(Lawrenceville, Ga., Sept. 3, 2021) – It’s Welcoming Week from Sept. 9 until Sept. 19, and Gwinnett is observing the week with a movie at the mall, a Citizenship Clinic and a speaking engagement by a well-known muralist.

Welcoming Week is a nationwide initiative that pays homage to the people who are the very fiber of our communities – immigrants, refugees and long-time residents. The week highlights the stories, history and culture of a people whose lives are intertwined in a County committed to staying vibrantly connected.

Proclamation Presentation

The celebration kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 7 with a proclamation from the Board of Commissioners to recognize Welcoming Week in Gwinnett County. Several community leaders who support immigrant communities in the County will attend the presentation during the Board’s 2 p.m. Business Session in the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center Auditorium.

Community Open House, Movie Night at the Mall

When Gwinnett County bought the old Gwinnett Place Mall, commissioners knew they wanted the community’s input on the future of the redevelopment, known as the Gwinnett Place Mall Equity Plan. This is your chance to be heard.

“Our hope for Gwinnett Place Mall is to ensure that residents and business owners — particularly those who live and work in the area — are very involved in its revival,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole L. Hendrickson. “An inclusive, community-driven redevelopment process ensures that the mall remains the focal point for cultural and economic activity in the area.”

Friday, Sept. 10 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. the County will host a Community Open House to hear your thoughts on redeveloping the property, followed by Academy Award winning movie “Minari” at sunset. There will be free food, movie-style snacks and a kids’ corner.

If you’d like to attend, please register at GCGA.us/GPMOpenHouse.  

Citizenship Clinic

Registration is also required for the Welcoming Week Citizenship Clinic. The welcoming week workshop is free and will help citizenship hopefuls prepare for the naturalization application process. Applicants who qualify and complete the naturalization application and fee waiver (if applicable), can meet in person with a staff immigration advocate.

Advancing Justice-Atlanta legal representatives will also be on-hand to review applications and provide legal assistance

The Citizenship Clinic will be held at the Lilburn Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library on Friday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Muralist and Motivational Speaker

Yehimi Cambrón is a DACAmented artist, intellectual, public speaker and activist. The Mexican-born and Atlanta-raised muralist will share her story and the stories of immigrants who are the central focus of her work at another event hosted by the Lilburn branch library.

Cambrón’s talk will take place Sunday, Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. at the library located at 4817 Church Street in Lilburn.