Kansas City, Mo – Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas today announced appointments to the Mayor’s Commission for New Americans to advise the City on how to better support the growing community of immigrants and refugees living in Kansas City.

The Commission will be tasked with setting and monitoring goals to improve immigrant inclusion and provide guidance on City practices to ensure better service delivery, community engagement, and ensure immigrant and refugee voices are heard when creating policy. Appointees will work on strategies and best practices, including providing local government communications in multiple languages and finding ways to better promote government services and resources to immigrants and refugees.

“Kansas City is proud to be home to more than 150,000 immigrants who play an important role revitalizing, strengthening, and growing our community. As we continue working to make Kansas City more welcoming and inclusive for everyone, I am proud to appoint the Mayor’s Commission for New Americans,” said Mayor Lucas. “The Commission will help us improve trust between local government and new Americans, find ways to improve their quality of life, and help us respond to issues they may face when integrating into our Kansas City community. I look forward to the Commission’s recommendations, which will lead to long-term, transformational positive change and ensure Kansas City continues to be a safe, welcoming place for all.”

“Welcoming KC is excited to join the Mayor’s commission to help welcome our new friends,” said Mayor’s Commission for New Americans Commissioner Greg Valdovino, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “Immigrants and refugees contribute so much to our communities and this commission will identify ways to utilize their talents, culture and experiences to make Kansas City even greater. We are proud to be part of a large coalition of organizations and stakeholders partnering with the City to serve immigrants and refugees and the impact of our work will only grow stronger from here.”

Commission Appointees:

• Chair, Bridget Romero, Lathrop GPM LLP

• Fatima Delic, City of Kansas City

• Joan Kelly, Jewish Vocational Services

• Sarah Kolsto, Della Lamb Community Services

• Greg Valdovino, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

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