Welcoming Community Initiative
The Cross Cultural Action Network (CCAN) will kick off their countywide Welcoming Community campaign at a meeting on May 15th from 12-2 pm at the First Baptist Church, 88 South Street, Pittsfield. The campaign is designed to raise the level of public discourse concerning immigrants and immigration so that public policy reflects our highest values. Mayor James Ruberto will lead the campaign with a resolution that declares Pittsfield a Welcoming Community.In joining the statewide "Welcoming Massachusetts" campaign, CCAN is asking Berkshire County residents to pledge to make our communities hospitable, welcoming, and inclusive of diversity. Those who sign the pledge will agree to treat our neighbors with respect and decency and to establish equality for all people, including immigrants, endowing them with unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Residents will be encouraged to sign pledges at the meeting, local events, and on line at welcomingma.org/form/sign-pledge.
Mayor Ruberto expressed his commitment to our immigrant community and Pittsfield's diversity in his 2008 inaugural speech. "Immigrants have always been an important part of Pittsfield and they provide the hope for our future. This pledge confirms our recognition for the need to respect and celebrate diversity in our community and in all communities."
Marcony Almeida, Organizing Director from the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) will be the keynote speaker. Mr. Almeida will give us a statewide perspective on issues facing the immigrant and refugee communities in Massachusetts and current policy priorities. He will also give further background and information about the launch of the statewide “Welcoming Massachusetts” campaign. (www.welcomingma.org)
The event is free, and the general public is encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be provided. Attendees are asked to enter the First Baptist Church via the side entrance near the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.
The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) protects and promotes the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees across the Commonwealth. MIRA advances this mission through education and training, leadership development, organizing, policy analysis and advocacy.
CCAN is an informal network of cross-cultural individuals and organizations that support immigrants and other minority groups in the Berkshires. The group is committed to making the Berkshires a welcoming community through events, advocacy and education. The Cross Cultural Action Network is headed by steering committee members from the Berkshire Immigrant Center, the Human Service Forum, Manos Unidas, the Adult Learning Center, and the Adult Literacy Committee of Berkshire County. For more information about CCAN, please contact (413) 445-4881.
