 Welcoming Week is a nationwide initiative designed to bring together immigrants, refugees and native-born residents and foster a community where everyone feels a sense a belonging. Welcoming Week is recognized Sept. 13-22, and this year’s theme is “We’re All In.”
As a Welcoming City, the City of Minneapolis hosts annual events in recognition of Welcoming Week to welcome new residents to the city and, because Citizenship Day always takes place during Welcoming Week, share information about how to become a United States citizen.
Visit the City’s Immigrant and Refugee Affairs webpage for this year’s calendar of events and additional details as they are confirmed.
Minneapolis events
Join us at any of these free events.
Welcoming Week resolution before City Council
Thursday, Sept. 5, 9:30 a.m.
Third floor Council chambers, Public Service Center, 505 S. 4th Ave.
Watch live on the City of Minneapolis YouTube channel
Twin Cities monthly immigration forum - Welcoming Week edition
Thurs., Sept. 12, 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Join online over Microsoft Teams
Or call in (audio only) at +1 612-276-6670 with meeting ID 365504388#
Learning lab on engaging with immigrant and refugee communities
Friday, Sept. 13, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Public Service Building, 505 4th Ave. S.
Registration required
Welcoming Week celebration & citizenship and immigration resource fair
Saturday, Sept. 14, 1 - 4 p.m.
South Minneapolis CareerForce, 777 E. Lake Street.
For more information, visit the City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs or reach out to oira@minneapolismn.gov.
Office hours for immigrants and refugees
The Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs hosts weekly community office hours. Office hours provide basic information on immigration legal services, shelter resources, health care and more.
Stop by South Minneapolis CareerForce, 777 E. Lake Street. The next open hours are on Mondays 1- 4 p.m. and Wednesdays, 2-4 p.m.
Please note, there are no office hours on Sept. 2 due to the Labor Day holiday.
Learn more on the City website, email Michelle Rivero, or call 612-394-6018.
 The City of Minneapolis shares important news and updates in English, Spanish, Somali, Oromo and Hmong over community radio stations and two television programs.
You can see the upcoming schedule for these shows and find past recordings on the City website.
 City staff, neighborhood organizations, City partners and community members are invited to learn strategies for effectively engaging Minneapolis communities through this free learning lab series.
This is a good opportunity to meet City staff and organizations doing community engagement work and learn more about how the City engages residents.
Both afternoon and evening schedules are available. Afternoon learning labs will be in person from 12-1:30 p.m., and evening learning labs will be online from either 5-6:30 p.m. or 6-7:30 p.m.
View the schedule and save your spot.
Topics
The material covered in these learning labs includes historical events and how they impact communities today. Labs also touch on effective, appropriate modes of communication relevant to each community, major gathering places, events and holidays, etc. The learning labs included in this series are:
- Effectively Planning for Community Engagement
- American Indian Community and Effective Engagement
- Latino Community and Effective Engagement
- Southeast Asian Community and Effective Engagement
- East African Community and Effective Engagement
- Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and Community Considerations
- African American Community and Effective Engagement
- Effectively Engaging People with Disabilities
 NCR said goodbye to our three outstanding Urban Scholars on Aug. 16.
Cait Lopata (Macalester College), Fatima Aden (University of Minnesota) and Georgia Schaefer-Brown (Dickinson College) spent their summer working on outreach, language access and community engagement projects for the City. As their time drew to a close, our Urban Scholars shared project updates as part of NCR’s presentation before the Administration and Enterprise Oversight Committee of City Council on Aug. 5.
Watch the presentation.
Urban Scholars is a 12-week paid internship and includes formal leadership and professional development training. Scholars spend four days a week working on meaningful projects and work assignments alongside organizational leaders at various host sites. One day a week, Scholars come together as a cohort to learn and practice skills in leadership, professional development, small groups, and public speaking.
