Rochester kicks off Welcome Week

(ABC 6 News) – As part of the national Welcoming America Week, Rochester kicked off Welcoming Week on Sunday with its own event.

Welcoming Week is a week to bring together communities of all backgrounds. Sunday, members of different organizations gathered at 125 Live to introduce themselves to the community. Representatives from the Rochester Diversity Council, Rochester Public Schools, and Mayo Clinic were all there. Making sure residents new and old have the resources they need.

"I think these organizations really want to show they’re welcoming, they really want the new immigrants and newcomers, not only immigrants but anyone who is new to Rochester and Minnesota feel welcome," said Sylwia Bujak Oliver, the executive director at 125 Live.

Representatives from Mayo Clinic took the event as an opportunity to keep people informed about the healthcare options they have especially during the pandemic. "Well, we know that the pandemic has affected so many of us. Many of our minority communities have been affected way more. So it’s important to be here to ensure that they have resources," said Dr. Onelis Quirindongo-Cedeno who works in community internal medicine at Mayo Clinic.

Rochester will hold a number of events this week.

Gracious Hosting Training – *Virtual

Date/Time: Monday, September 13, 5:30-8 p.m.
Location: Register here: https://rochesterpubliclibrary.librarymarket.com/event/human-library-6
Details: The Human Library of Southeastern Minnesota educates people using human experience, cultivating empathy in such a manner that differences, barriers, and prejudice fall away – we expose and nurture the spirit of humankind by building common understanding and connections.

Belonging Begins with Us: Why and How of Welcoming New Neighbors – *Virtual

Date/Time: Tuesday, September 14, 9-10:30 a.m.
Location: Zoom – Meeting registration
Details: Join SE MN Together as Laura Bordelon with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce shares findings from a report on the economic impact of immigrants in Minnesota, conducted by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Foundation with support from the McKnight Foundation. Katie Van Eijl from Project Fine will share highlights of initiatives underway in Winona and St. Charles to proactively welcome and engage newcomers, particularly immigrants.

Human Library at the Rochester Public Library

Date/Time: Tuesday, September 14, 5-7 p.m.
Location: 101 2nd St. SE, Rochester, MN
Details: The Human Library of Southeastern Minnesota educates people using human experience, cultivating empathy in such a manner that differences, barriers, and prejudice fall away – we expose and nurture the spirit of humankind by building common understanding and connections.

Citizenship Day Celebration at the Olmsted County Government Center

Date/Time: Friday, September 17, 2021, 4:30-6 p.m.
Location: 151 4th St. SE, Rochester, MN
Details: Join Olmsted County and Rochester City Officials to celebrate Citizenship and Constitution Day and recognize those who have recently become naturalized citizens. Cake and coffee will be provided.

The Village’s FarmFest

Date/Time: Saturday, September 18, 12-4 p.m.
Location: The Village Community Garden, Rochester Covenant Church, 4950 31st Ave. NW, Rochester, MN
Details: Join us for this year’s Food, Art, Recreation, and Music (FARM) Fest as we celebrate the 2021 harvest. Guests can enjoy a silent auction, a multicultural collaboration of artists, cooks, musicians, and more! See (and taste!) foods from all over the world, grown right here in Rochester at The Village Community Garden!

The Night Market at the Rochester Art Center

Date/Time: Saturday, September 18, 5-9 p.m.
Location: 40 Civic Center Dr. SE, Rochester, MN
Details: Night Markets are a part of daily life and entertainment across Asia, and we’re bringing it to Rochester! (Mayo Civic Center Riverfront Plaza + Rochester Art Center). Enjoy a night outdoors filled with food, boba tea, games, arts, handmade products, and fresh produce, with a strong emphasis on Asian and BIPOC vendors.

*Please Note: Olmsted County Public Health Services recommends attendees wear facial coverings for indoor events, regardless of vaccination status, and maintain six feet of physical distancing for indoor and outdoor events.