Moving to a new country can be both exciting and scary. It presents a myriad of challenges for those just learning to navigate everyday life in an unfamiliar place.
That’s one of the reasons Global Cleveland hosts its Welcoming Week, a series of events designed to help immigrants settle into a new life here.
But make no mistake: Welcoming Week is not just for immigrants, explained Zachary Nelson, Director of Programming for Global Cleveland.
“We want the wider Cleveland community to come to as many events as possible and learn,” he said. “We want the already-engaged community to come in and re-engage, and we want the international community to come in and see that this city welcomes you, that this city wants you here.”
‘From newcomers to nation builders’
Global Cleveland’s Welcoming Week starts this Friday, Sept. 11. The week kicks off with “America 250: From Newcomers to Nation Builders,” a panel discussion highlighting the accomplishments and contributions made to Cleveland’s history and identity by immigrant populations.
Representatives from Cleveland’s older immigrant communities, like the Irish and the Italians, will join more recent newcomers, like the Congolese, to discuss how immigrants have shaped Greater Cleveland area and continue to do so today.
“We want the panel discussion to be about what it’s like to build a community, what it’s like to hold on to the legacy of a community that was built 200 years ago, what it’s like to build a brand new community, and what you can learn from the more established communities,” said Nelson.
Another panel discussion on Friday, Sept. 18, will focus on Cleveland as a welcoming and globally connected city for international business and investment opportunities. Representatives include the honorary consuls of various countries . They will talk about sister-city relationships and building businesses abroad and bringing them to Cleveland.
International Job and Resource Fair
Global Cleveland also will host an International Job and Resource Fair at the Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Parma-Snow Branch on Monday, Sept. 14.
Job-seekers are invited to attend and meet with local employers and to learn about other resources available to immigrants looking for work in and around Cleveland.
New to Global Cleveland’s Job and Resource Fair this year is a session offering professional headshots and resume preparation for international professionals.
Volunteers will be on hand to look over resumes and give edits and recommendations for free, Nelson said. Professional headshots will be available to attendees at no cost.
“A professional image online is very important,” said Nelson, “and we want job seekers of all kinds.… If they haven’t had a chance to get a headshot session, it can be quite an expensive moment. They [can] have their professional headshots ready, they have their resume ready, they can be more confident walking in to talk with employers.”
Global Cleveland’s Welcoming Week for international newcomers runs from this Friday, Sept. 11, through Saturday, Sept. 19. For more information, visit their website.
