Scenes from Welcome to Juanita 2018

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion in Juanita

By Samuel Rodriguez , Founder of BizDiversity

The Juanita Neighborhood association sponsored the annual free Welcome to Juanita event on September 15th at the Edith Moulton Park in Kirkland. The event encouraged action on set of principles to build inclusive, welcoming communities that allow all residents to thrive and advance integration efforts in three core areas: civic, economic, and linguistic integration and was part of broader Welcoming Week.

Welcome to Juanita 2018 wideshot at Edith Moulton Park in Kirkland, WA on September 15, 2018

Welcome to Juanita came about following the formation of a White House task force in September 2015
that launched the Building Welcoming Communities Campaign (BWCC) to encourage local communities to engage in local immigrant integration efforts, in partnership with Welcoming America, a national non-profit organization with expertise in welcoming efforts.

ESL Culture Coach Larissa Chuprina shows Welcome Eastside Center Ad in front of BizDiversity display at Welcome to Juanita 2018 at Edith Moulton Park in Kirkland, WA on September 15, 2018

This year’s event took place outdoors at the Edith Moulton Park in Kirkland, Washington on September 15th.

More than 30 businesses took part in the annual event which included tables with information and representatives to learn about area services including but not limited to the following:

  • Help for small businesses
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Voter Registration
  • Information about English as a Second Language classes
  • Citizenship Classes
  • ESL Tutoring and cultural support
  • Home loans and creating credit
  • Educational and career opportunities
  • Hall of Fame: Stories of successful Juanita immigrants

The event also included Free food and entertainment.