By Shannon Brennan

Natalia Devlin, Language and Immigrant Services Coordinator of Arapahoe Libraries, recently shared about a project last summer and provided some excellent resources. In August 2024, Arapahoe Libraries offered the Stories of Welcoming Mini-Series focused on what makes a welcoming community:

• August 14, in collaboration with Colorado Humanities and with Rachel Garcia (Mexican Cultural Center Denver) as facilitator, Arapahoe Libraries hosted a discussion panel of community members and experts on the topic of newcomers’ experiences.
• August 21, in collaboration with 9News, Arapahoe Libraries screened the documentary ‘Una Vida Nueva’ / “A New Life” which featured stories of asylum seekers arriving to Colorado during Winter 2022-2023 and included a robust Q&A session with the journalist and filmmaker Angeline McCall at the end

Here are just some of the comments from participants:

• “It was art. Everything about it was ordinarily extraordinary. I felt emotional like I had been at a live performance of an incredible show, but it isn’t art. It’s reality, and it’s so rare to be invited to view another person’s life like that… I’m so glad to have been there to witness how vibrant and strong this community is for each other.” – a community member

• “It was so informative and moving at the same time. I am so glad I learned about this and was able to attend.” – a K-12 educator

• “The event at the Arapahoe Library successfully brought together community members and newcomers, fostering a shared space for growth and connection.” – a former refugee and an activist

• “It was great to experience stories without judgement. That doesn’t always happen in public spaces around the topic of immigration” – a community member

• “This has been the most diverse panel I have ever been on” – a local nonprofit director

Here are a list of resources Natalia has generously provided for your library programming:

• Colorado Humanities Community Conversations https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/community-conversations/
• Mexican Cultural Center  https://mccdenver.org/ 
• New Americans Community Advisory Committee – Colorado Department of Labor and Employment https://ona.colorado.gov/committees/new-americans-community-advisory-committee
• Refugee Speakers Bureau  https://corefugeeconnect.org/speakers/
• Welcoming America  https://welcomingamerica.org/initiatives/welcoming-week