COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Welcome Toledo Lucas County (Welcome TLC), housed at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, is a cross-sector network of community partners, including the Lucas County Board of Commissioners, and the Human Relations Commission of Toledo. Welcome TLC’s mission is to build a more welcoming and inclusive community for immigrants, refugees and people of diverse cultures that supports a vibrant civic, economic, and social fabric for all.

Let our staff connect you to information and resources. Email our Welcome TLC Specialist or call 419.214.6132 to set up an appointment. You can also sign up for our quarterly Welcome TLC newsletter.

The Toledo-Lucas County data report summarizes the demographic and economic contributions of immigrants and refugees in Toledo-Lucas County. Toledo-Lucas County, through the Gateways for Growth Challenge Grant, was one of 14 communities nationally to receive a competitive opportunity for direct technical assistance and tailored research from New American Economy (NAE) and Welcoming America.

Produced by Language Equity & Access Partners, the Community Needs Assessment Report outlines the demographics of linguistically and culturally diverse communities in the City of Toledo and the Lucas County area and the services provided by service providers. It also seeks to identify the strengths, needs, gaps in service, and barriers faced by linguistically and culturally diverse communities in accessing the programs.

The Welcome TLC Hiring Guide for Immigrants is an employer-facing document highlighting the business case for hiring international talent in our community. It additionally provides an overview of the most common visa types for employers, including H1-B’s for skilled immigrants and Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for international students.

Certified Welcoming is a national independent audit program of Welcoming America, which demonstrates a region’s commitment to welcoming all community members, including immigrants and refugees. Lucas County achieved the designation in 2019 and the City of Toledo in 2022, making Toledo and Lucas County the first city and county, nationally, to be certified together.

Free Picnic and Party, State of Welcoming Presentation Commemorate Welcoming Week at the Toledo Library — Toledo.com, Aug. 12, 2024

Celebrate Latino music and dance at Toledo Library welcoming party and picnic | Good Day on WTOL 11 — WTOL, Sept. 10, 2024

Toledo Library invites community to free welcoming picnic and party — 13abc, Sept. 12, 2024

 

Toledo Library connects cultures with Welcome Week — WTOL, Sept. 13

Toledo Main Library hosting picnic, party for Hispanic Heritage Month — WTOL. Sept. 13, 2024

Photo Gallery: Toledo Library immigrant celebration — The Blade, Sept. 14, 2024

The State of Welcoming in Toledo and Lucas County — Toledo.com, Sept. 16, 2024

TLCPL to host The State of Welcoming in Toledo and Lucas County program — 13abc, Sept. 17, 2024

Local Organizations Provide Services, Hospitality For Refugee Arrivals — Toledo City Paper, Aug. 24, 2023

Toledo, Lucas County recognized for dedication to immigrants — Toledo Blade, June 20, 2023

Toledo, Lucas County earns welcoming designation from nonprofit — 13 ABC, September 2, 2022

Resettlement to Revitalization: Welcoming Immigrants in Toledo’s Post-industrial Era — Midstory, November 3, 2021

Lucas County designated as ‘welcoming’ for immigrants – Toledo Blade, August 4, 2020

Report: Increasing immigrant population in Toledo contributes to local economy — WTOL, August 21, 2019

The Big Idea: 2019 with Mechelle Zarou and Reem Subei — Toledo City Paper, January 17, 2019

Toledo-Lucas County immigrant initiative gets award, research help — Toledo Blade, January 9, 2019

Fighting an Uncertain Future: Toledo organizations strive to reassure immigrant community after travel ban – Toledo City Paper, February 28, 2017

City council bans therapy type, backs inclusivity – Toledo Blade, February 8, 2017

International flair: Toledo film festival marks 3rd year — Toledo Blade, February 2, 2017

In Toledo, Syrian Refugees Are Welcomed Amid A Difficult Immigration Climate – NPR, January 4, 2017

How an Ohio Town Became a Model City for Resettling Syrian Refugees – Vice News, July 19, 2016

Immigrants are backbone of community – Toledo Blade, June 18, 2016

Study touts benefits of immigration – Toledo Blade, December 8, 2015

Among The Lucky Few: Syrian Family Rebuilds In America’s Heartland – NPR, October 20, 2015