‘Welcoming Week’ activities again begin in Hazelwood’s Ventura Park

Take a look at some of what happened during this year’s ‘Welcoming Week’ opening event, held once again in outer East Portland …

In Ventura Park, at the Welcoming Week celebration’s commencement event, and holding commemorative T-shirts, here are Portland Office of Community and Civic Life Coordinator II Sharon Keast, and Engagement Coordinator Summar Momey.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Joining communities across the United States, the City of Portland Office of Community & Civic Life (OCCL) again hosted Welcoming Week celebrations, starting with its kickoff on September 13 in the Hazelwood neighborhood’s Ventura Park.

“Through Welcoming Week, organizations and communities bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity,” is how the OCCL describes it.

Welcoming Week organizer, and OCCL Immigrant and Refugee Coordinator Wafa Almakeari, pauses for a photo with Portland Police Officer Natasha Haunsperger, Portland Fire & Rescue Lt. Laurent Picard, Portland Chief of Police Bob Day; and Portland Fire’s Senior Public Education Officer Kim Kosmas.

“This annual week of free events is committed to building inclusive, safe, and equitable communities for immigrants and refugees,” explained OCCL Immigrant and Refugee Coordinator Wafa Almakeari. “The focus of these activities is on providing access to resources and cultural experiences including art, food, and music.”

These performers from Portland’s Ukraine community sing and entertain.

Both government agencies and nonprofit organizations provide information abou their services at this celebration.

“So, we might describe the idea as, to open up the City to being more immigrant and refugee friendly, through a series of 14 planned of events that celebrate different cultures, while connecting our community to government and city resources,” Almakeari told East Portland News.

Other than the opening ceremony, though, all of the other events were held around the city at venues west of outer East Portland; including at Portland City Hall.

Sketching participants in his booth is artist Bernard McKenna of Cartoons by Bernard.

“Welcoming Week is an opportunity to make known our ‘welcoming values’ that promote shared perceptions between émigrés and non-immigrants, as well as deeper feeling of belonging for us all,” Almakeari reflected.

Throughout the afternoon at Welcoming Week, organizations and communities meet one another in a relaxed setting.

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