The Role of Community in Welcoming Newcomers

On Thursday, September 17, Marta Rubel, Director of Social Outreach for the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, participated in a panel discussion at the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association (PACFA) Annual Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The panel, titled “Building Common Ground through Welcoming,” explored the role communities can play in welcoming and supporting newcomers.

During the discussion, Marta spoke about the role of sponsors in the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program and the positive impact that individuals and families can have when they step forward to welcome and support newcomers as they build their lives in the United States.

The panel was led by Kari McDonough, Vice President of Welcome.US, and also included Liz Kemmery, Senior Managing Editor of Digital at Welcome.US, and Ashlinn Masland-Sarani, Director of Philanthropy at the Lancaster County Community Foundation.

Community foundations work to strengthen their local communities by helping individuals, families, and businesses support important causes and develop local solutions to community needs. PACFA connects community foundations across Pennsylvania, providing opportunities to learn from one another, share resources, and work together to strengthen the communities they serve.