Immigrant Welcome Award Ceremony and Celebration
The Cities of Champaign and Urbana, the CU Immigration Forum, and the Urbana Free Library are proud to co-sponsor the Immigrant Welcome Award Ceremony and Celebration. This event is held in conjunction with Welcoming Week, a national week of events that brings both immigrants and U.S.-born residents together in a spirit of unity and raises awareness of the benefits of fostering an inclusive society. In 2017, the Cities merged the Champaign-Urbana International Humanitarian Awards (CUIHA) with the Immigrant Welcome Award Ceremony, as a new collaborative way to celebrate the accomplishments of local residents and organizations who are positively impacting lives both here and around the world.
2022 Celebration
The 9th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony and Celebration was held at the Urbana Free Library on September 17, 2022. Attendees celebrated the diversity of cultures that make up our community with music and special guests. The event recognized the contributions of individuals and organizations that have created a welcoming atmosphere for immigrants in the Champaign-Urbana community.
2022 Immigrant Welcome Award Recipients
- Business Leadership Award – Flex-N-Gate
- Community Impact Award – Champaign County Board
- Community Impact Award – New American Welcome Center
- Immigrant Leadership Award – Mateo Sebastian
- Student Leadership Award – Ishita Dharap
- The Claire Szoke Lifetime of Service Award – Gloria Yen
Watch the 2022 Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony
