Shirin Karsan

This year, The Welcoming Center is very pleased to honor Shirin Karsan with the 2024 Solas Award. Shirin is an unwavering advocate for global peace, with an inspiring dedication to the promise of American pluralism and democracy. She builds bridges, breaks down barriers, and promotes peace both locally and globally. 

Amina Aliako

This year at Solas, Amina Aliako will be the recipient of our inaugural Anne O’Callaghan Award. Amina’s immigration journey and her experience as a newcomer looking for opportunity in Philadelphia is an inspiration to our community. She is a remarkable and resilient woman, who has fought tirelessly to provide for and protect her family, while never turning off the light of her own dreams and ambitions.  

Carly (Riman) Cai: A Participant From China

Before The Welcoming Center I did not feel like I was part of anything and would walk by the side of the street but now I can walk in the middle of the street, be myself, speak loudly, confidently, and powerfully.

It Takes a TWC Village

Melissah built her assurance, pushed her peers to advocate for themselves, and nurtured her networking skills. She was able to identify and understand her capabilities and use them to push her career forward.

Tatiana Leon: A Participant From Colombia

Rebirth. That’s the expression that comes up for Tatiana, a dentist from Colombia, when she describes her journey in the United States.

Marilu Salazar Mendez: A Participant from Venezuela

I keep coming back to The Welcoming Center because I want to help others feel as happy as I am.

Yuliia Chepysheva: A Participant From Ukraine

I know that finding The Welcoming Center was a pivotal moment in my life because it changed my perception of being an immigrant.

A Bright(ly) Update

“The cooperative is important to me because it taught me coexistence, it trained me, I joined a group, and it gave me wonderful opportunities to be independent and to be my own manager of my business.”