National Welcoming Week
September 10-19, 2026
4th Annual
Eastside Welcome Weekend
Sponsored by IC Compassion
September 11-13, 2026
Help make WW26 a success!
Celebrating Cultures
Building Community
A family-friendly weekend of
music, food, faith, service
and connection
"Rock the Block" Party
Friday, September 11
Vendors 5:00-7:00PM
Citizenship Recognition 6:00PM
Music 6:30-7:30PM
1035 Wade Street
Kick off Welcome Weekend with a lively neighborhood block party. Local organizations and businesses will share resources and information, followed by live music and stories of hope, welcome, and resilience in honor of America’s 250th birthday.
Community-Wide Garage Sale
Saturday, September 12
All Day
Yard sales throughout the Eastside neighborhood.
Church of the Nazarene's 100th Anniversary Gathering
Saturday, September 12
Reception 5:00-7:00PM
1035 Wade Street
Celebrating a legacy of hope with music, snacks and speeches.
Multi-Cultural Community Service
Sunday, September 13
11:00AM
1035 Wade Street
A welcoming service celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Nazarene Church's impact, shared values and blessings for the community.
Intercultural Welcome Festival
Sunday, September 13
1:00-4:00PM
Mercer Park
Join us for a multicultural celebration featuring live music, a free meal, children’s activities, community soccer games, and cultural displays highlighting the richness of our community and celebrating the 20th anniversary of IC Compassion.
Together, we bring neighbors of all cultures, faiths, and backgrounds together to build relationships, celebrate diversity, and strengthen our community.
Welcome Weekend is part of Welcoming Week, a national initiative that highlights the people and organizations working to make communities more welcoming and inclusive for all. The theme for Welcoming Week 2026 is Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect.
Thanks to our 2025 Sponsors
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City of Iowa City
Dr. Suzanne Stock, Orthodontist
Maria Martinez
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Abbe Center for Community Mental Health
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African Network
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Catholic Worker House
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Community Inclusion Club
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Domestic Violence Intervention Program
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Eastside Neighborhood Association
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GreenState Credit Union
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HACAP
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Immigrant Welcome Network
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Iowa City Free Medical & Dental Clinic
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Iowa City Senior Center​​​​​​​​
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Maternal Health Resurrection
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NAACP
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New Iowan Legal Clinic
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New Life Ministries
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Newman Abuissa for Iowa City Council
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Optimae Life Services
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Petals STEM Program
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Regional Autism Assistance Program
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Resilient Sustainable Future Iowa City
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Successful Living
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Systems Unlimited, Inc.
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Variedades y Pupuseria Ashley​​​​​
2025 Block Party and Welcome Festival Participants
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National Welcoming Week is an annual celebration of the people, organizations and businesses that create welcoming communities, including immigrants.
Learn more about Welcoming Week
#BelongingBeginsWithUS