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2021 Welcome Week

September 01, 2021

The Greater Waterbury YMCA Celebrates Welcoming Week and Reminds the Greater Waterbury area That Belonging Begins With Us.

 

Waterbury, CT-- 09.03.2021—This Welcoming Week (September 10-19), The Greater Waterbury YMCA will join Welcoming America, 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 elevates the growing movement of communities that fully embrace new Americans and their contributions to the country's social fabric. The event is an opportunity for neighbors—both immigrants and U.S.-born residents—to get to know one another and celebrate what unites people as a community.

 

“This year, we’re reminding our community that “Belonging Begins with Us,” says Jim O'Rourke, CEO of the Greater Waterbury YMCA. “Whether it’s starting a new job, moving to a new neighborhood, or starting a new school, we’ve all had moments where we felt like we didn’t belong. It’s a universal feeling that we all can relate to—but for people who move to this country experiencing language barriers, cultural differences, and more, feeling excluded can take years to overcome. We all have the power to help others feel they belong; each of us can help others, regardless of their background, feel like they are seen, embraced, welcomed, and included in our community.”

 

During Welcoming Week, the Greater Waterbury YMCA will host:

  •  Friday, September 10, 2021

 

 

Teen Night
The Greater Waterbury YMCA will start Welcome Week with teen nights at the Y. Must be 18 and under & in high school or middle school. Teen night allows any teen with $3 to come into the Y without a membership
6pm-9pm
  • Saturday, September 11, 2021

 

Open Swim in Large Pool
Open Swim will be open for all ages in the large pool. Must pass a swim test to be able to use the pool!

12:30pm-2:30pm
  • Sunday, September 12, 2021

 

Open House at the Y.
We welcome all our community members into the YMCA. All can come in and use our facility for free. Must bring a driver's license or state ID to come into the Y. 

All Day
  • Monday, September 13, 2021

 

Fairytale Fruits in the Lobby.
We will have fruits from around the world in the lobby *All Day* (until supplies last). We will have a display that will showcase where the fruit originated from!

All Day
  • Tuesday, September 14, 2021

 

International Tea & Coffee Tasting in the Lobby.
We will be showcasing different teas & coffee from around the world. 

10am - 11am & 4pm - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, September 15, 2021
    Hispanic Heritage Month Begins





     

Henna with Alisa
Come and get Henna done at the Y! Get a beautiful design done by one of our staff done for free!  

5pm - 7pm

 

Zumba with Winnie
Exercise and have fun with different music from around the world. Get that heart pumping with some bachata, merengue, reggeaton, and much more!
  • Thursday, September 16, 2021
    Mexico Independence Day

 

 

Pinata on the Playground
Our School Readiness Classrooms will be breaking a pinata in honor of Mexican Independence Day.

DIY Rain Sticks & Drum Sticks
Our School-Age Child Care program will be making Rainsticks and Drum sticks and being taught what it means to some cultures. 
  • Friday, September 17, 2021

 

 

Henna with Alisa
Come and get Henna done at the Y! Get a beautiful design done by one of our staff done for free! 

12pm - 2pm
  • Saturday, September 18, 2021

 

 

Open Swim in Large Pool
Open Swim will be open for all ages in the large pool. Must pass a swim test to be able to use the pool!

12:30pm-2:30pm

During the week...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our social media

  • Read Around the World
    Every day a preschool classroom teacher will be reading a book.
  • International Cook Book
    Members of the Y will be able to share their recipes. We will share the recipes in a digital cookbook on our website at the end of Welcome Week!
  • Member Mapping
    All Members, Staff & Visitors will be able to put where they are from! So we can see how many members we have from different parts of the World!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions about Welcome Week?
Contact Kristen Jones Diversity Inclusion Global Engagement Committee Chair at kjones@waterburyymca.org. 

 

Would you like to sponsor an event for us?

Contact Allison Reklaitis at areklaitis@waterburyymca.org.