From September 12-21, 2025, Welcoming Fort Wayne, an initiative of Amani Family Services, celebrates Welcoming Week, an annual campaign that invites communities around the globe to host events that deepen understanding and connection among community members. This year, Amani and our partners will host seven Welcoming events across Fort Wayne and Allen County, including a multicultural festival, workshops on civil literacy and communicating across differences, legal consultations, and family-friendly activities. The week will culminate in the Welcoming Fort Wayne Awards, which celebrate the achievements of individuals and organizations who have dedicated themselves to creating a more welcoming community.
Culture Fest: A Gathering of Neighbors
Saturday, September 13, 2025
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Foellinger Foundation at the corner of Clay & Berry St
A free multicultural festival celebrating and connecting Allen County’s diverse communities with live music and dance, an artisan and entrepreneur market, resource fair, food trucks, and children’s activities.
This Welcoming Week kickoff event is presented by Arts United, NiSource Charitable Foundation, and NIPSCO through the Community Connections: Southeast Arts Project Grant. The event is hosted by Amani Family Services, Cinema Center, Foellinger Foundation, and Heartland Sings.
RSVP today: https://www.facebook.com/share/19YQDW9MPE/
Bridging Differences
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
2:00 to 3:30 PM
Allen County Public Library – Main Branch
Join Allen County Public Library’s One County, One Book community-wide reading initiative for a special workshop teaching welcoming through conversation. During this training, participants will:
Reflect on what makes challenging conversations productive.
Practice perspective-seeking.
Identify strategies and tools that build bridges.
Free with registration: https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14111445
Ask An Attorney
Wednesday, September 17
2:00 to 4:00 PM
Trinity English Lutheran Church
Join the Northeast Indiana Immigration Network, Amani’s Naturalization and Legal Assistance Program (NALA) and Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana (VLP) for this free event with 15-minute legal consultations and community resources. The Immigration Network is made up of the following community partners: Amani Family Services, St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, Catholic Charities, and International House.
Visit our website for updates on registration details: https://amanifamilyservices.org/welcoming-week
Welcome to ACPL
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Allen County Public Library – Main branch
Join Allen County Public Library for a bilingual tour of their downtown location, including their world-renowned Geneology Center.
Free with registration: https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14392766
Together Con Mi Familia
Thursday, September 18
5:00 to 7:00 PM
1313 W Washington Center Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Join Center for Nonviolence for a FREE evening event created for Spanish-speaking families to connect, reflect, and recharge. Discover local resources and explore family roles and support systems while your kids enjoy engaging activities. End the night with a calming family meditation. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is encouraged; walk-ins are welcome.
Visit the event page for details and how to register: https://www.facebook.com/share/171vAXzg2q/
Welcoming Fort Wayne Awards
Friday, September 19
8:30 to 10:30 AM
Purdue Fort Wayne (International Ballroom)
Walb Student Union, Union Cir Dr, Fort Wayne, IN 46815
The 2025 Welcoming Fort Wayne Awards celebrate the achievements of exceptional immigrants and refugees, native community individuals, organizations and companies that have demonstrated a strong commitment to multiculturalism, and others who have shown dedication to creating a welcoming community. This free event is made possible by the support of our presenting sponsor Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, our advocate sponsors Arts United, NIPSCO/NiSource Charitable Foundation, and Bowen Health.
Free with registration: https://welcomingfw25.givesmart.com/
Welcoming Civics Lab
Saturday, September 20, 2025
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tall Rabbit Café + Community
2011 Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Join Fuerza Unida, League of Women Voters FW, and MADVoters for a crash course in civics literacy through a free interactive workshop. Visit our website for more details: https://amanifamilyservices.org/welcoming-week
Additional Information
Everyone in Allen County wants to feel supported and truly welcomed by neighbors and the larger community. That kind of support takes effort and an ongoing commitment to foster a sense of belonging and community-wide connection. Welcoming Week is where this commitment can start.
To stay up to date on all Welcoming Week activities, visit our website at https://amanifamilyservices.org/welcoming-week or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
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About Amani Family Services
Amani is the only local organization entirely devoted to promoting the well-being of non-English speaking families through community-based counseling and casework, with the purpose of facilitating the healing of immigrants and refugees who have experienced maltreatment and violence and preventing incidents of family violence. Amani has cared for families since 2006, serving over 2000 individuals and families each year.
Amani is also home to the Naturalization and Legal Assistance (NALA) program and the Welcoming Fort Wayne initiative, expanding its efforts to foster inclusion, belonging, and civic engagement among immigrant and refugee communities.
About Welcoming Week
Welcoming Week is an annual campaign and celebration to showcase the movement of communities striving to be more welcoming places for all, including immigrants. Launched in 2012 by Welcoming America and its members, Welcoming Week provides individuals and communities the opportunity to proclaim welcoming values through events and local initiatives that foster mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants, as well as deeper belonging for all.
About Welcoming America
Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. Through the Welcoming Network, we work to change systems and culture by providing communities with the roadmap they need to create welcoming policies and share new approaches to inclusion to create an environment where everyone can truly thrive. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org.
Media Contact:
Rui Gui
Welcoming Initiatives Coordinator
ruigui@amanifamilyservices.org
260-484-1414 ext. 520