City Staff, Immigrant Service Providers Meet to Discuss Illinois TRUST Act
On Wednesday, January 15, staff with the Police, Legal, and Equity & Engagement Departments joined the New American Welcome Center to provide details on the Illinois TRUST Act, a 2018 law that governs how Illinois law enforcement engages with federal immigration authorities. Under the TRUST Act, law enforcement officials in Illinois are not allowed to […]
Welcoming Week Kickoff Event
On Friday, September 13, 2024, the community welcomed the second annual Welcoming Week Kickoff Event! Over 40 vendors and 600 people participated in the Welcoming Week Kick-Off Celebration where Mayor Feinen and Mayor Marlin read a proclamation designating Welcoming Week 2024. The theme for this year’s Welcoming Week is We’re All In! and the City […]
Welcoming Week 2024 | Get Involved!
Welcoming Week is a week of cultural celebration across the country! Welcoming Week 2024 is happening from September 13-22nd with numerous opportunities to get involved. Through Welcoming Week, communities come together to strengthen their bonds and promote a culture of inclusivity, underscoring the importance of embracing diversity for a brighter future. On Thursday, Sept 5, […]
Welcoming Plan ‘Thank You!’ Luncheon
On January 20, 2024 staff from the Equity and Engagement Department, in collaboration with the New American Welcome Center, hosted a ‘Thank You!” luncheon at the Illinois Terminal. This luncheon provided leaders, collaborators, and supporters of the Champaign County Welcoming Plan to come together and celebrate the milestones that have been reached thus far. With […]
Chambana Proud Podcast
The City of Champaign was recognized as a Certified Welcoming place by Welcoming America. Terri & Carly from Chambana Proud kicked off the new year talking with Rachel Joy from the City of Champaign and Akua Forkuo-Sekyere from the New American Welcome Center who were the driving forces behind the designation. This podcast aired on […]
Citizenship Fast Track Program
On December 9, 2023, staff from the Equity and Engagement Department assisted the New American Welcome Center (NAWC) in the final steps of their first Citizenship Fast-Track program. This intensive 10-day program was designed for community member seeking citizenship who were confident in their English skills. Through this program they learned about American history and […]
Welcoming Week Partner Thank You Reception
On October 24, 2023 the New American Welcome Center (NAWC) held their Welcoming Week Partner Thank You Reception. This event allowed all of the participants of Welcoming Week to come together in community and celebrate the success of the week. Champaign Police Chief and staff from the Equity and Engagement Department were in attendance. From […]
State Grant Awarded to Support Asylum Seekers in Champaign County
The City of Urbana, in partnership with the City of Champaign, The Refugee Center, New American Welcome Center, and Cunningham Township Supervisor’s Office, were awarded a $247,918 grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services to fund services to asylum seekers in Champaign County. Both Urbana and Champaign City Councils will review acceptance of these […]
Welcoming Week 2023!
On September 8 -17, 2023, Welcoming Week is celebrated across the county! Here in Champaign County, the New American Welcome Center’s coordinated nearly 30 events for foreign and native born community members to come together and celebrate the diversity of our community. These events included music/dance performances, ally training, arts education, entrepreneurship, cultural festivals and […]
Welcoming Week Joint Proclamation at the Kickoff Celebration
On September 8, 2023, Champaign County kicked off Welcoming Week in a big way! Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen and Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin came together to read the Welcoming Week Joint Proclamation during the Kickoff Celebration. This proclamation continues to show both Cities’ commitment to the inclusion and flourishing of our foreign born community members. This was […]