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 2025: September 12 – 21

2025 Events

Friday, September 12

 

Eastside “Rock the Block” Party

Time: 5:00–9:00 PM

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

About:

• Welcome Weekend kicks off with a lively block party in the Towncrest area. From 5-7 PM, local organizations and businesses that support or provide services to immigrants, minorities, and the underserved in Johnson County will share information and resources at tables located throughout the neighborhood. From 7-9 PM, there will be live music. Messages of hope, welcoming, and personal stories of inspiring and often harrowing journeys to Iowa, and their lives since, are shared. Learn more.  

 

Voice of Resilience 

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Tuesday Agency (404 E College St Suite 408, Iowa City, IA 52240)

About:

• The Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County (IWNJC) invites you to a free community meal and migration story from a Guatemalan neighbor. Voice of Resilience is IWNJC’s signature storytelling event, where immigrants and refugees courageously share their journeys to their peers, immigrant or not. Their struggles, triumphs, and dreams are told through their own personal narratives, spoken word, music, and art. This event is sponsored by an Iowa City Human Rights Commission grant. Learn more. 

 

An Evening with Dave Moore: Fundraiser for ELLI Microlending

Time: 7:00–9:00 PM

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

About:

• Join us for a celebration of our new micro lending project – Equitable Local (micro)Lending Initiative (ELLI) – which is helping local under-resourced people start businesses! Partnering with the Unitarian Society and the Multicultural Development Center of Iowa (MDC Iowa), ELLI is creating a more equitable local economy. On this night, enjoy desserts, drinks and Iowa music legend Dave Moore. Donations gratefully accepted. Learn more.  

 

FroYo for a Cause

Time: All day

Location: Yotopia Frozen Yogurt (132 S Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52240)

About:

• Yotopia is partnering with the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County (IWNJC)! Show up to Yotopia in order to support the IWNJC for an all day fundraiser. Be sure to mention the IWNJC organization when you pay for your fro-yo to help them get a boost!

 

 

Saturday, September 13

 

Church Rummage Sale & Community-Wide Garage Sale

Time: Church Rummage Sale (8:00 AM – 2:00 PM); Community-Wide Garage Sale (All-Day)

Location: Church Rummage Sale (1035 Wade St, Iowa City, IA 52240); Community-Wide Garage Sale (Eastside Iowa City)

About:

• Donate household items to the Iowa City Church of the Nazarene (prior to the 13th) for a big rummage sale in their parking lot. In addition, the Eastside Neighborhood Association is organizing yard sales throughout the larger Eastside neighborhood. Learn more. 

 

Climate & Community 

Time: See below

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

About:

• Youth workshop from Youth of Tomorrow: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Latino Food, Music, and Dance: 12:00 – 12:30 PM; Spanish Heat Safety Workshop: 12:30 – 2:00 PM. 

 

Global Food Project Farmer’s Market

Time: 3:00 – 6:00 PM

Location: Johnson County Historic Poor Farm (4811 Melrose Ave, Iowa City, IA 52246)

About:

• Global Food Project program, with IC Compassion, will host their farmer’s market on Saturday Sept. 13th from 3-6 pm at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm. Music for the market is Soft and Low who describe themselves as original folk-rock and their website is thesoftandlow.com. They’ll have Jamaican patties from Auntie’s Patties, tamales from Delicias Marcela, and snow cones from Snow Nouveau Botanical Shave Ice. Our produce vendors accept cash, SNAP/EBT, Double Up Food Bucks and some vendors accept WIC Farmers Market Checks and Senior Vouchers. All fresh produce is organically grown at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm by immigrant and refugee growers. Learn more. 

 

 

Sunday, September 14

 

Community Sunday Service

Time: 11:00 AM

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

About:

• Join us for a celebration of unity and diversity. This interfaith service will emphasize our shared values and commitment to welcoming all. Individual blessing and appreciations for each of our Welcome Weekend volunteers will be conferred. Learn more. 

