Welcoming Week 2024, September 13 to 24, provides opportunities for people around the country to participate in local festivals, potlucks, concerts, discussions, and other events that celebrate the idea of building connections between immigrant newcomers and long-time residents of a community. And while helping immigrants and refugees is a value that many share, the welcoming philosophy is grounded in the idea of mutual benefit. Newcomers, whether they are from the next state or the next country, and long-time residents of a town or city, can learn from and support each other, building personal connections that strengthen communities.
Welcoming is infused throughout KIND’s work. Step into KIND’s offices around the country and the first thing you will see is a joyful reception space filled with color and books and toys to help unaccompanied children feel supported and comfortable as they face the daunting task of meeting their attorney. Step further into the office, and you will often find children’s drawings and child-friendly pictures on the walls and more books and snacks. Many offices have a corner or a converted office that serves as a supply closet, with everything from diapers and clothes to school supplies for families and sponsors, donated by KIND volunteers or purchased by staff. KIND’s back-to-school events, organized by our social services teams, are a highlight of the fall, combining distribution of backpacks and other supplies with resource fairs and fun and informational activities.
The effort to create a physically welcoming space is integral to the child-centered, trauma-informed approach to legal and psychosocial services practiced in our offices. Creating a safe and child-friendly space is not just a feel-good opportunity, but a vital component of encouraging a child to feel safe enough to trust and open up to their KIND team, and to feel supported as they recount the often traumatic and violent events that led them to the United States.
Welcoming is integral to providing quality legal and psychosocial services.
That is why KIND champions policies that would require the immigration system to adapt to children, rather than forcing children to navigate a system meant for adults. It is reflected in the policies underlying our Keeping Kids Safe Campaign, which leads with the idea that children are children first. The campaign is working to build a safe space for conversation and action in support of unaccompanied children, while promoting allied policy changes in health, education, and child welfare that would benefit all children.
And it is why KIND champions the Immigration Court Efficiency and Children’s Court Act, which would create separate children’s courts that are conducted with a child’s best interests in mind.
We believe there will come a time when all aspects of immigration law that touch a child’s life can be re-imagined under a framework that puts children’s needs first, irrespective of immigration status.
KIND’s welcoming efforts are grounded in and grow from experiences within KIND’s offices every day. Recognizing that increasing numbers of newcomers are entering classrooms around the country, we recently created a resource that offers six practical steps to support these new students, as well as all children who are new to a school.
We are putting out the welcome mat—we hope you will join us.
Join us in Keeping Kids Safe and learn more about our campaign.
