YMCA of Greater Seattle Celebrates Welcoming Week and Reminds Greater Seattle Community That Belonging Begins With Us

Celebrations to take place throughout King County from September 8-17.

Seattle, Wash., September 1, 2023 —This Welcoming Week (September 8-17), YMCA of Greater Seattle will join Welcoming America, other YMCAs, and organizations nationwide to celebrate immigrants’ contributions to communities and unite all residents in a spirit of unity. Each year, Welcoming Week elevates the growing movement of communities that fully embrace new Americans and their contributions to the social fabric of the country. The event is an opportunity for neighbors—both immigrants and U.S.-born residents—to get to know one another and celebrate what unites people as a community.

“At the YMCA of Greater Seattle, we believe our community is stronger when everyone in the community feels welcome, and we can all work together for the common good,” said Meesh Talbott, Director of Volunteerism and Community Engagement. “We are proud to be a part of Welcoming Week, which is demonstrating that in places large and small, rural and urban, people of all backgrounds are coming together to create stronger communities. It is a time to celebrate the shared values that unite us as neighbors, parents, and colleagues and to make our towns more welcoming to newcomers and to everyone who calls our community home.”

During Welcoming Week, all YMCA of Greater Seattle locations will host events, classes, and activities throughout the celebration. Experience engaging events and activities, including multilingual hikes, story times, open mics, and celebration nights, as well as food, clothing, and school supply drives. Find a Welcoming Week activity at one of our local Y locations throughout the week – where even a small interaction can have a powerful impact. 

Learn more about Welcoming Week >> 

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About the Y MCA of Greater Seattle

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Y provides crucial programs and services to more than 120,299 people every year in the Greater Seattle area. With the help of generous donors, we are able to provide more than 450 youth experiencing homelessness with safe, stable housing every night, over 400,000 meals served across King County annually, and more than $11 million in financial assistance to ensure everyone has a chance to succeed and belong at the Y. 

About Welcoming Week

Welcoming Week is an annual campaign and celebration to showcase the movement of communities striving to be more welcoming places for all, including immigrants. Launched in 2012 by Welcoming America and its members, Welcoming Week provides individuals and

communities the opportunity to proclaim welcoming values through events and local initiatives that foster mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants, as well as deeper belonging for all.

About Welcoming America

Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. Through the Welcoming Network, we work to change systems and culture by providing communities with the roadmap they need to create welcoming policies and share new approaches to inclusion to create an environment where everyone can truly thrive. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org.