Learn more and sign up to be notified when applications open for next year on the City website.
 |
|
We are excited to welcome back our East African community specialist, Farhia Budul. Starting last August, Farhia took a one-year leave of absence as part of her Bush fellowship. As a fellow, she is raising awareness of addiction, spreading hope for recovery and working to eliminate stigma. Farhia is excited to return to the City of Minneapolis and resume her role. |
Seynab Miyer, who joined NCR in 2023 as a temporary East African community specialist, will be staying on staff in a new role in the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs as a community relations specialist.
Before joining NCR, Seynab worked at the International Institute of Minnesota in various roles, including immigration services specialist, refugee resettlement case aide and community health educator. Seynab also has her master’s degree in clinical social work with an emphasis in practice with immigrants and refugees from the University of St. Thomas.
|
 Save the date! The 2025 Community Connections Conference is planned for Feb. 8. This yearly event brings together residents of Minneapolis, community groups, neighborhoods and local government to learn and connect.
The conference will be held in the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404.
Opportunities to get involved as an exhibitor or volunteer will be announced soon.
Watch the Community Connections Conference webpage for updates.
The 8th annual Battle of the Badges returns on Sept. 7. This year, the competition features Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minneapolis Police, Minneapolis Fire and Minneapolis Park Police. They are vying for bragging rights over who can grill up the best BBQ. The family-friendly event includes free food, entertainment, giveaways, bounce houses and more.
Battle of the Badges
11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7
North Commons Park, 1801 James Ave. N
Find out more on the City Facebook page.
|
 The City is recruiting members for boards and commissions to strengthen the work of the City. People with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are encouraged to apply.
Members are recruited twice each year, in the spring and fall. Fall applications will be accepted Sept. 1 through Sept. 30.
These groups shape key policy decisions, represent their community in the City’s administration of services and supply valuable insights. Boards and commissions have brought forward recommendations that resulted in:
- Renter protections.
- Wage protections.
- Bicycle safety infrastructure.
- Gender-neutral restrooms.
- Public art.
- A ban on a hazardous chemical in dry cleaning.
- The 2023 Climate Equity Plan.
- Paid sick and safe time.
- The Minneapolis Food Vision.
Check for current openings and apply for positions on the City website beginning Sept. 1.
For more information call 612-673-2216 or email ABCAdmin@minneapolismn.gov.
 Minneapolis Animal Care & Control (MACC) has received 30 reports so far about a scam involving lost pets.
The City wants residents to be aware. MACC will never ask for money in a lost pet situation. When MACC identifies owners of lost pets in its care, the owner must visit the shelter in person and show proof of ownership.
The scam works like this: scammers look for posts about lost pets and then contact the owners. Sometimes they spoof the City’s phone number and pose as an animal control officer. They lie about finding a pet who needs a bogus emergency surgery. They send a link to wire money, potentially defrauding pet owners of thousands of dollars.
For more information – or if people believe they have received a scam call or text – call 612-673-6222 to talk to a MACC staff member.
Read more on the City website.
METRO Blue Line extension public hearing Sept. 12
You can comment on preliminary design plans for the METRO Blue Line Extension. The project will extend the Blue Line from Target Field Station through North Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park.
The project can improve the speed and reliability of transit, enhance street safety for all modes of travel, advance climate goals, and make it easier to reach resources, schools and workplaces.
Cities along the proposed route are holding public meetings to discuss the plans. Minneapolis will hold its public hearing in September:
Minneapolis public hearing
1:30 p.m. during the Climate and Infrastructure Committee meeting
Thursday, Sept. 12
Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S., Council Chamber, Room 350
Find out how to participate in a public hearing.
You can also send your comments by email.
The project is co-led by the Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County.
Find more information on the Blue Line Extension project on the City of Minneapolis website or Metropolitan Council website.
Public comments accepted, webinars available on new FAA departure procedures
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is implementing GPS-based navigation instead of ground-based navigation as a part of modernizing the national airspace. GPS-based procedures are seen as safer and more efficient, adding precision to flight paths, but they may change flight patterns and the experience on the ground.
The FAA hosted two public webinars on Aug. 14 and 15 to present information and take questions about the new procedures for MSP Airport.
Watch the webinars and learn how to submit your comments on the Federal Aviation Administration website. The deadline for sharing comments is Sept. 15.
