East Providence Passes Welcoming Resolution

The City of East Providence, Rhode Island has become the latest city to declare itself “welcoming”. In a vote passed unanimously on January 3rd by the East Providence City Council, local elected officials adopted a welcoming resolution which states that the city is “committed to continue building a neighborly and welcoming atmosphere in our community where all are welcome, accepted and appreciated.”

The resolution also announces the City of East Providence’s partnership with Welcoming Rhode Island, a new, cutting-edge community based initiative sponsored by the International Institute of Rhode Island. The goal of the initiative is to create a more welcoming atmosphere where foreign-born individuals can thrive and become well-respected, integrated members of their communities. This initiative is not policy-orientated, but focused on grassroots public engagement, outreach and strategic communications to create a stronger state.

Welcoming Rhode Island is an affiliate of Welcoming America. There are currently 18 other states across the country that are affiliates of the national organization, from Nebraska to South Carolina. Most recently, the White House recognized Welcoming America and its affiliates for the work they are doing around the country which is at the forefront of helping America’s communities to be globally competitive and welcoming places for all people to live and work.

Welcoming Rhode Island is guided by a 35 member advisory committee to which Governor Lincoln Chafee is the Honorary Chair. Currently, the East Providence subcommittee is forming and State Representative Helio Melo has recently joined in support of the initiative.

East Providence joins with communities in Alabama, Idaho, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Oregon, who have passed resolutions that declare their communities welcoming or “immigrant friendly.”

To view the full resolution and watch a video clip of the event, visit the Welcoming Rhode Island blog at http://welcomingri.tumblr.com/.

For more information or to get involved with Welcoming Rhode Island, contact Michelle DePlante at (401) 784-8644 or mdeplante@iiri.org.

International Institute Rhode Island, founded in 1921, is an independent non-profit agency serving immigrant, refugee, and native-born individuals and families. Our mission is to enable all area residents, especially immigrants and refugees, to become self-reliant, invested participants in our communities, while fostering respect and understanding among all people.