Menu

YMCA OF
GREATER KANSAS CITY
YMCA OF GREATER KANSAS CITY

Welcoming Week

Family including young child shares food from around the world at welcoming week event Family including young child shares food from around the world at welcoming week event
Graphic with WELCOME in the center, with "welcome" in many other languages in the background

Share Cultures, Build Community

Each year in September, check out events at Ys across the metro during Welcoming Week. It's a nationwide celebration that brings people together to share cultures, build understanding and show the power of a community where everyone belongs.

Thanks to all who celebrated with us September 12-21, 2025! Check back for information about September 2026 events.

2025 Welcoming Week Events

Atchison Family YMCA/Cray Community Center

Address: 321 Commercial St, Atchison, KS 66002

  • Kids Zone Coloring Flags of the World (September 12-21) – As part of our enrichment activities, kids can color flags from around the world.

  • Member Potluck & World Travels Presentation (Wednesday, September 17) – Share favorite dishes from your culture and enjoy a presentation highlighting world travels.

  • Kids Night Out – Let’s Dance: International Dance Day (Friday, September 19, 5:30–8:30 p.m.) – Join us for an evening of international dance, featuring the Benedictine College dance team and Kickapoo dancers and drummers.

Cleaver Family YMCA

Address: 7000 Troost, Kansas City, MO 64131

  • Potluck & Speaker Series (Friday, September 19, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) – Share favorite foods from your culture or others, paired with the Super Salad Spectacular Speaker Series and a salad-making demonstration from around the world.

  • Notes of Encouragement (September 12-21) – Write a note of encouragement to be delivered to people served by Guadalupe Centers and Mattie Rhodes Center.

  • Group Exercise with Global Music (September 12-21) – Experience movement classes featuring music from different cultures.

  • Kids Zone Coloring Banner (September 12-21) – Visit Kids Zone to color a banner celebrating Welcoming Week.

  • Around the World: 5 Countries in 5 Days Espresso Bike Challenge (September 14–21, anytime during regular hours) – Try the bike challenge highlighting a different country each day.

  • World Map (September 12-21) – Add a pin or sticker to show your country of origin and celebrate community diversity.

Bonner Springs Family YMCA

Address: 2251 S 138th St, Bonner Springs, KS 66012

September 12–21, 2025

  • Welcome Wall – Add your greeting in your own language or culture to our community wall.
  • Around the World in Kids Zone – Each day features a new region or culture through music, snacks, games, and movement activities like Hula Fitness, Polynesian dance, or belly dancing.
  • Ask Me Where I’m From – Staff will share their backgrounds and languages through special name tag “passports,” sparking conversation and cultural connection.
  • Special Classes – Experience culture through movement with Latin Day Zumba, Tai Chi of China, Yoga of India, Taekwondo, and Line Dancing, plus flavors of Caribbean or South American dance. Check the group exercise schedule for details.
Kirk Family YMCA

Address: 222 W 11th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105

September 15, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Welcome Week Potluck
Share a favorite dish from your culture, sample foods from others, and connect with neighbors in a welcoming community setting.

 

Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center

Address: 3800 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64128

September 18, 2025

11:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.
Welcome Week Feast
Celebrate community and culture with dishes from around the world, and connect with others in a spirit of learning and togetherness.

North Kansas City YMCA

Address: 1999 Iron Street, North Kansas City, MO 64116

September 12-21

  • Country Stand with Direction Arrows – Look for signs pointing to different countries with their locations and distances, celebrating our global community.

  • Welcome Board with the World – Place a pin on the world map at the Welcome Center to show where you and your family are from.

  • New American Welcome Center (NAWC) Highlights – Celebrate Welcoming Week by highlighting stories and experiences from our NAWC community.

Olathe Family YMCA

Address: 21400 W 153rd St, Olathe, KS 66061

  • World Map (September 12-21) – Add a pin to our world map to show where you and your family are from, celebrating the diversity of our Y community.

  • Kids Zone Flag Coloring & Craft (Tuesday, September 16, 10 a.m. & 5 p.m.) – During Kids Zone enrichment times, children can color flags and create a craft to take home.

  • Latin Dance/Zumba with Jessica & Katie (Monday and Wednesday, Sept 15 & 17, 4:30 p.m.) – Members are welcome to bring a friend and join in these lively dance and fitness classes.

  • Member Spotlight (September 12-21)  – Watch for members sharing their story and culture on the Olathe Y's social media. Want to share your story/? Visit the Welcome Center to let us know.

Platte County Community Center North

Address: 3101 Running Horse Rd, Platte City, MO 64079

  • World Map (September 12-21, All Day) – Add a pin to our world map to show where you and your family are from, celebrating the diversity of our Y community.

  • Flags Across the World (September 12-21) – Visit Kids Zone to color flags from around the world and display them in our front windows for everyone to enjoy.

  • Desserts From Around the World (Date TBD) – Share a favorite dessert from your culture and sample sweet treats from others in a morning of community and connection.

Platte County Community Center South

Address: 8875 Clark Ave, Parkville, MO 64152

  • World Map (September 12–21, All Day) – Add a pin to our world map to show where you and your family are from, and celebrate the diversity of our Y community.

  • Flags Across the World (September 12–21, All Day) – Visit Kids Zone to color flags from around the world and display them in our front windows for everyone to enjoy.

  • Desserts From Around the World (Tuesday, September 23, 9–11 a.m.) – Share a favorite dessert from your culture and sample sweet treats from others in a morning of community and connection.

Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center

Address: 8601 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66112

September 12–21, 2025

  • Welcome Wall – Add your greeting in your own language or culture to our community wall.
  • Around the World in Kids Zone – Each day features a new region or culture through music, snacks, games, and movement activities like Hula Fitness, Polynesian dance, or belly dancing.
  • Ask Me Where I’m From – Staff will share their backgrounds and languages through special name tag “passports,” sparking conversation and cultural connection.
  • Special Classes – Experience culture through movement with Latin Day Zumba, Tai Chi of China, Yoga of India, Taekwondo, and Line Dancing, plus flavors of Caribbean or South American dance. Check the group exercise schedule for details.