Celebrated each year in September, Welcoming Week elevates the growing movement of communities that fully embrace new Americans and their contributions to the social fabric of our country. It's a chance for neighbors — both immigrants and U.S.-born residents — to get to know one another and celebrate what unites us as a community.
The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh is for Everyone
In times of uncertainty, when many feel like they have nowhere to turn or struggle to find a place where they truly belong, the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh stands as a beacon of inclusivity and support. At the Y, we believe that everyone—no matter where they come from, what they believe, or who they are—deserves to feel safe, supported, and valued.
As a city of bridges, Pittsburgh thrives when we come together. The Y is more than a gym—it’s a place of connection, opportunity, and belonging. We are committed to ensuring that all individuals, including newcomers, have access to the resources and support they need to reach their full potential.
Welcoming Week at the Y is a celebration of our shared humanity, a time to build bridges between new Americans and their neighbors. Through community events, cultural experiences, and meaningful conversations, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening communities by ensuring that everyone has a place here.
Join us in transforming lives through belonging—because at the Y, you are always welcome.
YMCA OF GREATER PITTSBURGH - HOPE FOR ALL
Hope For All is a project of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh and YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh to connect households in the Pittsburgh area to benefit programs and other supportive services. The program is funded by a grant from the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
LITERACY PITTSBURGH
Immigrants and refugees often struggle to access vital services due to language and cultural barriers. Literacy Pittsburgh is making it easier for new immigrants to find the help and services they need. We provide service coordination and information, assistance, and referral support to immigrants and refugees who live in Allegheny County. Our Immigrant Services and Connections (ISAC) program is a multi-agency collaboration designed to connect immigrants to these important resources and services.
JFCS IMMIGRANT SERVICES
Those who have been forced to flee their homelands and who come to the United States through the federal refugee resettlement program seeking to build a new life receive assistance finding housing and work, and connecting to services.
ISAC IMMIGRANT SERVICES AND CONNECTIONS
ISAC is a five agency partnership headed by Jewish Family and Community Services, and all agencies are experts in serving the growing immigrant community. Partners include Casa San Jose (a program of the Sisters of St. Joseph), Literacy Pittsburgh, Latino Family Center of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, and South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM).
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As already mentioned, food is one thing that brings people together. Whether it’s for family gatherings, special occasions, or cultural celebrations, sharing a meal together as a family gathers everyone to the table and creates fellowship. With these family gatherings, how often do your kids get to help? Probably not often enough, if at all.
When you have family gatherings and the kids see everyone pitching in helping cook, they want to help too. They want to be part of that family dynamic. Parents tend to forget that kids need to feel a sense of purpose too, according to KQED News. Though they may be too young to do the actual cooking on the stove, it’s never too early to have them help out. Even if it’s just folding napkins or setting out the utensils, every action no matter how big or small will help kids feel included.
The fact that they want to help is all the more reason to get them started in the kitchen early, outside of big family gatherings. Doing this will allow you to teach them how to prepare and cook different foods. It will also give you the opportunity to have one-on-one time with them and teach them about the different cultural backgrounds behind the foods you cook.
MINESTRONE SOUP SHRIMP SALAD TACOS THAI CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS