City of Worcester, MA

WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester announced Thursday its designation as a 3-star Certified Welcoming place by Welcoming America. Worcester was recognized for its strong commitment to immigrant inclusion, and for policies, practices, and programs across the city that demonstrate intentional efforts to foster an inclusive sense of belonging and sustain collaborative systems that promote immigrant inclusion and wellbeing.

“Refugees and immigrants have always been part of Worcester’s story,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “They are part of the fabric that makes our city strong, vibrant, and diverse. Thank you to all our community partners who work tirelessly to identify needs and advance immigrant inclusion goals amidst ever shifting funding and resource availability. Your support and collaboration are what made this achievement possible. We are truly fortunate to have so many great community organizations that uplift all who call Worcester home.”

Certified Welcoming is a formal designation by Welcoming America for cities and counties that have created policies and programs that reflect their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion and belonging. Since launching in 2017 and introducing a new star designation system in 2023, Certified Welcoming and its operating framework, the Welcoming Standard, have served as a roadmap for local governments seeking to build truly welcoming communities.

“We're proud to recognize Worcester as the nation's 50th Certified Welcoming community. Today, 25 million Americans benefit from the values and promise that Worcester embodies in this milestone — a sustained commitment from residents, public and private institutions to work together toward a community where everyone belongs.” — Rachel Perić, Executive Director, Welcoming America

In Welcoming America’s review of Worcester, they found that multiple initiatives in the city provide opportunities for residents of diverse backgrounds to come together, exchange experiences, and build relationships. Some of the initiatives include:

• The Worcester RISE Community Doulas Program – culturally affirming, non-medical support during pregnancy and childbirth, matching individuals with doulas who share their language and cultural background. 
• The Worcester Public Library's Free Immigration Legal Help Clinic -- a program that brings legal aid directly to a trusted community space.
• The Worcester Immigrant Belonging Program – the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s newly launched, monthly workshops connecting immigrants with city departments and community resources. 
• Worcester Public Schools’ Family Institute for Student Success – kicks off at each school through a six-week institute to provide families with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to actively participate in their children's education and strengthen family-school collaboration. 

Welcoming America evaluates communities using its Welcoming Standard, which addresses a range of essential components, from language access to hiring practices and more. Beyond traditional immigrant integration strategies, the Welcoming Standard also includes practices for fostering greater unity between immigrants and U.S. born residents. The Welcoming Standard is organized according to seven framework categories including Government and Community Leadership, Civic Leadership, Equitable Access, Connected Communities, Education, Economic Development, and Safe Communities.

Notably, the City of Worcester received a 5-star Certified Welcoming Designation in the economic development framework area and was recognized for supporting immigrants in accessing jobs, trainings, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

“Achieving this 3-star Certified Welcoming designation is a proud milestone for Worcester, and I am especially proud that our city achieved 4- and 5-star ratings in critical areas like Economic Development, Education, and Equitable Access. This success doesn't happen in a vacuum. I want to share this achievement with the essential partners doing the heavy lifting on the ground, including the Worcester Public Library, the Worcester Public Schools, and the countless neighborhood centers, grassroots organizations, and advocacy networks that support our residents every day. We will build on this strong foundation to ensure Worcester remains an inclusive community where everyone has equitable access to opportunity and a chance to thrive.” – Mayor Joseph M. Petty

“Belonging is interwoven into everything we do at the Worcester Public Library. It is our duty to ensure that everyone who walks through our doors feels welcome, supported and valued. This designation recognizes the work the library and our community partners have been doing for many years to make Worcester a place where everyone can belong and thrive. We’re proud to continue that work alongside our partners and build an even more welcoming community for all.” – Jason Homer, Executive Director, Worcester Public Library 

“As longtime supporters of immigrant-serving organizations throughout Worcester, we've seen firsthand the vital role the City plays in fostering a welcoming community. That's why we were proud to champion this certification process. We believed it would validate what residents have long known to be true: Worcester is a city where immigrants are welcomed, valued and able to thrive.” – Peter Dunn, President/CEO, Greater Worcester Community Foundation 

“Friendly House is so proud to play a part in this important work, and we applaud the City of Worcester and its partners for this milestone recognition. Most importantly, the 'Welcoming America' framework provides a rigorous and thoughtful roadmap for all of us to continue to work on better systems and equitable access so that Worcester grows stronger, more welcoming, and an even better place for all of us to call home.” – Trish Appert, Executive Director, Friendly House 

“A welcoming city that invests in support for new immigrants is essential to helping newcomers succeed. Investing in our newest Worcester residents is akin to watering a seed. If we water these seeds, they will undoubtedly sprout into a thriving garden, as has been shown throughout Worcester's history. African Community Education is proud to partner with the City of Worcester, and we look forward to continuing to work together to improve the support systems for immigrants and refugees in our city.” – Kaska Yawo, Executive Director, African Community Education

“As someone who came to this country as a young refugee from Vietnam, this designation means a lot to me personally. I know what it is like to come to a new country and have to figure out the language, the systems, and how to build a new life. To me, being welcoming is not just about saying everyone is welcome. It is about making sure people have the support and opportunities they need to become part of the community. I am proud of how far Worcester has come and especially proud that immigrants and refugees are not just receiving services, they are becoming leaders, starting businesses, raising families, and helping shape the future of our city.” – Tuyet Tran, Chief Executive Officer, Southeast Asian Coalition 

“Being the son of Haitian immigrant parents and a first-generation Haitian American, I understand firsthand the challenges immigrant families face. I often helped my parents complete legal documents, complete tax forms, fill out job applications, navigate institutions, and served as a translator during doctor’s appointments and other important interactions. Those experiences shaped my understanding of how important support and access are for immigrant communities. I am extremely proud of Worcester for receiving this 3-star designation, but the recognition itself is only part of the story, the action behind our commitment matters even more. At a time when refugees and immigrants are facing so much uncertainty, Worcester is showing that we stand with them and are committed to providing the resources and opportunities they need to feel welcomed, participate fully in our community, and help shape the future of our city.” – Kevin Lovaincy, Chief Equity Officer, City of Worcester 

About Certified Welcoming

Certified Welcoming is a formal designation 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.

About Welcoming America

Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. We believe that all people, including immigrants, are valued contributors and vital to the success of our communities and shared future. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org.

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