West Michigan Welcome Plan Hosting “Global Gathering” Event
Event is the collaborative’s first large-scale community celebration
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (September 5, 2023) – On September 16, from 11 a.m. -7 p.m., the West Michigan Welcome Plan Collaborative will celebrate Welcoming Week by hosting a large-scale Global Gathering event at Garfield Park in Grand Rapids. Welcoming Week is a worldwide annual celebration that invites communities to deepen their commitment to creating places that are welcoming to all, including immigrants and refugees.
“We are excited to host the Global Gathering event as part of this year’s Welcoming Week,” said Welcome Plan Coordinator Hollin De La Cruz. “This type of event is key to bringing together cultures from around the globe to celebrate the diversity of Kent County and West Michigan.”
Global Gathering is a free, community event which will feature a range of family-friendly activities representing international cultures and genres, including food vendors, cultural learning workshops by local artisans, multicultural music/dance performances, a multicultural fashion show, and a performance by local Congolese group Les Clay.
“As every gathering has its own moment, our Global Gathering is a unique and exciting event where everyone from around the world can come together and share their cultures while feeling welcome in West Michigan,” said Treetops Collective Concentric Leader Alumni Yeshi Kidane.
A complete schedule of events and a list of participating vendors can be found at kentcountynewamericans.org. The Welcome Plan Collaborative is encouraging all residents to attend this event to celebrate unity and diversity in Kent County.
"I am looking forward to the event where communities all over West Michigan will come and share their cultures,” said Treetops Collective Concentric Leader Alumni Rahma Madnur. “Wonderful things can be achieved when we come together. Unity is strength!"
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About the West Michigan Welcome Plan Initiative The West Michigan Welcome Plan is a multi-faceted effort to welcome New Americans, immigrants, and refugees in communities across West Michigan.
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