Find out more on the Metropolitan Airports Commission website.
Hennepin County support for child emotional issues
If your child has a mental, behavioral or emotional issue that leaves you overwhelmed, Hennepin County offers help. Support is free and quick.
There are no specific criteria required for Family Response support, but concerns may include children or youths who are:
- Having a hard time with a family member or change in the home.
- Showing aggression or anger.
- Feeling down or less engaged.
- Feeling worried and concerned.
- Having issues at school.
Learn more about how to get support from the Family Response and Stabilization Service on the Hennepin County website.
 The deadline for artists to apply for the new Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts has been extended by two weeks.
The program provides City funding to subsidize rent for artists and arts organizations in vacant storefronts in the Harmon Place Historic District. This will ensure stable tenants for property owners and furnish essential space for the local creative community. This pilot is intended to support creative opportunities and increase vibrancy, innovation and sustainability.
The program is open to Minnesota residents, with a preference for Minneapolis residents.
The first round of applications will be accepted through Sept. 13. Applicants from all disciplines including visual, performing, literary, media, culinary, digital and public arts, design, craft and non-traditional mediums are encouraged to apply.
Read more on the City website.
Mayor Jacob Frey delivers 2025 budget address
Mayor Jacob Frey delivered his 2025 budget address Aug. 14.
The budget proposal features investments for the City’s workforce, funding for the federal consent decree and state settlement agreement. Commitments continue for the City’s affordable housing work, sustainable climate action, downtown revitalization and inclusive economic development.
The mayor’s proposed 2025 budget totals $1.88 billion with a proposed tax levy increase of 8.1%.
Read more about the proposed 2025 budget.
Watch the mayor’s budget address on the City YouTube channel.
 With severe weather moving through the metro, the City is sharing important information and resources to help residents and work crews stay safe.
Power lines
If you come across a downed power line, always assume it is energized and dangerous. Never touch or move a downed power line. Leave the area and report it immediately by calling 1-800-895-1999. Xcel Energy actively responds to power outages. You can check outage status on the Xcel Energy website.
After a storm, please give work crews space so they can safely clean up debris and downed power lines. Also, leave 911 open for emergencies.
Traffic signals
If you encounter a traffic signal that’s flashing or completely out, treat the intersection like a four-way stop yielding to pedestrians. Report issues with City streets by calling 311 or report an issue on the City website.
Tree damage
Property owners are responsible for trees on their property. Tree debris such as leaves, branches (less than 3 ft long and less than 3 in diameter) and twigs are accepted with your regular yard waste collection. Larger branches are not accepted. Find out more on the City website.
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board is responsible for City-owned trees on the boulevards and park property. Report storm damage to them by calling 612-313-7710. Find out more on the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board website.
Tips to prepare
Get additional tips for what to do during a power outage from Ready.gov.
Read more about the City’s response to recent storms on the City website.
 The City Trees program is offering $30 trees now through Sept. 30. Minneapolis residents and property owners can purchase up to three trees per address. Choose from shade trees, fruit trees, flowering trees and evergreen trees.
Purchase a tree today while supplies last.
City Trees program
Since the program began in 2006, the City Trees program has provided more than 20,000 low-cost trees for planting on private property, with 7,500 trees distributed in the last five years.
Learn more about our City Trees program.
Low-cost trees for businesses
Businesses, nonprofits, organizations, and owners of properties with five or more units can also purchase $30 trees. Submit an application before Sept. 15.
Free community tree workshops - offered in English and Spanish
Join the City of Minneapolis Green Careers Exploration Program for a series of free community tree workshops! You will learn the best way to care for your trees, keep them healthy and enjoy them.
You are welcome to register for one or the full series of these free workshops.
Upcoming workshops
- Tree care and planting, Saturday, Oct. 19 | 2-5 p.m., Little Earth, 2495 18th Ave. S.
- Pruning techniques, Saturday, Nov. 2 | 2-5 p.m., Little Earth, 2495 18th Ave. S.
The City is also offering workshops in Spanish. Find the Spanish workshops and sign up for all of the workshop offerings on our registration page
| 
