Welcoming City Designation

On Oct. 1, 2026, City Manager Eric D. Batista and Mayor Joseph M. Petty announced that the City of Worcester was designated 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.

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.

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"Refugees and immigrants have always been part of Worcester's story. 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." - City Manager Eric D. Batista

"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

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.

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.