From September 16 to 25, the volunteers who have been helping plan Princeton’s first official Welcoming Week will finally see their summer-long efforts materialize. Princeton High School junior Leah Williamson, senior Luis Estrada, and Rutgers University senior Melissa Urias are among those who have been hard at work on this series of events, designed to bring together immigrants and U.S.-born residents and promote a spirit of unity between cultures.

The ten-day celebration is a collaboration of Human Services, the Princeton Public Library, and the Historical Society of Princeton. The town is among the more than 80 communities that are part of the national organization Welcoming America, sponsor of similar events around the country during the same time frame.

There will be an information table at the Princeton Farmer’s Market on Hinds Plaza September 15. The highlight of the week is a Cultural Exchange Night on September 20 at Hinds Plaza, beginning with the reading of a proclamation by Mayor Liz Lempert. Ten tables of displays by local families, individuals, and volunteers will be set up. From 7 to 9 p.m., dancers from Princeton Folk Dance will lead community members in dancing to live music by “Ajde,” an international folk dance band playing both modern and traditional instruments.

A bilingual walking tour of African American Princeton, led by longtime resident and historian Shirley Satterfield, is planned for September 21 at 10 a.m. An interpreter will translate into Spanish. Participants should register by calling (609) 688-2055.

Ms. Urias, who plans to go to graduate school for social work, is an intern with Elisa Neira, director of the town’s Human Services department. She has been working on the project since late spring. “In May, it was just an idea,” she said. “I helped Elisa come up with events that Princeton could do in a week. We went to local non profit groups, community leaders, and houses of worship to get participation.”

Both Luis and Leah are members of Princeton’s new Youth Advisory Committee. Leah was in charge of art for Welcoming Week, designing flyers, the logo, and more. “This was kind of a way of getting my foot in the door,” she said. “I want to be in graphic design and this could mean recognition for me.”

Luis, who was born in Guatemala, hopes to become a social worker. “If I do end up in this career, this will have been great experience for me,” he said. He was instrumental in reaching out to the immigrant community, handing out flyers and creating a small, bilingual pamphlet of stories told to him by immigrant business owners. He especially enjoyed meeting the owner of Hunan restaurant on Witherspoon Street. “I grew up going there,” he said. “I never thought I’d meet the owner. But she had a great story and she really inspired me.”

Among the other young volunteers who interviewed immigrant business owners were Stuart Country Day School students Avelyn and Emerlee Simons. “The sisters feel it is so important to highlight the hard working spirit of immigrants in their town, which in turn fosters respect and appreciation for the varied, rich and wonderful global cultures represented in their community,” said Ms. Neira in a written statement. “Having attended schools in Lima, Perú, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, the girls know first-hand that a welcoming smile and a kind word help to build bridges to friendship. They fully agree with Welcoming America’s motto “Because when communities welcome newcomers, they become better places for everyone.”

According to the Welcoming America website, more than 22,000 people participated in 245 events last year. Princeton’s schedule of activities will add to the list. “We’re doing a lot of social media. The library and Historical Society are also publicizing this,” said Ms. Urias. “We’re trying to involve everybody we can.”