In a city where a third of its residents can speak a language other than English and a quarter of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, the City of Burien’s annual Welcoming Burien event centers and honors the lived experiences and contributions of local immigrant and refugee communities.
Each year, City staff led by Economic Development Specialist Lorraine Chachere coordinate with Discover Burien, Burien Community Connectors, and local partners to produce this unique event. Held in Burien for the fifth consecutive year, this event has been a highlight of Welcoming Week, an initiative from the nonprofit Welcoming America. This year’s Welcoming Week, which started on September 12, was officially recognized by the Burien City Council with a proclamation on September 8, 2025.
To align with the national Welcoming Week theme of “Stories We Share,” which aims to build connections through storytelling, the Highline Heritage Museum conducted a live, interactive art activity where community members added their own stories.
Entertainment included cultural performances such as Japanese taiko drumming and salsa dancing. Guests enjoyed activities, games, arts and crafts, a resource fair with over 30 community organizations, and local food for purchase. City staff created an inviting space called the “City Living Room” to engage with community members on a range of programs and projects.
Burien Community Connectors, community members who are compensated to lead work in their respective language communities, held cultural activities for attendees to enjoy.
Mesti Kassa, a nonprofit human services agency case manager and Community Connector for the Amharic-speaking community, welcomed community members by hosting a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. She shared that the space provided a supportive environment for the participants’ mental and emotional well-being while participating in this cultural experience.
Kassa shared that she became involved in the program because she wanted to give back and support the Amharic-speaking community in local government.
“I became a community connector to act as a bridge between communities and resources within the City,” said Kassa. “I wanted to facilitate communication and collaboration between communities and the City of Burien to solve shared problems.”
The City of Burien’s strategic plan includes striving to achieve racial equity by evaluating current programs through an equity lens. Welcoming Burien is an opportunity to extend this work and continue building a more inclusive community.
A major part of the celebration involves connecting attendees with local community resources and creating a strong sense of belonging. Sarah Loeffler, the City’s human services coordinator, believes Welcoming Burien plays an important role in removing many barriers to accessing services.
“Whether you have lived here a long time or are new to Burien, we live in a time where support can feel out of reach and systems are overwhelming to navigate,” said Loeffler. “Welcoming Burien brings it all close—organizations, services, and neighbors showing up to inform and uplift. It’s a celebration of community at its best, where diverse cultures are centered and the community says: you belong here, and you’re not alone.”
Nha Khuc, a recent graduate of the University of Washington and a Community Connector for the Vietnamese-speaking community, hosted Bầu cua cá cọp, a game played during Lunar New Year in Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia.
Khuc highlighted how important Welcoming Burien was to support a more inclusive city for all community members. “To me, the Welcoming Burien event not only represents a warm welcome for new residents and a celebration of immigrant and refugee neighbors,” said Khuc. “It also represents the importance of cultural appreciation in fostering a sense of community and belonging for residents in Burien.”
Recreation Coordinator Emma Nielsen from the City’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department helped organize the City Living Room area where City staff were able to connect directly with residents. She emphasized that the participation of staff and partners “plays a pivotal role in making our community healthier, stronger, and more connected.”
“It was exciting to go around to each booth and learn more about the diverse ways that people are helping support immigrants, because it’s an important reminder that people care about each other and understand that we are all a part of the same community and belong,” said Nielsen.
Sofia Estévez, a local community leader and a Community Connector for the Spanish-speaking community, hosted La Lotería, a traditional Mexican board game.
Estévez shared why it was important to bring this game and what she gained from participating. “La Lotería brings back memories of my childhood, so I enjoyed running it so much. I felt like a fish in water, like I was with family. It was a lot of fun,” said Estévez. “At this event, I have the opportunity to strike up conversations with my community, which is something I love. I like to talk, get to know people, share, and connect with everyone.”
Welcoming Burien continues to be an event that brings together communities from all around the city to experience new opportunities for cultural exchange and recognize the importance of celebrating differences.
