Welcoming Washtenaw
Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development partnered with Welcoming America with Washtenaw County in 2016. The city of Ann Arbor launched a Welcoming America initiative to create communities committed to welcoming immigrants through immigrant-friendly policies, practices, and programs.
Washtenaw County and the city of An Arbor initially created this initiative to promote unity, acceptance, and respect for all persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, and religious affiliation. Washtenaw County Office of Economic and Development (OCED) created this initiative to bring together stakeholders from local nonprofits, businesses, education, and faith and cultural sectors to develop and implement strategies centered on three core areas of integration: civic, economic, and linguistic.
As part of this goal, OCED has developed a resource list to provide information on community resources and services for immigrants and refugees. The Welcoming Washtenaw website resource list will include resources for immigration concern, healthcare and wellbeing, health insurance, food, housing, and utility assistance, education and childcare, worker support and financial assistance, and status of immigration proceedings and enforcement.
About OCED: Washtenaw County is stronger when all people are able to fully participate in our community and economy. To that end, the Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) is committed to stepping out of traditional government roles to drive long-term system changes that increase equity and opportunity. Informed by data and resident voices, we deliver services, invest resources, shape public policy, lead initiatives, and amplify the impact of community partners to that end. https://www.washtenaw.org/569/Community-Economic-Development
About Welcoming America: Launched in 2009, Welcoming America is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to supporting the many diverse communities and partners leading efforts to make their communities more vibrant places for all. www.welcomingamerica.org/ Alongside Washtenaw County, other welcoming municipalities in Michigan include, Battle Creek, Flint, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Kalamazoo County, Wayne County, Macomb County, and Oakland County.