BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) has joined the Welcoming Network, a global network of local governments and nonprofits committed to making communities more welcoming. Led by the nonpartisan nonprofit organization, Welcoming America, the network provides BDCC access to research, technical assistance, webinars, and collaborative programs with other Welcoming Network organizations.
"Joining Welcoming America has long been an aspiration for the BDCC," said Alex Beck, BDCC Welcoming Communities manager, in a news release. "The success of our own Welcoming Communities initiative, now in its third year, encouraged us to dive headfirst into this national network of partners."
According to BDCC, Welcoming America uses a multi-sector approach to leverage the Welcoming Standard "as a comprehensive roadmap to identify areas in which members can make their community more equitable. Member organizations receive timely resources related to a variety of topics, including: government leadership, language access, healthcare, economic development, and more."
"We are thrilled to have the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation join the Welcoming Network. Their membership is a testament to their commitment to creating a more welcoming place for all people living in Windham County and we look forward to working with them," said Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America.
In addition to participating in a members-only learning lab, the Welcoming Communities team is participating in Welcoming Week by hosting a community celebration on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m., at 118 Elliot St. in Brattleboro.
The event seeks to build community, foster solidarity, and celebrate the start of fall. Everyone who is a part of, or is involved in welcoming, our region's growing immigrant community is encouraged to attend.
More information about the local initiative can be found at welcomingcommunitiesvt.com.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.