National Welcoming Week 2013

The week of September 15-22, St. Louis will kick off Welcoming America's National Welcoming Week, a nationwide event to highlight the contributions of immigrants to American communities.

Throughout the country, these events aim to build meaningful connections and a spirit of unity between immigrants and U.S.-born Americans.

"Immigrants bring work skills, add to our neighborhoods, pay taxes and buy goods in our region. And, we need new residents to add to our own multicultural perspectives, so our regional enterprises can compete effectively in the widening global market,"said St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. "This week serves to celebrate our diversity and opportunity to grow."

"One way all St. Louisians can contribute is to become a Mosaic Ambassador for the St. Louis Mosaic Project. Mosaic ambassadors experience enjoyable ways to become a part of the overall St. Louis Mosaic Project regional goal: Regional Prosperity through Immigration and Innovation," said Mosaic Project Director Betsy Cohen. "The St. Louis Mosaic Project goal is that by 2020 we have the most growth of immigrants of any major metro area."

"The Mosaic Project says a lot about where our region is going. We want to be more diverse and see things from different points of view," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley. "I'm thrilled with the immediate and enthusiastic response from the St. Louis community.  We had hundreds of residents sign up to be Mosaic ambassadors within just a few weeks."

An estimated 5,500 people are expected to participate in more than 77 events across the country during National Welcoming Week this year.

In an effort to create stronger communities through local events focused on community beautification, healthy communities, and connected neighborhoods, the St. Louis Mosaic Project and its partners have created the following events and activities:

Monday, September 16 Metro bus signage rollout

"Welcoming Immigrants" will be plastered in Metro buses in 17 languages.

Tuesday, September 17 Bagels and Coffee: Immigration 101

7:30a.m. – 9 a.m.
International Institute
Discussion with Institute President Anna Crosslin and two local immigrants.

Tuesday, September 17 Citizen U

5:30 p.m. – 7p.m.
Gephardt Institute
Washington University, West Campus, Conf. Rm A/B
Roundtable discussion on immigration issues and impacts over dinner.

Friday, September 20 Naturalization Ceremony

Eagleton Federal Courthouse
28^th Floor, En Banc Courtroom
60 new Americans will be naturalized. Bring a small bouquet of flowers if you'd like to welcome a new citizen. Interviews with new Americans available before or after ceremony.

In addition, several schools in the St. Louis area have immigration welcoming activities. For a complete list of St. Louis area activities, click here.

Related Resources

• Update: A Place to Grow