Welcoming Center opens arms for Solas Awardees

Ever wonder what it would be like to move to a different country where the language, customs, cultures and food differed drastically from what one had grown up with? Add to that the anxiety of wondering when or if the papers, investigations and necessary documents had been signed sealed and delivered in a way that would allow a person to immigrate to the USA. All those questions, concerns and means of getting settled are somehow and someway being answered, for the recently arrived, by an organization named the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians (WCNP).

The now fourteen yearold non-profit recently convened at the Sheraton Philadelphia to celebrate and honor three members of the community who’ve been instrumental in seeing that WCNP’s mission of integration is being carried out.

Goldman Sachs (GS) employee Nicole Pullen Ross was on hand to accept the non-profit’s Atlas Award for Advancing Opportunity on behalf of her employer’s “10,000 Small Businesses” program which she’s overseen for the financial institution. During her tenure at the investment giant, she’s also been involved in keeping diversity a key component of GS’s hiring policy.

Asian immigrants Diane Chow and her spouse, Michael, have established a name and culinary reputation for themselves with a series of restaurants not only in Philadelphia but extending to the nearby ’burbs as well. Part of their outreach has been offering employment to others who’ve left their native lands and are searching for a better opportunity in the City of Brotherly Love.

Barrister Alberto Ibargüen, a Penn Law School grad, was the recipient of WCNP’s Dennis Clark Solas Award. Though raised in New Jersey, the native of Puerto Rico has roots embedded in Philadelphia from his time as a Penn Law matriculate. Now using his multiple talents on behalf of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, as well as sitting on the boards of other nonprofits, Ibargüen thanked WCNP for the honor of becoming the 2017 Solas designee. The accomplished gent appeared almost awestruck to be receiving the prestigious accolades, humbled by what it meant.

Have a knack for inclusion, a language or helping newcomers become acquainted with Philly and what it has to offer? Make contact with WCNP at 215557-2626 or via their website info@welcomingcenter.org. This is the City of Brotherly Love.

Diego Ibargüen of Edgewater, N.J., meets some of the evening’s sponsors and hosts including Nina Chen and Sue Scirica and her husband, Anthony Scirica, who is a senior judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Former Main Liner Leslie Benoliel arrives at the Solas Awards with Souraghata Semega of the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center and Herman Nyamunga, director of Global Enterprises at the Welcoming Center.

Trion Group representative Ron Encarnacion of King of Prussia and Connie Alessi of Springfield sample the buffet selections before the program begins.

Eric Langenmayr of Bryn Mawr and his associate Mike Hallden-Abberton of Maple Glen have a mini-meeting as the party commences.

Marcos Lopez of Narberth, eXude Inc. president and CEO, along with his wife, Andrea, encounter Susan Gunn of Wyndmoor and her husband, Sandy.

News publisher Hernan Guaracao talks shop with John Smith of Villanova.

Tony Ibargüen of Devon enjoys a moment with one of his relatives, Michael Ibargüen, of Chester Springs.

Sarah and Ray Ibargüen of Chester Springs stop to speak with Susan Ibargüen of Devon.

Martin Ruffert of Berlin, Germany learns more about the Solas Awards and the French American Chamber of Commerce from Belmont resident Blandine Chantepie-Kari.