Welcoming Together - Fair & Panel!
Pacific Refugee Support Group (PRSG) is hosting Welcoming Week events in partnership with the City of Portland - Office of Community & Civic Life, WorldOregon, OK YOU, and Portland Center Stage (PCS) at the Armory where our festivities will take place.
Welcoming Week is an annual nationwide event celebrating immigrants and newcomers' achievements and contributions to the social fabric of the United States. PRSG’s Welcoming Week aims to bring together Portland's diverse communities promoting understanding and creating a welcoming atmosphere for all, especially for refugees and asylum seekers who now call Portland home.
Event Highlights:
Ceramics Exhibit (9/13-22): Throughout the week, we will feature a ceramics exhibit by Jenn DeMonte, a former PRSG volunteer and ceramic artist. Her works tell the unique stories of refugees through the medium of ceramics, offering a poignant and artistic exploration of their experiences.
Community Talent, Skill, and Business (9/18-19): Our community members, new or more established will showcase their talents, skills, and businesses. We plan to feature food vendors offering a variety of cuisines from different communities that PRSG directly supported as well as partner organizations. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy these diverse culinary experiences, enhancing their appreciation of different cultures.
Welcoming Selfie Contest and Raffle (9/18-19): Throughout the week, attendees can participate in a selfie contest with our 'I am a Welcomer' backdrop or enter a raffle to win exciting prizes and branded swag. These activities will encourage engagement and add an element of fun to the event.
Panel Discussion (9/19): Join our panelists as they explore work being done at the state, regional, and city levels, highlighting how grassroots organizations and initiatives are fostering a culture of belonging. The discussion will cover small victories and significant achievements, opportunities to advance immigrant-refugee policy, and ways citizens can support a welcoming community amid a polarizing upcoming election.
In line with this year's theme, 'We're All In,' we invite you to celebrate with us through art, music, and local eats from Portland's newcomer artists, chefs, and creators. Experience the vibrant contributions and thought leadership of our city's immigrants, non-immigrants, refugees, and newcomer communities.
For any PRSG Welcoming Week inquiries, please contact Sahar Wilson at sahar@pnwrsg.org.