301 S Vine St, Ste 102, Urbana, IL 61801 |  welcome@universityymca.org  |  (217) 417-5897

Welcoming Immigrants. Thriving Together.

New American Welcome Center

The New American Welcome Center works to co-create a community where all immigrants can thrive and flourish. We do this by engaging local institutions and mobilizing community resources to ensure equitable access to services, economic opportunity, and meaningful belonging.

Our community-responsive programs include: Immigrant Family Services, Immigration Legal Services, and Community Bridge-Building.

Immigrants in Champaign County

Champaign County is becoming a more diverse and international community with each passing year. Currently home to 25,552 immigrants, over 1 in 8 residents (12.2%) are foreign-born.

Our community has experienced a lot of dynamic change over the past decade—53.4% of immigrants in Champaign County entered the U.S. in 2010 or later in pursuit of better living conditions, jobs, education; to escape persecution, violence, or war; or to unite with or create families.

The changing demographics of our community create new challenges along with tremendous opportunities to make our community stronger and more resilient.

Upcoming Events

Migrants' Attorneys Giving International Cuisine Day

6 Shuman circle, Urbana, 61801, IL
September 7, 2023
1:00 pm
Register Now

Hear Our Stories: Welcoming Week Kickoff Event

Lincoln Square Mall
September 8, 2023
6:00 pm
Register Now

Prairie Stories with the Museum of the Grand Prairie

Museum of the Grand Prairie on 950 N. Lombard, Rt. 47 in Mahomet
September 9, 2023
10:00 am
Register Now

Chinese Culture Festival with the Chinese Heritage Association

Hessel Park Church on 700 W. Kirby Ave. in Champaign
September 9, 2023
5:00 pm
Register Now
Welcoming Week tabling photo

Support Us

With your gift, you are helping Champaign County fully embrace our immigrant neighbors and their contributions to the social fabric of our community. Any amount is welcome.

Recent News

Immigrant Business Showcase: Digital Coupons

September 1, 2023

Download the 2023 Immigrant Business Showcase Coupons here!

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The Welcoming Week 2023 pocket guide is here!

August 31, 2023

Explore all 2023 Welcoming Week Events with this pocket-sized event guide, which contains the date, time, and location of each event, as well as information about this year's theme, the Immigrant Business Showcase, and our partners.

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Akua Forkuo-Sekyere selected as next Director of the New American Welcome Center

June 24, 2023

Akua Forkuo-Sekyere grew up the daughter of immigrants from Ghana, and she’ll be putting her family experience to work as the next director of the New American Welcome Center at the University YMCA.

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