Media Center
Thank you for visiting the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians Media Center and for your interest in learning more about us.
If you are a member of the press and have questions, need information, or would like to schedule an interview, please get in touch.
Contact:
Lina Duffy
Director of Communications
lina@welcomingcenter.org
215.825.7770
Inquiries not related to the media should be sent to info@welcomingcenter.org.
Welcoming Center at a Glance
Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians addresses the barriers immigrants face in finding employment in their new county. We work to accelerate immigrant integration and economic advancement. We do this by:
Opening doors of economic opportunities for global newcomers
Realizing the potential of the immigrant and U.S.-born entrepreneurs
Providing education and training for successful integration into the American workforce
Facilitating citizenship and civic engagement
Helping employers attract and retain global talent
Enhancing the economic development of the Greater Philadelphia region
Facts About Immigration
15%
Immigrants comprise 15% of the Philadelphia population
96%
Immigrants are responsible for 96% of Philadelphia’s Main Street business growth from 2000 to 2013
72.5%
72.5% of Philadelphia immigrants are of working age compared to 21.5% of native-born workers
43.1%
Philadelphia immigrants are 43.1% more likely to become entrepreneurs compared to native born residents
48%
48% of immigrants move to Philadelphia because of family or friends
$40b
Brain waste costs the nation $40 billion in forgone wages annually
$10b
Brain waste costs the nation $10 billion in forgone federal, state, and local tax payments
Sources: Fiscal Policy Institute, Migration Policy Institute, Partnership for a New American Economy, Pew Charitable Trusts, Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
Media Coverage
How a Syrian refugee found the American dream at Reading Terminal Market – Billy Penn, October 25, 2018
Refugee went from janitor to vendor at Reading Terminal Market in a year – philly.com, October 24, 2018
Peter Gonzales: Living a mission to serve immigrants in Philadelphia – Al Dia News, October 11, 2018
Why the Global Startup Accelerator wants startups to get worldly – Technical.ly, October 2, 2018
Leaving New York to Find the American Dream in Philadelphia – New York Times, July 20, 2018
Welcoming immigrants: The work of key makers – Al Dia News, June 15, 2018
I Love My Job: Stop telling immigrants to get in line, says Welcoming Center CEO Peter Gonzales – Philadelphia Magazine, May 25, 2018
The Citizen Recommends: 2018 Solas Awards – The Philadelphia Citizen, May 2, 2018
Brain waste: Immigrants with foreign degrees find U.S. employers reluctant to hire them – philly.com, April 6, 2018
12 Philly immigrants who are ready to mobilize – Generocity, February 26, 2018
Trust and citizenship in the Trump era – The Philadelphia Citizen, February 21, 2018
Redefining civic participation, one new leader at a time – Generocity, February 9, 2018
For immigrants, civic engagement is essential to success – Generocity, January 2, 2018
Press Releases & Statements
Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians celebrates 15 years of connecting immigrants, employers, and communities at its 2018 Solas Awards gala – April 5, 2018
Welcoming Center Announces New Appointments to Board of Directors – November 6, 2017
U.S. Department of Commerce Awards New Grant to Support Immigrant Entrepreneurship and Exports in Philadelphia – October 24, 2017
Statement in response to the Trump administration’s decision to end DACA – September 7, 2017
Statement in response to President Trump’s executive order banning entry for 90 days by citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen – February 1, 2017