Every September, the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) participates in Welcoming America’s National Welcoming Week by hosting events here in Philadelphia!
This year’s Welcoming Week takes place September 16 – 26. Welcoming Week highlights that Philadelphia is an open, friendly, and hospitable environment for immigrants and people of all backgrounds. The activities and events provide U.S.-born and foreign-born residents an opportunity to explore other cultures — and develop a deeper appreciation for one another.
Be sure to follow OIA on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated on events — if you’re participating in Welcoming Week, let us know using the hashtags #WelcomingWeek and #WelcomingWeekPHL!
Scheduled Events
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
6:00 p.m. – Opening Reception of Welcoming Week 2016
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Granite Restaurant
Description: The Office of Immigrant Affairs, in collaboration with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, will host an Opening Reception for partners and sponsors of Philadelphia Welcoming Week (Invite only).
Friday, September 16, 2016
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – PAAFF – First Asian Chef Experience
Where: Hamilton Hall at University of the Arts, 320 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Description: PAAFF’s (Philadelphia Asian American Film & Filmmaker) will host a special Chef tasting event with 10 of Philadelphia’s most prominent Asian American & Pacific Islander Chefs preparing tasting sized portions of their best dishes. This event will not only raise funds for the 2016 festival, but also highlight the incredible talent and diversity of cuisine within local community of culinary artists. A ticket to the event includes samplings of each chef’s food and complimentary beer & wine.
Saturday, September 17, 2016
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – International Peace Day Concert
Where: Kimmel Center, 300 S Broad Street
Description: The International Peace Day Concert will include over 300 performers from the area’s youth choir and orchestras, as well as leading international artists from abroad. The International Peace Day Concert promotes the message of “Peace One Day” and “harnessing the power of music to call to end conflict and violence.”
Sunday, September 18, 2016
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Philadelphia International Unity Cup Soccer Games
Where: South Philly Supersite, 11th & Bigler Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Description: A soccer tournament that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the “City of Brotherly Love” through the worldwide appeal of soccer. The day’s tournaments include: Ivory Coast vs Germany, Indonesia vs Argentina, Poland vs Vietnam, Sudan vs Ukraine and Turkey vs Puerto Rico. For more information, visit the site.
1:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. — Local Artists’ Craft Fair
Where: Gravy Studio + Gallery, 910 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19123
Description: Gravy is hosting a craft fair for local artists who have mastered traditional crafts such as weaving, knitting, paper cutting, and pottery among others. Come shop local and decorate your home with a unique piece of art! Attendees will also receive a free photo print from one of the artists in the gallery show.
2:00 p.m. – Interfaith Dialogue, Peace Day Philly & United Nation Chapter Philadelphia
Where: Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Description: Share your efforts to nurture peace in yourself, in your relationships, and in the world with reflections from diverse perspectives as well as group and pair discussions in an environment open to all faiths. For more information, visit the site.
2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Mexican Independence Day
Where: Penn’s Landing, 101 Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106
Description: Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with music, food, dancing and more. Browse traditional arts and crafts, dance with Mexican rock bands and enjoy face painting and giveaways during the popular event at Penn’s Landing.
2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Philadelphia International Unity Cup Soccer Games
Where: Ramp Playground, 3300-40 Solly Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19136
Description: A soccer tournament that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the “City of Brotherly Love” through the worldwide appeal of soccer. The day’s tournaments include: Bhutan vs Guatemala, Nigeria vs Jamaica, Congo vs Lithuania and Italy vs South Korea. For more information, visit the site.
Monday, September 19, 2016
11:30 a.m. – Puerto Rican Flag Raising
Where: North East Apron of City Hall
Description: Puerto Rican Flag Raising Ceremony is hosted by the office Councilwoman Maria Quiñonez-Sánchez. As part of the OIA’s City Hall Welcomes program, OIA, in coordination with local communities and diplomatic representatives, coordinates flag-raising ceremonies at City Hall to officially welcome communities from different countries. With this program, OIA looks to promote understand, respect, and appreciation for our many residents, cultures and communities.
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Refugee Mental Health Seminar
Where: Conversation Hall (Room 201), City Hall
Description: Mental Health 101 for Refugee and Immigrant Communities hosted by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and OIA, with presentations by the Refugee Mental Health Collaborative, SEAMACC and Jefferson University-Center for Urban Health. Promoting resilience and healing in cultural communities.
