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. 

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.  

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.

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.

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

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