Nola Reporter

NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans today announced that Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, has designated New Orleans as a Certified Welcoming place and is the first city in the State of Louisiana to achieve this designation.

“New Orleans has historically been a welcoming hub for various visitors and a home to a diverse immigrant population,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “The work to become 'Certified Welcoming' builds upon the resolution I passed as a City Councilmember in 2015 to make New Orleans a Welcoming City. Openly celebrating and embracing diversity has been a part of my mission, not only because everyone matters, but also because that is what makes up the beautiful fabric of our city. With the certification from Welcoming America, we are continuing the path to becoming a more inclusive city for immigrants and refugees, and we will further strengthen our goals of becoming a safe, equitable and welcoming community for all.” 

Certified Welcoming is a formal designation by Welcoming America for local governments that have created policies and programs reflecting their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion. This innovative program assesses local governments on their efforts to include and welcome immigrants in all areas of civic, social and economic life in their communities. With a Certified Welcoming designation, communities distinguish their local efforts, build a competitive advantage and gain access to opportunities to share their welcoming practices on a regional, national and global stage.

The Mayor’s Office of Human Rights & Equity (OHRE) has led the certification process through Welcoming America and in partnership with several community organizations and leaders to obtain this certification, including, but not limited to, Home is Here NOLA, ElCentroLA, the New Neighbor Project and Familias Unidas en Acción. There were several City departments that also contributed to the audit and certification, including the Mayor's Office of Youth and Families, New Orleans Public Library and Office of Cultural Economy.

“As a daughter of an immigrant mother, I am thrilled to be part of a city striving to be a welcoming city to all,” said OHRE Director Kahlida Lloyd. “The Office of Human Rights and Equity is proud to be leading the work of welcoming immigrants and refugees to our city alongside outstanding, resourceful and dedicated community partners.”

“We are supportive of and encouraged by the city’s commitment to this rigorous process to support immigrant community members and equitable community-building for all in New Orleans,” said Home is Here NOLA Co-Director Julie Yael Ward.

“Becoming a Certified Welcoming City means that New Orleans is where Latino-owned businesses are supported and encouraged to pursue the American dream of financial stability through entrepreneurship, regardless of immigration status,” said ElCentroLA Executive Director Lindsey Navarro. “As the fastest-growing small business group in the United States, Latinos have the potential to fuel the New Orleans economy through entrepreneurship and job creation. Kudos to the City of New Orleans for leading the charge in Louisiana towards building a welcoming place for all.”

“We are so appreciative of the work the City is doing, and it truly means a lot to us,” said New Neighbor Project Founder and Executive Director Amy Dudgeon. “By being a part of a Certified Welcoming City, the refugees and immigrants who are served by the New Neighbor Project feel included, heard and welcomed into their new neighborhoods and our city. It fosters unity and provides our students with a sense of welcoming and belonging. It allows our students to feel comfortable accessing the services they need and to feel like included members of our community.”

New Orleans is one of 19 cities and counties in the United States that has received this formal designation. In Welcoming America’s audit, they noted that the City of New Orleans demonstrated a “clear commitment to building a welcoming infrastructure” and creativity in program development and services. Welcoming America also recognized the City’s strong community partnerships that support and welcome immigrants and refugees. In addition to being the first city in Louisiana to achieve the Certified Welcoming designation, New Orleans is also the first to achieve it under the new star system implemented by Welcoming America earlier this year, making the City the first 1-star Certified Welcoming city.

"We are thrilled to recognize New Orleans in becoming a Certified Welcoming place, affirming its leadership in building policies and partnerships that enable all those making the city home — including people with immigrant and refugee backgrounds — to thrive and belong,” said Welcoming America Executive Director Rachel Perić. “As the first city in Louisiana to receive the designation, and the 19th in the nation, we look forward to celebrating and supporting the people of New Orleans and its leadership in continuing to build on ongoing efforts to make the city a welcoming place for all."

On Saturday, Oct. 14, Mayor Cantrell will join students of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and community leaders and partners in a walk welcoming Little Amal and publicly announcing that the City of New Orleans is Certified Welcoming at the Lafitte Greenway Plaza. Little Amal is a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child that has become a symbol of human rights globally and has toured multiple welcoming cities. More information on Little Amal and The Walk can be found here.

Original source can be found here.