3:00 p.m. – Philadelphia International Unity Cup Soccer Tournament Talk with PhillyCam
Where: 699 Ranstead St #1, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (Studio 19)
Description: PhillyCam, The Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation and OIA will host a talk about the International Unity Cup soccer tournament that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the “City of Brotherly Love” through the worldwide appeal of soccer. The talk will be live from PhillyCam Studio 19, and later will be shared online.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Twitter Chat with Miriam Enriquez, Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs
Where: Join the conversation using #AskPhilly on Twitter
Description: Miriam Enriquez will host a twitter chat to talk about the Office of Immigrant Affairs and answer questions from the people of Philadelphia. You can join the Twitter chat by tweeting your questions using the #AskPhilly hashtag.
11:30 a.m.– Brazilian Flag Raising Ceremony
Where: North East Apron of City Hall
Description: Brazilian Flag Raising Ceremony host by the office of Councilman David Oh and co-hosted by OIA. This flag raising is part of the Office of Immigrant Affairs’ City Hall Welcomes program, which celebrates Philadelphia’s diversity, in an effort to make Philadelphia a welcoming city for immigrants. With this program, OIA looks to promote understanding, respect and appreciation for our many residents, cultures and communities.
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Resilient Communities Panel Discussion
Where: Conversation Hall (Room 201), City Hall
Description: A panel discussion focused on empowering immigrant communities through preventive-educational and resiliency programs that promote physical, mental, and emotional health. Experts will discuss how cities can be aware and sensitive to the needs of immigrant communities.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
10:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. — Refugee Farmers Market
Where: Nationalities Service Center, 1216 Arch Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, Pa.
Description: Fresh natural fruits and vegetables produced in South Philly by refugees of Philadelphia.
11:30 a.m. – Peace Day Philly
Where: North East Apron of City Hall
Description: A day focused on building positive peace and creating the conditions for peace, unity, and justice through diverse and collaborative activities such as: dialogue, skill and resiliency building, creativity, mindfulness and citizenship. The highlight will be afternoon meditation. For more information, visit the site.
12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – City Hall Tour hosted by the Welcoming Center For New Pennsylvanians
Where: The Innovation Lab, 1401 John F Kennedy Blvd., Municipal Service Building, 16th Floor
Description: The Welcoming Center For New Pennsylvanians will conduct a day of engagement with the City of Philadelphia for a group of foreign-trained professionals from Greater Philadelphia. The goal of the tour is to introduce new Philadelphians to what the City is doing to make Philadelphia the most engaging environment for immigrants across the nation. The tour will start with a visit to the Philadelphia Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Office of Human Resources, and will end with a visit to City Council offices.
2:00 p.m. – Al-Bustan Tahkt Ensemble and Student Drummers from the Moffet School
Where: City Hall Courtyard
Description: Culture in the Courtyard, a new outdoor performance series that brings the arts directly to Philadelphians at the heart of Philadelphia and the crossroads of the city, the City Hall Courtyard. Produced by the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, these performances are free to the public to enjoy on the following Wednesdays at noon. Showcasing Al-Bustan partnerships with John Moffet Elementary School, offering students in-school and after-school educational programming in Arab arts and culture. Working over three years in different capacities with the school, our partnership currently entails a 3-days a week after0school program. With the continuation of the Moffet Arab Arts After-School Program in the 2016-17 academic year, Al-Bustan is committed to offering high-quality arts instruction and enriching cultural opportunities to students while deepening bonds in the community.
2:00 p.m. – City Council Briefing -World Refugee Crisis and Philadelphia’s Response
Where: City Council Caucus Room, City Hall
Description: Councilwoman Helen Gym and OIA will host a briefing about the global refugee crisis and Philadelphia’s response. Resettlement agencies in Philadelphia (Nationalities Service Center, HIAS PA, and Bethany Christian Services) will brief City Council members, staff and members of the public on what they are doing to respond to the global refugee crisis by working to ensure local capacity, increase the number of refugees resettled in the area, and ensure they are placed in neighborhoods and jobs that afford them opportunities for integration.
6:30 p.m. – East Point Breeze Neighbors General Meeting
Where: Free Library South Philadelphia Branch, 1700 S Broad Street
Description: East Point Breeze Neighbors Association will be hosting their September meeting. Featured speakers include Hani White from the City’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, representatives from SEAMAAC, and Jessica Hinchey from the Nationalities Service Center. East Point Breeze Neighbors will learn about South Philadelphia’s immigrant communities and how local civic organizations and neighbors can be a part of providing a welcoming community to new arrivals.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
12:30 p.m. – Temple University’s Panel Discussion – Local Immigration Law and Policy
Where: Paley Library Lecture Hall, 1210 W Berks Street (Temple University Main Campus)
Description: Local Immigration Law and Policy: A Philadelphia Case Study
A discussion of Philadelphia local law and immigration policy, with a focus on the city’s status as sanctuary city and information on sanctuary cities and the overall movement. Moderated by Jen Lee of Temple University Beasley School of Law.
