Welcoming Week

Published On: August 7, 2024Categories: Blog, Events, Membership Benefits, News

During Welcoming Week, September 13-22, 2024, Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA joins Welcoming America, other YMCAs and organizations nationwide to celebrate immigrants’ contributions to communities and bring together all residents in a spirit of unity. Welcoming Week is an annual, non-partisan event that celebrates diversity and the community benefits of welcoming everyone and their contributions to the social fabric of the country. The event is an opportunity for neighbors—both immigrants and U.S.-born residents—to get to know one another and celebrate what unites people as a community.

How can you get involved? Here are a few activities!

  • Visit any of our Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA locations September 13-22 for fun, free events & activities:
    • Globally-inspired exercise classes like Bollywood Zumba & more! View the schedule or register for a class.
    • Take the “I’m a Welcomer” pledge
    • Pin your country of origin on our world maps located at every AMA YMCA location
    • Take a picture with our global flags decorating each branch and post on social! Be sure to tag us @amaymca and use hashtags #WelcomingWeek #YForAll

Curious and want to learn more? Start here.

2024 Welcoming Week Key Events

2nd Annual International Food Festival & Global Fashion Show
Celebrate & learn about the rich cultures represented in Arlington! New this year is a global fashion show featuring cultural dress from African, Native American, South Asian and Latin cultures. Click to see a video from last year’s event!
Saturday, September 21,11:00am-3:00pm at Cooper Street YMCA – RSVP and share our event on Facebook!
Free to the community

A huge thanks to our sponsors & restaurant partners who are contributing a tasting of their culture’s food! Click here or email us for sponsorship or vendor opportunities.
Sponsors: H-E-B, Texas Trust Credit Union and Market Street

Welcoming Week Panel Discussion: “Making Arlington Home” and Resource Fair
Learn about the services and resources available to newcomers to our community! Vendors will be on-site to answer questions and provide valuable information for our newest neighbors.
Saturday, September 21, 11:30am-12:30pm at Cooper Street YMCA – RSVP and share our event on Facebook!
Free to the community

Celebrating Welcoming Week in our YMCA Programs

Before & After School Care
All of our Before & After School program sites, housed in local schools throughout Arlington will be learning about different countries and recreating their flags with handprints! Countries and nations, and territories include: La Kota Tribe, Peru, Vietnam, Mexico, France, Japan, Canada, Costa Rica, Brazil, Ukraine, Kenya, Jamaica.

Child Watch While You Workout
At every YMCA Child Watch location, your child will create Tissue Paper Flags and hang them throughout Child Watch! Children can also take home their artwork if they wish. Other activities include a Flag Parade throughout branch, reading books about immigrants’ stories, and creating paper lanterns.

Youth International Soccer Leagues
Played in over 200 countries and territories, Soccer or “Fútbol” is considered the world’s most popular sport. With the FIFA World Cup™ coming to Arlington, Texas in 2026, the AMA YMCA has changed its look to an International-Themed Soccer League. Kids will have the opportunity to play on national teams like Vietnam, Germany, and Brazil sporting exclusive World Cup-style uniforms. Additionally, families will learn about the countries their teams represent and its’ influence in our local community. Check out a soccer game near you or volunteer to coach! Learn more.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?