King County Library System (KCLS) is celebrating Welcoming Week from September 13 to 22, highlighting events and activities to support immigrants and refugees at libraries across King County. Join us for world music and dance, author events, book giveaways, arts and crafts workshops and more.
“Welcoming Week is an opportunity to celebrate the values that unite us as neighbors, parents and colleagues, and to make our communities more welcoming to all who call King County home,” stated KCLS Executive Director Heidi Daniel. “KCLS is committed to inclusion — our doors are open to all.”
Presented by Welcoming America, Welcoming Week is an annual campaign and celebration to encourage communities to be more welcoming places for everyone, including immigrants. Launched in 2012, the campaign promotes inclusivity through events and local initiatives that foster mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants, as well as deeper belonging for all.
Some of this year’s events include:
We Are SeaTac
Saturday, September 14, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
SeaTac Community Center
Connect with your SeaTac neighbors at this family-friendly event. Get free books and find helpful resources and services at an immigrants and refugees resource fair.
Japanese Tea Ceremony
Saturday, September 21, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Fall City Library
Watch a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstration with live narration. Enjoy samples of matcha tea and Japanese sweets.
Celebration of World Music and Dance
Sunday, September 22, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Redmond Library
Immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of world music and dance at this eclectic mix of performances. Enjoy the lively sounds of Mariachi, the graceful movements of Odissi Classical Indian Dance, the soulful melodies of Ukrainian Bandura and the powerful rhythms of Taiko drumming.
A full schedule of events and more information is available at kcls.org/welcomingweek.
KCLS supports immigrants, refugees and new arrivals through Welcoming Centers at six locations including the Auburn, Bellevue, Federal Way 320th, Kent, Redmond and Tukwila Libraries. Welcoming Centers are staffed with “Welcoming Ambassadors” who offer culturally responsive support in 14 languages to help community members transition to their new lives. Ambassadors connect people to essential services such as food, clothing and housing, education, transportation, employment, health, pathways to citizenship and more.
“As an immigrant myself, working at the Welcoming Center has been deeply meaningful to me,” said Zahra Mohamed, a Welcoming Ambassador at the Tukwila Library. “It's a privilege to help create a space where newcomers feel supported and valued.”
