This Welcoming Week (September 14-22), the Kishwaukee Family YMCA will join Welcoming America and other YMCAs and organizations nationwide to celebrate immigrants’ contributions to communities and bring together all residents in a spirit of unity. Each year, Welcoming Week brings together immigrants and U.S.-born residents to promote cross-cultural understanding and raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone. This is the first year the Y will celebrate Welcoming Week with its community. To ensure the safety and participation of all, the Y’s 2020 Welcoming Week events will be physically distanced.
During Welcoming Week, the Kishwaukee Family YMCA will host the following events: Events are open to YMCA Members and the community.
September 14-September 22
Try the Y Week:
Have you considered a YMCA Membership, or do you know someone who might enjoy being a member? During Welcoming Week, we are inviting the community to Try the Y Free of charge. Photo Id and a mask are required for entry.
September 14, 2020
Welcome Walk
4:30pm-5:30pm
Join us for a 1-mile family-friendly community walk to celebrate our immigrant and refugee community members. Walk anytime between 4:30pm-5:30pm. This walk is free and open to the community. Registration is required. This will be a safe, socially distant walk. Masks are required for check-in. To register please visit www.kishymca.org/welcoming-week
Outdoor Community Zumba
5:30pm-6:15pm
Stay for our outdoor Community Zumba party! Zumba runs 5:30pm-6:15pm. Zumba is free and open to the community. Registration is required. Masks are required for check-in.
To register please visit www.kishymca.org/welcoming-week
Celebrating Culture Coloring Contest
Children and Adults can pick up the coloring sheet at the YMCA front desk or visit www.kishymca.org/welcoming-week to download and print a copy of the coloring sheet. Entries can be returned to the front desk by Friday, September 18. The winners of each age group will be selected and announced on September 21.
September 17, 2020
Citizenship Day Celebration: 9/17
Map your origin! We will display an interactive map where members and visitors can place a small dot on their country of origin to showcase our diverse population. Maps will be displayed from September 17-22 at the YMCA Front Desk.
September 19, 2020
Outdoor Goat Yoga
12:00pm-1:00pm
We are excited to partner with Live Learn and Lead to present Goat Yoga for a Cause! Proceeds from the event support Live Learn & Lead: A vocational farm program for individuals with intellectual disabilities and the Kishwaukee Family YMCA scholarship fund for programs and membership. *registration is required Fee: $30 To register please visit www.kishymca.org/welcoming-week
September 22, 2020
National Voter Registration Day:
Exercise your rights! Register to vote on Tuesday, September 22nd for National Voter Registration Day. We will be hosting a virtual registration event on Facebook to encourage citizens to register to vote.
For more information please contact Casey Martinez, Community Engagement Coordinator at caseym@kishymca.org or call 815.375.5392