Belonging Begins With Us, Johnson County

Whether it’s starting a new job, changing schools or neighborhoods, we’ve all had moments where we felt like we didn’t belong. For people who moved to this country, this experience can last more than a moment. From language barriers to cultural differences, feeling excluded can take years to overcome. Yet, because we all know how it feels to be excluded, we also know how to make others feel they belong. When that happens, communities can fully harness the strengths, talents, and contributions of each person to build shared prosperity.

 

This Welcoming Week, let’s declare that #BelongingBeginsWithUS – that each and every one of us has the power to help others, regardless of their background, to feel like they are seen, embraced, welcomed, and included in our communities.

 

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.

Welcoming Week 2024

2024 Events

Friday, September 13

 

Rock the Block! Block Party

Time: 2:00–5:00pm

Location: IC Compassion (1035 Wade St. Iowa City, IA, 52240)

About:

• The festival kicks off with a lively block party in the Towncrest area featuring food, entertainment and community engagement. We aim to create a welcoming atmosphere for both long-time residents and newcomers.

 

Educational Program

Time: 5:30–7:30pm

Location: IC Compassion (1035 Wade St. Iowa City, IA, 52240)

About:

• As part of the block party, we will host a special session focused on welcoming new neighbors to foster understanding and connections among diverse community members.

 

 

Sunday, September 15

 

Intercultural Interfaith Community Service

Time: 11:00am–12:30pm

Location: Iowa City Church of the Nazarene (1035 Wade St, Iowa City, IA 52240)

About:

• Join us at the Iowa City Church of the Nazarene for a celebration of unity and diversity. This interfaith service will emphasize our shared values and commitment to welcoming all. Hosted by IC Compassion / Church of the Nazarene.

 

A Day of Climate and Community

Time: 12:00–4:00pm

Location: RSFIC (1927 Keokuk Street, Iowa City, IA 52240)

About:

• A vibrant, inclusive, and educational one-day event aimed at fostering community bonds and raising awareness about climate change and recent immigration laws. The event will feature fun activities, delicious food, lively music, and educational workshops. It will be an opportunity to celebrate immigrant culture and impediments, educate the community on important cultural and environmental issues, and promote sustainable living practices. Hosted by the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County with the Center for Worker Justice and RSFIC. 

 

Welcome Festival Intercultural Celebration

Time: 1:00–4:00pm

Location: Mercer Park (1317 Dover St, Iowa City, IA 52240)

About:

• Following our interfaith service, we invite everyone to Mercer Park for a multicultural celebration that includes a free meal, music, children’s activities and cultural displays that highlight the richness of our community. All are WELCOME to join us! Hosted by IC Compassion. 

 

Film Screening: The Monk and the Gun

Time: 3:30–5:00pm

Location: FilmScene at the Chauncey (404 E. College St. Suite 100
Iowa City, IA 52240)

About:

• Hosted by the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council and co-hosted with the FilmScene. Come join us for a special screening of The Monk and the Gun, one of ICFRC’s fall 2024 democracy series programs. After brief opening remarks, we will watch this critically acclaimed 2023 film. Attendees will receive a free popcorn upon entry. Reserve your seat here:Film Description: Set in 2006, the Kingdom of Bhutan is looking to become a democracy, so looking to hold an election, government officials organize a mock election as a training exercise. In the town of Ura, an old lama orders a monk to get a pair of weapons to face the imminent change in the kingdom. Meanwhile, an American antique weapons collector lands in Bhutan in search of a valuable rifle that falls into the monk’s hands.

