The City of Champaign and the University YMCA New American Welcome Center co-hosted the Welcoming Week Kick off on September 13, 2019 in the parking lot in front of the Orpheum Children’s Museum in Downtown Champaign. Attendees heard upbeat performances from Abraham Mellish and Jean-Rene Balekita and Bomoyi Ministries. Welcoming Week is a nationwide celebration that brings together immigrants and U.S.-born community members to get to know one another and build community. Welcoming Week events are being held September 13-22, 2019. For the schedule of Welcoming Week events, visit universityymca.org/welcome/ww19.