 

Intercultural Welcome Festival

Time: 1:00–4:00 PM

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

About:

• Following the above interfaith service, all are invited to Mercer Park just up the street for a multicultural celebration that includes live music, a free meal and a variety of foods to sample, children’s activities, and cultural displays that highlight the richness of our community. Learn more. 

 

Welcome to Printmaking

Time: 

Location: Public Space One Print Press Co-Op

About:

• PS1 and the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County (IWNJC) invite you to make art prints around the theme of celebrating migration and welcoming our new immigrants and refugee neighbors. 

 

 

Wednesday, September 17

 

RSFIC Coffee and Coworking

Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

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

About:

• Visit RSFIC for a chance to learn about RSFIC & the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County’s (IWNJC) work and how you can get involved! 

 

Greater IC Lunch Connection: Learn About Welcoming Week!

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Location: The Airliner (22 S Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52240)

About:

• The Greater Iowa City, Inc. Lunch Connection brings together business professionals, community leaders, and city officials. All are invited to learn more about city plans and events affecting businesses, local resources, and new opportunities. Join us for a lunch, a brief program, and informal networking. Cost is based on individual orders from the menu. Learn more. 

 

A Danish Nurse’s Journey with MSF: From Sudan to the Gaza Strip

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM

Location: Iowa City Public Library (123 S Linn St, Iowa City, IA 52240). Also streaming online. 

About:

• Anni Fjord, a Danish nurse with over 45 years of experience working in both Denmark and international crisis zones, will share insights from her extensive career with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders. Her presentation will explore the diverse roles and challenges faced by medical professionals in the field, including responding to natural disasters and conflict zones, collaborating with local health workers, and leading international teams under pressure. Refreshments provided. Hosted by the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council. Learn more. 

 

 

Thursday, September 18

 

Mementos from Home and Celebrating Welcoming Week

Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Location: Old Town Plaza at North Liberty City Hall (405 N Front St, North Liberty, IA 52317)

About:

• The City of North Liberty is celebrating Welcoming Week. This year, Welcoming Week calls us to celebrate differences and spot what we have in common through Stories We Share. Join us on the Old Town Plaza for a food truck, grab a Welcoming Week yard sign, and take part in an interactive world map. We invite you to bring a memento that reminds you of wherever you consider home to share as part of a video compilation. Participants will receive a gift card for sharing their memento. Learn more. 

 

 

Friday, September 19

 

Welcoming Week Free Community Meal

Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Location: Library Lawn, Coralville Public Library (1401 5th St, Coralville, IA 52241)

About:

• All are welcome! The Coralville Public Library is excited to partner with their friends at the Coralville Community Food Pantry to host a Welcoming Week Free Community Meal on the Library’s front lawn. The goal of the meal is to cultivate solidarity within our community by sharing a nourishing meal with our neighbors. The meal will feature chili, cinnamon rolls, various sides, and dessert. Vegan and gluten-free options will be available. Bring a blanket or chairs to eat on the lawn; fun activities for all ages and live music by the Family Folk Machine will serenade your ear as you enjoy a meal with your neighbors. Learn more. 

 

 

Saturday, September 20

 

IWNJC’s 2nd Anniversary Gala

Time: 5:00-8:00 PM

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

About:

• The Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County (IWNJC) is proud to celebrate over two years of service to newly arrived immigrants and refugees in the community! Our mission is to provide temporary housing and comprehensive assistance to these families while promoting self-sufficiency as they navigate the complexities of resettlement and integration into our community. The 2nd Anniversary Gala is a celebration of community resilience and a critical fundraiser for our programs. Learn more. 

 

Miller Orchard Neighborhood Jamboree

Time: 5:00-7:00 PM

Location: Benton Hill Park (615 W Benton St, Iowa City)

About:

• Everyone in the Miller Orchard Neighborhood is invited to the third annual Jamboree in Benton Hill Park. Live music, games, delicious food from Catered by Charlotte, kids’ fun with Anytime Fitness and Hailey’s Face-painting, a Neighborhood Gardens demo, and live reptiles! We will be raffling off gift cards from local businesses. And the Bike Library is giving away a bike! Bring your neighbors and make new friends. 

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