3:00 p.m. – Language Access Training
Where: HACE, 200 E Somerset St., Philadelphia, PA 19134
Description: Training for Nonprofit Organization on Language Access and how the city is implementing Language Access Philly.
Friday, September 23, 2016
12:00 p.m. – Voter Education at City Hall
Where: City Hall Courtyard
Description: Voting is one of the most powerful rights one can have as a citizen! Come to the Courtyard of City Hall to register and learn how to vote in a voting booth. The City Commissioners’ Office and Councilman David Oh will provide voter registration materials in multiple languages. Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition (PICC) will also be present at this event to lend voter education support.
12:30 p.m. – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony
Where: City Hall Courtyard
Description: Dozens of immigrants will take the Oath of citizenship to officially become citizens of the United States during this naturalization ceremony hosted by United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Mayor Kenney will be the keynote speaker.
5:30 p.m. – Welcoming Week Bar/Food Crawl
Where: Salsa on the Square (2126 East Lehigh Avenue), Las Cazuelas (426 W Girard), Los Gallos (951 Wolf Street), Mixto (1141 Pine Street)
Description: As part of Welcoming Week and Hispanic Heritage Month, this bar/food crawl will let business owners will briefly share their immigrant stories and delicious food from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba and other Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. — Cyanotype Day
Where: Penn Treaty Park, 1301 N. Beach Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Description: In celebration of World Cyanotype Day, join The Halide Project and Gravy Studio and try your hand at this historic photographic process! We will provide the pre-coated cyanotype paper and chemistry; all you have to bring is negatives or objects to create photograms with! A “clothesline” gallery will be set up on-site where participants can hang work to display. There will also be a demo at Gravy Studio after this event from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. to show attendees how to make cyanotypes from digital negatives.
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Mifflin Square Park Health Fair
Where: Mifflin Square Park, 6th & Wolf Street
Description: SEAMAAC, Bethanna, and the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Immigrant Affairs will be hosting the Mifflin Square Park Health Fair. A day full of family fun including exercise classes, preventative screenings, healthy food, and a variety of health information. In the case of inclement weather, the health fair will take place on Sunday, September 25 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
12:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – AAU Mid-Autumn Festival
Where: Chinatown, Philadelphia
Description: AAU’s Mid-Autumn Festival creates a time when people come together in an expression of community pride and collective responsibility. Youth give a day of service, restaurants donate food, artists offer their talents, businesses, organizations and hundreds of people work together to make the festival their own. For more information, visit the site.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Philadelphia International Unity Cup Soccer Games
Where: South Philly Supersite, 11th & Bigler Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Description: A soccer tournament that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the “City of Brotherly Love” through the worldwide appeal of soccer. The day’s tournaments include: Italy vs Jamaica, Germany vs Cambodia, Indonesia vs Lithuania, Nigeria vs South Korea and Ukraine vs Bhutan. For more information, visit the site.
12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Brazilian Day
Where: Penn’s Landing, 101 Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106
Description: The celebration of Brazil’s rich culture in Philadelphia that boasts an empowering mission to celebrate, promote and share Brazilian arts and culture in the Greater Philadelphia region while fostering intercultural exchange and uniting the Brazilian community. For more information, visit the site.
12:00 p.m. – Puerto Rican Day Parade
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Description: More than 1,500 musicians, performers, local celebrities and youth groups take to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Puerto Rican Day Parade, the city’s largest and oldest outdoor event celebrating Latino and Puerto Rican heritage.
2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Philadelphia International Unity Cup Soccer Games
Where: Ramp Playground, 3300-40 Solly Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19136
Description: A soccer tournament that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the “City of Brotherly Love” through the worldwide appeal of soccer. The day’s tournaments include: Sudan vs Guatemala, Liberia vs Spain, Ivory Coast vs Honduras and Turkey vs India. For more information, visit the site.
Monday, September 26, 2016
11:30 a.m. – Immigrant Business Recognition & Welcoming Week Closing Ceremony
Where: City Hall Courtyard
Description: Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce will honor immigrant businesses for their contribution to Philadelphia economy and small business industry. This event will also serve as the closing ceremony for the Philadelphia Welcoming Week 2016.
More information on festivities across the country available at Welcoming America.
Be sure to follow OIA on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated on events — if you’re participating in Welcoming Week, let us know using the hashtags #WelcomingWeek and #WelcomingWeekPHL!