 

 

Wednesday, September 18

 

Writing, Democracy, and Gl0bal Threats to Both

Time: 12:00–1:00pm 

Location: Iowa City Public Library, Room D (123 South Linn Street, Iowa City, IA 52240)

About:

• Join International Writing Program (IWP) director Christopher Merrill and 2024 Fall Residents Lyuba Yakimchuk (Ukraine) and Tabish Khair (India/Denmark), three writers with unique voices and experiences, offering fresh insights into how democracy shapes and is shaped by culture, identity, and the written word. In this engaging conversation, the panel will discuss how poets, playwrights, screenwriters, performance artists, academics, and others view democracy, as well as how they persist during the most difficult of times. The trio will share why creative expression is vital for democracy in their home countries as well as the risks to artists’ lives and the societies in which they live when authoritarian leaders seek to limit democratic freedoms. Yakimchuk and Khair will read from their original work. See details at https://www.icfrc.org/events-calendar.html. 

 

 

Thursday, September 19

 

Empowerment Symposium: Inspiring Black & Brown Professionals to Lead Day 1

Time: 8:00am–7:30pm 

Location: Graduate Iowa City Hotel (210 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240)

About:

• The Empowerment Symposium aims to inspire and uplift Black and Brown professionals, empowering them to lead in their respective fields. The symposium promises two days filled with enriching discussions on crucial topics such as Education, Leadership, Marketing & Branding, Banking/Financial Wealth, Workforce, and Economic Development. Attendees can look forward to hearing from distinguished speakers including Randy Moore, President of American Water of Davenport, and Carla Anderson, Chair of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission. This event is brought to you by Black Professionals of Iowa and MOGUL Consulting. This is day one of a two-day long event. 

Purchasing Tickets:

• This event requires purchased tickets. To secure your spot, please register at empowersym.com. Make sure to check out the lineup of guest speakers to get a sneak peek at the enriching discussions that await.

 

 

Friday, September 20

 

Empowerment Symposium: Inspiring Black & Brown Professionals to Lead Day 2

Time: 8:30am–3:00pm 

Location: Graduate Iowa City Hotel (210 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240)

About:

• The Empowerment Symposium aims to inspire and uplift Black and Brown professionals, empowering them to lead in their respective fields. The symposium promises two days filled with enriching discussions on crucial topics such as Education, Leadership, Marketing & Branding, Banking/Financial Wealth, Workforce, and Economic Development. Attendees can look forward to hearing from distinguished speakers including Randy Moore, President of American Water of Davenport, and Carla Anderson, Chair of the Dubuque Human Rights Commission. This event is brought to you by Black Professionals of Iowa and MOGUL Consulting. This is day two of a two-day long event. 

Purchasing Tickets:

• This event requires purchased tickets. To secure your spot, please register at empowersym.com. Make sure to check out the lineup of guest speakers to get a sneak peek at the enriching discussions that await.

 

 

Saturday, September 21

 

Family Health & Wellness Fair

Time: 1:00–5:00pm

Location: Samuel and Emma A. Ranshaw House (515 Community Dr, North Liberty, IA 52317)

About:

• Join the City of North Liberty and community partners for a fun-filled afternoon with resources and activities for kids and adults. Receive free health screenings, health and wellness education, and community health referrals, and visit our pop-up community baby shower booth for maternal and infant health resources, giveaways for new and expecting parents, and cake! Plus, enjoy free samples (and food available for purchase) from local vendors serving international cuisine, kids’ inflatables, yard games, and more. This event is free and open to all ages!

 

Global Iowa City Gala

Time: 5:00–8:00pm

Location: Unitarian Universalist Society (2355 Oakdale Rd, Coralville, IA 52241)

About:

• The Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County is celebrating one year of achievement! This September, join us to celebrate the anniversary of our Welcome House and enjoy great programs, folkloric dancing, and delicious food cooked by immigrants! Experience a night of different cultures, ranging from Latinx, African, and Middle Eastern traditions. We will also host a silent auction full of amazing items from local Iowa City businesses. Join us at this fundraising event to help us continue our work in Johnson County and welcome new immigrants and refugees from all around the world.

Purchasing Tickets:

• This event requires purchased tickets. To purchase tickets follow this URL: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/c9d77aae-cbb6-4fab-b599-ccfbcb29e3df. If you are unable to attend the gala, you can always purchase tickets to donate to those who cannot afford to go!

Welcome, Johnson County! Banner Project