Princeton Calls Inaugural Welcoming Week A Success

Princeton, NJ -- Princeton Human Services called its inaugural Welcoming Week a success “thanks to the many community partners and volunteers who contributed to its success during the weeklong events.”

Last year, Princeton joined Welcoming America, an organization dedicated to welcoming all people, immigrants, and non-immigrants.

The goal is to create welcoming and inclusive cities and towns by connecting leaders in community, government, and nonprofit sectors.

Welcoming America aims to change systems and cultures by helping create policies, reinforce welcoming principles, and communicate the socioeconomic benefits of inclusion.

“Welcoming Week was a tremendous success,” Princeton Human Services Executive Director Elisa Neira said in a statement from the town this week. “It not only made us reflect on our community and our sense of welcoming but also made us think of how we can improve. I enjoyed working with the many community partners, businesses, residents and volunteers. I strongly believe that the more people we invite to our table, the more successful our initiatives are and planning for welcoming week was a great example of that.”

The department thanked the Princeton Human Services Commission, Princeton Public Library, the Historical Society of Princeton, Shirley Satterfield, Access Princeton, YMCA, YWCA, Princeton Senior Resource Center, the Princeton School District, Princeton Rotary Club, Dorothea’s House, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Trinity Church, Crisis Ministry, Jewish Family and Children Services, Latin America Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Latin American Task Force and all residents that participated and supported the efforts.

“Welcoming Week was also made possible thanks to the students from Princeton High School and Stuart Country Day School,” the department said. “A special thanks to the restaurant owners that participated in the immigrant owned business interviews. It was a great way to find out inspiring stories from newcomers and highlight the contributions made by immigrants to our town. These stories will be available in the town’s website. We’d also like to thank the local media groups that helped us promote the events and also covered Welcoming Stories through their media outlets.

“This is truly a community effort to ensure that Princeton is a welcoming community to all people regardless of where they are from.”

For more information on how to participate for next year, contact the Human Services Office at 609-688-2055 or ENeira@princetonnj.gov.