As a member of Welcoming America, Oakland County is participating in a movement of inclusive communities around the United States that believe when everyone feels safe and that they belong, then the community is more prosperous.
In April 2019, Commissioner William Miller delivered the very first Welcoming Resolution to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. This was a pivotal moment because it kicked off what was to become Welcoming Oakland, a consortium of agencies and organizations that operate in the immigrant and refugee space within the county. In early 2020, County Executive David Coulter directed the county to become a member of Welcoming America.
Welcoming Oakland’s roadmap for the county includes participation in Resilience and Emergency Management for Inclusive Communities seminars; working to fill food security needs in immigrant communities; translation assistance; and connecting immigrants in need with much-needed services in the county.
The roadmap to a more inclusive, welcoming, and safe Oakland County with access and open doors for everyone is never far from our hearts.
Welcoming Week Celebrations
Welcoming Week is a time to bring together organizations, communities and neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places. Honor the vast array of cultures that make up the fabric of our communities by attending a local Welcoming Week celebration below:
Oakland County Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sept. 16
Join Oakland County for a Welcoming Week Celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 16 at the Oakland County Farmers Market
Experience the heritage of the Hispanic community by visiting local vendors, watching a cooking demonstration, learning soccer skills and helping to break open a piñata.
This event is FREE and all are welcome. Meet community leaders from the Oakland County Executive Office, Board of Commissioners, Health Department, and Parks and Recreation. Connect with community partners from Centro Multicultural La Familia, La Casa Amiga, Gleaners Community Kitchen, and many others.
Free Oakland County Park Entry on Sept. 16 and 17
Get free park entry at any Oakland County Parks day-use park on Sept. 16-17 (Groveland Oaks excluded). Find a park near you at OaklandCountyParks.com.
Healthy Gardening Fair, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 16
Calling all chefs and food enthusiasts. Join the Together, We Cook Healthy Contest at the Association of Chinese Americans (ACA) Healthy Gardening Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 16 at the ACA Chinese Community Center in Madison Heights. The event is all about celebrating the richness of cultures, coming together, and embracing unity.
Walk with Amal at the Funky Ferndale Art Fair, 3:30-4:45 p.m. on Sept. 24
We are proud to be welcoming Amal to Ferndale during the Funky Ferndale Art Fair from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 24. Little Amal – whose name means ‘hope’ in Arabic – is a 12 foot puppet of a refugee Syrian child who has traveled to 13 countries.
She began her journey from the Syrian border and carries a message of hope for displaced people everywhere, especially children who have been separated from their families. Her urgent message is simple – “don’t forget us.”
Little Amal will lead a car parade that starts at 3:30 p.m. at Ferndale High School and head north to the art fair.
Follow along with the Welcoming Oakland initiative year round on the Oakland County Executive Office’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about the county’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: OakGov.com/Equity and contact Oakland County Community Liaison, Melanie Grund at grundm@oakgov.com for more information.
Follow along with Oakland County on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube using #OaklandCounty, or visit our website for news and events year-round.