in forging connections with their neighbors, aiming to strengthen the communal fabric that holds society together.
