Welcoming Week
Welcoming Week brings everyone together in a spirit of unity, celebrating the variety of unique backgrounds and heritage in our communities. The event is an opportunity for members to get to know their neighbors and celebrate what unites people as a community.
WELCOMING WEEK ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Event: Intro to Learn French
Date: Friday, September 12
Time: 4 PM
Description: Volunteer teachers from Rocheambeau French School will lead a beginner’s French class.
Event: Show Us Your Country of Origin
Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: All Day
Description: Stop by the lobby to share your country of origin with the community.
Event: Welcoming Week Highlighting Zumba Dance
Date: Sunday, September 14
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Event: Welcoming Week Highlighting Aqua Zumba
Date: Monday, September 15
Time: 9 AM – 10 AM
Event: Intro to Learn French (Second Session)
Date: Tuesday, September 16
Time: 5 PM
Description: Another opportunity to learn beginner’s French from volunteer teachers at Rocheambeau French School.
Event: Intro to Learn Spanish
Date: Wednesday, September 17
Time: TBD
Description: Learn basic Spanish in a welcoming environment.
Event: Outdoor Yoga at The Y
Date: Thursday, September 18
Time: 10 AM – 11 AM
Description: 10 AM – Family Yoga | 10:30 AM – All Levels Yoga. Book reading by Butterfly Books.
Event: Welcoming Week Kickoff Open House
Date: Friday, September 12
Time: All Day
Description: Join us for a day of community and connection as we kick off Welcoming Week with activities, tours, and fun for the whole family.
Event: “Around the World” Potluck
Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 12 PM – 2 PM
Description: Bring a dish that represents your culture or heritage to share with your neighbors. Enjoy food from around the globe and celebrate the diversity of our community.
Event: World Music Dance Party
Date: Sunday, September 14
Time: 3 PM – 5 PM
Description: Dance to music from around the world, featuring rhythms and beats representing cultures far and wide.
Event: Multilingual Storytime
Date: Monday, September 15
Time: 10 AM – 11 AM
Description: Enjoy stories read in different languages by volunteer readers. A great event for kids and families to experience languages from around the world.
Event: Community Yoga & Meditation
Date: Tuesday, September 16
Time: 6 PM – 7 PM
Description: A relaxing session of yoga and meditation, open to all levels. Bring a mat and unwind as we practice mindfulness together.
Event: International Games Day
Date: Wednesday, September 17
Time: 4 PM – 6 PM
Description: Try games and sports from different countries—fun for kids, teens, and adults.
Event: Cultural Arts & Crafts
Date: Thursday, September 18
Time: 3 PM – 5 PM
Description: Get creative with arts and crafts inspired by cultures around the world. Kids will love making their own cultural keepsakes.
Event: Community Celebration & Resource Fair
Date: Friday, September 19
Time: 5 PM – 7 PM
Description: End Welcoming Week with a celebration featuring food, music, performances, and resource tables from local organizations.
Details: Free and open to the entire community.
Event: Branch Open House
Date: Friday, September 12
Time: All Day
Description: Explore group exercise classes, rec swim, lap swim, open gym, pickleball/tennis courts, free weights, and more.
Event: “Flavors of the World”
Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: 12 PM – 2 PM
Description: Share the name of a traditional dish that holds a special place in your heart or represents your culture.
Event: “We Are the World”
Date: Sunday, September 14
Time: 2 PM – 4 PM
Description: Join us in the lobby to share your favorite song from your country.
Event: World Wardrobe Day
Date: Monday, September 15
Time: All Day
Description: Celebrate diversity by wearing traditional or cultural attire from your heritage or a culture you admire.
Event: Jersey Day: Sports Across Borders
Date: Tuesday, September 16
Time: All Day
Description: Wear a jersey representing your hometown or an international athlete you admire.
Event: Community Resource Event
Date: Wednesday, September 17
Time: 5 PM – 7 PM
Description: At New Hampshire Estates Elementary School with Youth & Family Services. Enjoy food, music, games, face painting, and resource tables.
Event: Welcoming Week Announcement
Date: Friday, September 12
Time: During School Day
Description: YMCA staff will announce Welcoming Week at all school sites and distribute flyers after school.
Event: Where I Am From
Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: All Day
Description: Students place stickers on a world map to show where they are from. Group photo will be taken.
Event: Rep My Flag
Date: Sunday, September 14
Time: All Day
Description: Students draw their country’s flag using provided materials. Flags will be displayed at the site.
Event: For All
Date: Monday, September 15
Time: All Day
Description: Students create a rainbow mural with handprints, writing “Welcome” in their language under the rainbow.
Event: Be Proud, Be Loud
Date: Tuesday, September 16
Time: All Day
Description: Students and staff wear shirts or jerseys from their country and write what they love about their culture or team.
Event: Welcoming Resource Event
Date: Wednesday, September 17
Time: 5 PM – 7 PM
Description: At New Hampshire Estates Elementary School. Enjoy games, arts & crafts, music, food trucks, and vendors.
Event: Anthony Bowen History Video
Date: Friday, September 12
Time: All Day
Description: A YouTube video highlighting the history of Anthony Bowen will run throughout the day.
Event: Open House / Artist Talk
Date: Saturday, September 13
Time: All Day | Artist Talk: 3 PM – 6 PM
Description: Enjoy the Open House and join the Artist Talk session to learn about local art and culture.
Event: Favorite Jersey of Your Favorite Team Sport
Date: Sunday, September 14
Time: All Day
Description: Wear your favorite sports jersey! The best jersey by vote will win a door prize.
Event: New Member Welcome Day (Best Start Package)
Date: Monday, September 15
Time: 10 AM – 4 PM
Description: Floor coaches and trainers will talk about the Best Start Package for new members.
Event: Donation Day (Support Your Favorite Cause)
Date: Tuesday, September 16
Time: 4 PM – 7 PM
Description: Guests and members can donate to their favorite cause and choose where their support goes.
Event: Wellness Day (BP Screening / BMI Check)
Date: Wednesday, September 17
Time: All Day
Description: Participate in blood pressure and BMI checks for free as part of our wellness initiative.
Event: Appreciation Day (Light Snacks)
Date: Thursday, September 18
Time: All Day
Description: Stop by for light snacks as we show appreciation to our members and guests.
Event: HARD HITT BOXING
Date: Friday, September 19
Time: 10 AM – 10:55 AM
Description: A high-energy boxing workout led by Instructor Harold.
Event: Hispanic Heritage Table
Date: Saturday, September 20
Time: All Day
Description: Learn about Hispanic history and culture at our educational table.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
About the Y
Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community for more than 175 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide.
About Welcoming Week
Welcoming Week is an annual celebration that showcases the movement of communities striving to be welcoming places for all. Launched in 2012, Welcoming Week provides individuals and communities the opportunity to proclaim welcoming values through events and local initiatives that foster mutual understanding and deeper belonging for all.
