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by Jodi Jewell
Chippewa Valley Office Lead
There is power in welcome. Power to create a safe space to call home. Power to find belonging and community. At World Relief Wisconsin, we celebrate the power of welcome. And we are excited to join the Chippewa Valley community for Welcoming Week Sept. 10-19.
An annual campaign, Welcoming Week celebrates the work in communities to become welcoming places for all, including immigrants. This year’s theme is “Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect.”
In Eau Claire, more than 12 nonprofit organizations, businesses and local governments are coming together to show our commitment to building a strong, connected and welcoming city for all of our neighbors.
“A welcoming community is an integral part of residents finding belonging, flourishing and making a place a home. But becoming that kind of community doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentionality and a willingness to work towards the common good of everyone,” said Jodi Jewell, Chippewa Valley office lead. “I’m incredibly grateful to all of the organizations that have partnered together to show their commitment to making the Chippewa Valley a welcoming place.”
A host of events will take place, each with a different perspective on what it means to be a welcoming community. From proclamations to festivals, from live storytelling to film and theatre, there’s something for everyone.
To celebrate this week, World Relief Wisconsin will host an Advocacy Day Open House on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire.
We invite everyone to join us in using their voice to engage in advocacy. Learn about issues affecting immigrants, write or call your elected representatives and pray for your community — local, state and national — at this nonpartisan event. Come for an hour or even just 10 minutes to show your support for immigrants in our community.
Welcome Week Schedule
- City of Eau Claire Proclamation on Tuesday, Sept. 8
- Advocacy Day Open House, hosted by World Relief Wisconsin, on Thursday, Sept. 10
- Special showing of “Half Century Home” documentary, hosted by Power-Up Eau Claire, on Saturday, Sept. 12
- Chippewa Valley Multicultural Festival on Sunday, Sept. 13
- National Voter Registration Day, hosted by JONAH, on Tuesday, Sept.15
- A reading and story gallery of the new volume of Voices in the Valley, hosted by Chippewa Valley Technical College, on Wednesday, September 16
- Performances of Tony-award winning musical “Come From Away,” hosted by Eau Claire Children’s Theatre, Sept. 17-20 and 25-27
- A special Anishinabee Storytelling with Michael “Laughing Fox” Charette, hosted by the Chippewa Valley Museum, on Saturday, Sept. 19
You can see the full line-up of events with locations and times at https://www.powerupec.org/ecwelcomingweek. Events are subject to change and will be kept up-to-date on the website.
Learn more about Welcoming Week as a global initiative at welcomingweek.org.