Hear from Immigrant Story Tellers

Since 2016, Welcome Toledo-Lucas County (TLC) has annually celebrated Immigrant Heritage Month, held in June and organized by Forward.us to give people across the United States an opportunity to explore their own heritage and celebrate the shared diversity of America.

The #CelebrateImmigrants and #IHMToledo project has included sharing stories of Toledo’s local immigrants, refugees, and those with immigrant heritage from multiple sectors, geographies, cultures, religions, ages, and genders. We have featured Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, local homeowner and refugee George Charchar, and Women of Toledo founder, Nina Corder, among others.

Toledo and Lucas County has a long history of welcoming immigrants from around the world, and this year we look forward to highlighting the efforts of local medical workers who are serving patients of the Coronavirus pandemic. We are bringing their stories to you through our #IHMToledo blog, so keep an eye out on social media via Facebook and Twitter. One thing all our immigrant heritage story tellers have in common, is a love for Toledo and Lucas County, and we can’t wait to share their journey with you. Read about our most recent newcomers, find out why they chose to call Toledo-Lucas County home, and remember what you love about Northwest Ohio.

Interested in reading #IHMToledo stories from last year?

Hear from local business owner, Heidi Allan in Story #1

Hear from University of Toledo Confucius Institute, Xinren Yu in Story #2

Hear from local business owner, Fernando Camargo in Story #3

Hear from University of Toledo student, Inma Zanoguera in Story #4

Join our Virtual Book Discussion

You are invited to be a part of the conversation around what makes us an inclusive and welcoming community. Welcome TLC at the Library is hosting a virtual book discussion on Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Jose Antonio Vargas’ memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen. Vargas’ memoir, gives the reader a small glimpse of what life looks like for one of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States today. Join us for a one-hour virtual book discussion, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., and share your story, too.

Register for the Event

If you have a TLCPL Library card, you are welcome to check out the e-book or listen to the audiobook on Overdrive. The book will be available in Spanish, soon. If you do not have a library card, getting one is as easy as registering online in English, Spanish, Arabic, or Chinese.

Watch a Video from our National Partner

Watch a video from national partner Fwd.us, called “Home” featuring stories of immigrants, refugees, and new Americans and families who have been a part of the American experience for generations.

Thank you and we look forward to your participation year-after-year, during Immigrant Heritage Month.

Recommended Reads

Immigrant Heritage Month book list in English

Immigrant Heritage Month book list in other languages