Immigrant Allies To Participate In Rural Welcoming Initiative

The national nonprofit Welcoming America has chosen Immigrant Allies, a committee of Humans United for Equality (a non-profit organization in Crawfordsville, IN), to participate in their Rural Welcoming Initiative. Multiple communities from across the nation have been selected for participation in the initiative. Through a competitive process, Immigrant Allies was chosen because of its commitment to building a more welcoming and inclusive community.

Immigrants and refugees come to this country searching for safety and opportunities for education, employment, and ultimately, to be part of a thriving community. While some make their new homes in more populous cities, many follow opportunities in smaller cities and more rural parts of the country.

Rural communities often have much to offer these newcomers: steady employment, a reasonable cost of living, a sense of belonging, and for many, the chance to live in a place that is similar in size to where they come from. Immigrants and refugees feel welcomed when communities have created programs, partnerships, policies, and opportunities that engage them.

Welcoming America will provide Immigrant Allies with technical assistance, coaching, and access to ongoing peer learning opportunities to increase their capacity to create and implement more welcoming policies and practices. Participants will also be granted membership to the Welcoming Network that includes over 300 local government and nonprofit members.

Rural Welcoming Initiative participants: 

• City of Gunnison – Gunnison, CO
• City of North Liberty – North Liberty, IA
• City of Owatonna – Owatonna, MN
• Empowering Families – Scottsbluff, NE
• Immigrant Allies – Crawfordsville, IN
• Project FINE – Winona, MN
• Town of Mansfield – Mansfield, CT
• Welcome BG – Bowling Green, OH
• West Central Initiative – Fergus Falls, MN
• YMCA at Virginia Tech – Blacksburg, VA

About Immigrant Allies

Immigrants play a crucial role in the vitality of our town. As of 2019, 5.3% of Indiana residents and 3.06% (more than 1000 people) of Montgomery County residents were foreign-born. Immigrant Allies aspires to be a bridge connecting the diverse immigrant community with existing residents so that common ground and shared leadership can be realized. We provide translation services, arrange legal aid and transportation, and assist in fundraising for urgent needs of immigrants who do not have access to other resources. Chaired by Agata Szczeszak-Brewer, Immigrant Allies has several other core members and volunteers who work with local communities.

About Welcoming America

Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. We believe that all people, including immigrants, are valued contributors and vital to the success of our communities and shared future. Through the Welcoming Network, we work to help communities develop the roadmap they need to create welcoming policies and share new approaches to inclusion to create an environment where everyone can truly thrive.