Celebrating Welcoming Week at ACC
Launched in 2012 by Welcoming America, Welcoming Week is an annual campaign to affirm the importance of welcoming refugee & immigrant neighbors. This year, Welcoming Week will be celebrated in communities across the U.S. from September 8-17.
ACC staff members hold signs reading, “I’m a Welcomer,” in different languages.
“The spirit of welcoming is a community-wide effort, and we at ACC feel incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the generosity and graciousness of Coloradans. Welcoming Week gives us the opportunity to highlight your efforts, as well as to share ways that you can continue to engage.”
Organize a Donation Drive at your workplace, school, or faith community
One of the best ways to welcome newcomers is by donating household items. ACC accepts donation items at our front desk from 9-5 Monday-Friday (Note: on Tuesdays, ACC opens to the public at 12).
If you’re interested in hosting a donation drive at your organization, reach out to megan@acc-den.org
Top Needed Individual Items:
Bath towels, hand towels, & washcloths (new)
Pots/Pans (new or gently used)
Broom/ Dustpan (new)
Mop (with bucket or microfiber - new)
Kitchen trash can & trash bags (new)
Shower curtain, liner, & hooks (new)
Themed Donation Bins:
ACC is grateful for an ongoing partnership with Calvary Bible Church- who organized a donation drive in May and contributed 24 linens donation bins and 50 backpacks with school supplies.
Co-Sponsorship Information Session
Attend this virtual panel to hear directly from ACC volunteers who have participated in the Co-Sponsorship program. This program is best-suited for volunteers who are prepared to bring together a team of at least 7 volunteers & support a refugee family over a period of months.
Thursday, 9/14 from 7:00-8:00p.m. on Zoom (https://byui.zoom.us/j/97745047244)
We are grateful to our partners, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints & Just Serve, for their collaboration in hosting this event.
Can’t attend the info session? Complete the interest form on our website & we’ll be in touch.
The Caal Osorio family, who came here as refugees because they were facing persecution in Guatemala, is pictured with a member of their Co-Sponsorship team. Click here to read more about this incredible story - as told by 9News.
Attend a Volunteer Orientation
Not sure which engagement opportunity is right for you? Attend ACC’s General Volunteer Orientation (Training 1) to learn more about our work and the opportunities available to you. Whether you’re interested in volunteering as an individual, as a family, or with a group, ACC has an opportunity for you.
Trainings are conducted virtually via GoogleMeet.
Upcoming trainings:
Monday, 9/18 at 10:30a.m.
Tuesday, 10/3 at 5:30p.m.
Monday, 10/16 at 10:30a.m.
Volunteer, Chloe Sherman, assists a newcomer at ACC’s “Bike Day” back in April - where refugee community members received their own bike free-of-charge along with lessons, thanks to a partnership with More Better Bikes.
ACC volunteer, Angie Riches, rallies her community in Highlands Ranch by posting on Next Door & gathering furniture items her neighbors are giving away. Read more about Angie here.
Furniture Donation Drop-Off Event (9/23)
Help us restock our warehouse with furniture! Do you have any of these items to donate? (new or gently used)
Couches/ Love Seats
Dining Room Tables & Chairs
Side Tables/ Coffee Tables
Standing Lamps & Table Lamps
We will be collecting furniture items in the parking lot of our office from 10-2. We will have staff/ volunteers available to assist with unloading your items; however, extra help is always appreciated.
*If you don't have anything to drop off but would still like to help, consider purchasing something from our Amazon Wishlist & having it shipped directly to our office!
Sign up is required - please click the button below!
ACC Community Night @ DU’s Newman Center for the Performing Arts
Attend a performance by Okaidja Afroso, a multi-instrumentalist, Afro-Jazz, Afro-Classical, and Traditional Dancer from Ghana, West Africa. See the event description here.
ACC’s Community Engagement team has collaborated with the Newman Center to provide free tickets to ACC refugee community members & discounted tickets to ACC supporters.
When?
Wednesday, Sept. 27th at 7:30p.m.
Where?
The University of Denver’s Newman Center
2344 E. Iliff Avenue, Denver
Written by Maria Farrier (maria@acc-den.org), Development & Communications Manager