YMCA of Western Monmouth County to Celebrate Welcoming Week

This Welcoming Week, taking place September 14-23, the YMCA of Western Monmouth County will join Welcoming America and hundreds of YMCAs and other organizations nationwide in hosting events to celebrate immigrants’ contributions to communities and bring together all residents in a spirit of unity. Launched in 2009, Welcoming America is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that is leading the growing movement of inclusive communities nationwide. “At the Y, we believe communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome and we can all work together for the common good,” said John Worley, Interim President & CEO. “We are proud to be a part of Welcoming Week, which is demonstrating that in places large and small, rural and urban, people of all backgrounds are coming together to create stronger communities. It is a time to celebrate the shared values that unite us as neighbors, parents and colleagues, and to make our towns more welcoming to newcomers and to everyone who calls our community home.”

During Welcoming Week, the Freehold and Old Bridge branches will offer activities that are open to the public and include a citizenship information session presented by U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, a voter registration drive, a comparative religions presentation featuring a moderated panel of religious leaders, and cultural dance demonstrations. In addition, both branches will have open access to the community from 9:00am-12:00pm and 5:00-8:00pm daily. For a list of Welcoming Week events, visit ymcanj.org, or call 732.462.0464, ext. 132.

“These events are part of a powerful and growing movement in our country and around the world, demonstrating that communities want to be welcoming,” said Rachel Peric, Executive Director of Welcoming America. “Welcoming Week is a reminder of the resilient and inclusive spirit of American communities. Thousands of local leaders nationwide are bringing their communities together to bridge divides and build stronger local economies where everyone belongs.”

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About The YMCA of Western Monmouth County

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For over 120 years, the YMCA of Western Monmouth County has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting persona and social change. In 2017, the YMCA of Western Monmouth County provided over $395,000 in financial assistance to the children, families and seniors of our community. For more information, visit www.ymcanj.org.

About Welcoming America

Welcoming America is leading a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by making everyone who lives there feel like they belong. Welcoming America believes that all people, including immigrants, are valued contributors and vital to the success of both our communities and our shared future. www.welcomingamerica.org.