Our Photo Gallery
Click on an event to view more photos.
Click on an event to view more photos.
Thursday, December 21, 2023
We gathered alongside our inspiring 11 Women Lead participants and their loved ones to commemorate their successful completion of the 9-week Job Readiness course!
Every participant received a well-deserved certificate and a gift card, empowering them to acquire whatever professional attire they would like, as a token of recognition for their dedication and accomplishments. We could not be prouder of all the women and and how far they’ve come! Now they are off to go meet with their mentors, and go show the world what they are capable of.
Wednesday, November 20, 2023
Pre-Thanksgiving vibes at IWC! On the third floor, our November Cooking Matters cohort, led by the amazing Jane Winarta from Maine SnapEd, turned autumn's harvest into healthy and oh-so-delicious dishes! Check out this gallery for a sneak peek at the creations they whipped up.
Plus, our IWC team brought their A-game with some seriously tasty favorites! Who's ready to dig in?
Sunday September 10, 2023
Thank you for all of you who showed up for our Soccer Sunday event! It was an awesome event, with lots of snacks and and books as well as the most importantly soccer!
A special thank you to USM, The Portland Food Co-Op, The Locker Project, USL to Portland, and Rising Tide Brewery for helping us make this event possible.
Friday September 1st, 2023
On September 1st, we held another instalment of New Mainers on Stage in Congress Square Park, Portland.
As the Immigrant Welcome Center, we feel an unwavering commitment to welcoming all who have sought refuge in our state. This event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the immeasurable contributions of all immigrants through the showcase of local talent and solidarity shown through great community support.
Special thanks goes to The Locker Project, Portland Food Co-Op, Congress Square Park, for your partnership. Thank you to New Moon Ensemble, Bondeko, and Embody the Rhythm for giving us a spectacular show!
Thursday July 26th, 2023
We would like to extend our gratitude to those who came to our Chai Hour Open House. At the event we announced our new program initiatives:
- Chai Hour – Welcoming Maine’s elderly immigrants.
- Women Lead – An enterprise institute.
- Zero interest/zero fee loans & grants for immigrant businesses.
- An Islamic compliant home financing option offered by Androscoggin Bank.
Once again, we would like to thank everyone who helped inaugurate our new community gathering space. It was a pleasure hosting the event and we hope you come visit Chair Hour, open Monday-Thursday 12:00pm-5:00pm.
Saturday June 24th, 2023
A couple days after our own Juneteenth Event, we tabled at the Free Health Screening Event at ECC! There, we had a henna booth run by our Citizenship and Civic Engagement Director Alesis, as well as having on hand some general information about what IWC does.
Monday June 19th, 2023
On June 19th we celebrated World Refugee Day in Congress Square Park, Portland.
As the Immigrant Welcome Center, we feel an unwavering commitment to welcoming all who have sought refuge in our state. This event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the immeasurable contributions of all immigrants through the showcase of local talent and solidarity shown through great community support.
Special thanks goes to Monday of the Minds, The Locker Project, Congress Square Park, and Maine Public for your partnership. Thank you to J Wizdum, Assasi, Viva, and Hogfish for your spectacular performances!
Saturday, June 3rd, 2023
Portland community members of all ages gathered in Kennedy Park for a fun day of soccer. Our partner, USL to Portland, handed out free soccer balls to all, and we supplied free gifts, healthy snacks, and drinks thanks to the support of the Locker Project, Wayside Food Pantry, and Portland Food Co-Op.
Despite the bad weather, we got a large turnout, and we were thrilled to see so many people unite over their love of this sport. Stay tuned for more info about our next edition of Soccer Saturday this September!
Tuesday, April 25th, 2023
Members of the Freeport community gathered at the old Meetinghouse to listen to six Asylum Seekers residing in the state of Maine share their stories, including what life was like in their home countries, their journeys to the US, and how their new lives in Maine are going.
Participants included individuals from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia and Ukraine. The panel discussion was hosted by IWC’s Executive Director, Reza Jalali.
Friday, April 14th, 2023
For the first time in Maine’s history, members of Maine’s Jewish and Muslim communities gathered at the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine to break bread over a Ramadan/Shabbat meal.
On this evening, the friendship and understanding between the Children of Abraham in Southern Maine was celebrated, as well as the ongoing partnership between the Immigrant Welcome Center and the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine in serving those displaced by wars, conflicts and violence.
Friday, April 7th, 2023
During the First Friday Art Walk, the Greater Portland community joined IWC for a reception and showcase of our ongoing "Africa to Maine" photo exhibition at the Portland Public Library. This exhibition highlights photos of the lives of individuals back in Africa. There was live music, free snacks and beverages, and presentations from the photographers.
This exhibition was put in place through IWC in partnership with the Portland Public Library, the Portland Museum of Art, and sponsored by Town & Country credit union.
Wednesday, January 4th, 2023
IWC’s Executive Director, Reza Jalali, some of IWC’s board members and candidates for IWC’s Women Lead program, were thrilled to attend the inauguration of Maine’s Governor, Janet T. Mills.
October 20th, 2022
Prior to the 2022 midterm elections, IWC’s Citizenship and Civic Engagement team worked tirelessly to get Maine’s immigrant population to the polls. These efforts culminated during their “Day of Democracy” event, hosted mid-October in partnership with the Jewish Community Alliance (JCA). This event headlined Maine’s Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, and had supporting talks from Director of Communications at Maine Department of the Secretary of State, Emily Cook, and IWC’s own executive director, Reza Jalali.
These speakers talked about how and where to vote in Maine, how the voting process works, and much more. Numerous other community organizations came to provide resources.