FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2016
Contacts:
Tim Close Danielle Burch
Director of Development and Communications Communications Associate
(253) 383-3951, ext. 229 (253) 383-3951, ext. 234
TACOMA JOINS IN NATIONAL WELCOMING WEEK (SEPT. 16-25)
TACOMA, WA – Sept. 16-25, 2016 is National Welcoming Week, a time when communities across the country host events to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for immigrants and refugees. As an official Welcoming City, Tacoma is participating in the festivities:
· MAYOR’S WELCOMING WEEK PROCLAMATION
o Tuesday, Sept. 13 (5pm) @ Tacoma City Council Chambers
o Mayor Strickland will issue a Welcoming Week proclamation upholding Tacoma as a Welcoming City. Liban, a young African refugee and panelist in the Sept. 21 youth forum, will accept the proclamation as a meaningful gesture of solidarity.
· IMMIGRANT CHOIR PERFORMANCE
o Thursday, Sept. 15 (6:30pm) @ Museum of Glass
o As part of Tacoma’s city-wide Art Walk, the Tacoma Community House choir—made up of immigrants and other community members—will host a special performance.
· PIERCE COUNTY’S 6TH ANNUAL CITIZENSHIP CELEBRATION
o Saturday, Sept. 17 (10am) @ Mount Tahoma High School
o Pierce County will host its 6th annual Citizenship Celebration by swearing in nearly 100 new U.S. citizens.For the past five years, the Citizenship Celebration has drawn hundreds ofPierce County residentswith origins spanning over 40 different countries. This event is in honor of Welcoming Week andWorld Constitution Day (September 17)which commemorates the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787.
United States Citizenshipand Immigration Services (USCIS) will start checking in citizens-to-be around 10 a.m., with theswearing in ceremonystarting at 11 a.m. andending by noon.TheTacoma Community Housechoirwill perform around 10-10:15 a.m. After the ceremony, attendees are encouragedto register to vote and mingle. A light breakfast and refreshments will be served.There will also be tables from supporting organizations,voter registration materials, a world map activity, volunteers in traditional costumes, photo opportunities, childcare, and more!
· IMMIGRANT REFUGEE YOUTH FORUM: WHAT MAKES TACOMA A WELCOMING CITY?
o Wednesday, Sept. 21 (5-7pm) @ UW Tacoma, JOY 215
o Tacoma Community House has partnered with local organizations to host a panel of young speakers to share their personal storiesasfirst- and second-generation immigrations, refugees, and DREAMers—stories rich with struggle, triumph, and dreams for the future. Join us along withTacoma’s decision-makers for this important community forum. We will discuss the challenges facingTacoma as a Welcoming City, as well as future strides we can make toimprove our city fornewcomers. Space will be limited, so please RSVP to Audra Hudson at 253-383-3952 or by Sept. 16.
· FLAVOR: STAND UP FOR IMMIGRANTS, SIT DOWN FOR A MEAL
o Thursday, Sept. 22 (All Day) @ 10 Participating Restaurants
o The time has come, once again, for Tacoma area restaurants to join together to celebrate the culinary talents and contributions of immigrant owned and/or immigrant friendly restaurants. Don’t miss it! FLAVOR will be onThursday, September 22, 2016when local restaurants, cafes and bars support Tacoma Community House programs by donating a minimum of 25% of that day’s sales. TCH provides 3,700 program services to 2,700 adults and youth annually from the U.S. and over 90 other countries, through its four core programs of Education, Employment, Immigration and Advocacy (domestic violence). Learn more at www.tacomacommunityhouse.org/flavor.
o Partners include:
§ Aviateur(1498 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402)
§ Europa Bistro(2515 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, WA 98406)
§ Il Lucano Ristorante Italiano(3119 Judson St, Gig Harbor, WA 98335)
§ Indo Asian Street Eatery(110 N Tacoma Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403)
§ Indochine Asian Dining Lounge(1924 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402)
§ Infinite Soups(445 Tacoma Ave S., Tacoma, WA 98402)
§ Joeseppi’s Italian Ristorante(2207 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98406)
§ Primo Grill(2701 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406)
§ The Spar(2121 N 30th St, Tacoma, WA 98403)
§ Vien Dong(3801 S. Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA 98418)