Threats and hostile language directed at immigrants will not disrupt Bend’s Welcoming Week, says the Latino Community Association.
LCA encourages Central Oregon residents to support our immigrant neighbors by participating in free events during Welcoming Week, Sept. 8-19. LCA partners with the City of Bend each September to celebrate the contributions of immigrants and refugees, which falls during Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Events kicked off last night at the LCA office with a mercado of immigrant food vendors.
“Immigrant and refugee families are the backbone of this community, and right now, hostile rhetoric is aimed at our Latino and immigrant neighbors,” said Catalina Sánchez Frank, executive director of LCA. “We are asking all of Bend to answer it with solidarity. Come to Welcoming Week. Stand with us through Hispanic Heritage Month, attend a training with LCA. This is what it looks like when a community shows up for each other.”
Welcoming Week, Sept. 8-19, with events hosted by Embrace Bend, LCA, Shararah Films, APIC, Almadorada, Benditas and Kolovita.
Amigos Concert featuring Edna Vazquez, a benefit for LCA, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m., at the Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend
LCA is looking for volunteers for on-site and community support, interpretation, welcome tables, and de-escalation roles at Welcoming Week and future Latine, immigrant, and refugee community events. Contact volunteer@latca.org
About Latino Community Association
Since 2000, the Latino Community Association has empowered Latino families and children and built bridges across cultures for a more resilient Central Oregon, in coalition with immigrant and refugee serving organizations across the state. LCA serves more than 8,000 people a year through workforce education, family empowerment, healthy families, youth, and cultural enrichment programs. latinocommunityassociation.org
PHOTOS
5124 or 5133 The Latino Community Association set up a lively mercado of food booths to celebrate Bend’s Welcoming Week for immigrants on Sept. 10 and presented Zumba dancing at sundown. Photo by Denise Holle
