Glenwood’s Welcoming Week has been set for Sept. 8-17, it was announced last week. 

The Welcoming Week celebration brings together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong communities and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity.  As our community looks ahead to grow both economically and socially, providing a welcoming, safe space for all newcomers is vital.

Welcoming America was introduced to Kay Blauert, Welcome Center Executive Director in 2022, through Rick Schara of Live Wide Open, West Central Initiative.  After learning about welcoming America and Welcoming Week, she wanted to participate and applied for grant funding. The grant was approved and she began planning with her advisory committee and community businesses.

“It’s so important when coming to a new community that you feel welcomed and that you belong,” stated Blauert.  It’s easy for some and difficult for others depending upon their reason for relocating.  The Welcome Center has done welcome visits for many years.  Five years ago the Welcome Center received a grant to enhance the existing welcoming program and start a Newcomers group. This group has grown with many very successful activities.  They have started multiple interest groups such as a Coffee Hour, Pickleball, Happy Hour, Out-to-Lunch, Book Clubs, Biking and Exploring the Glenwood area, to name a few.

The Welcome Center also hosts a number of events and activities that are open to the public such as Music in the Park, Kids Day, Easter egg hunt, Halloween and Christmas events.  “We have great support from our area businesses who sponsor these events. Even so, it can still be difficult for some to get involved on their own,” commented Kay.

We are proud of our welcoming Glenwood community and always look for ways we can improve. We want to continue working with different areas of our community, our businesses, and our organizations to be aware of ways to welcome those new to our community and for those Newcomers to learn about all the great opportunities in our community. 

 Last Year we had a successful event during Welcome Week Wednesday, called,  Welcome to: “A Taste of Glenwood.”  This was a walking (or driving) tour. This year it will be Welcome to: “Exploring Glenwood” on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023.  More information and registration will be on the Welcome Center’s website: WelcomeGlenwood.org.   We are limited in the number who can participate so please sign up. 

Those new to the area who would like a visit and get involved, should call Kay at the Welcome Center at 320-634-3636.