Lisa Gardner, City Council Director of Communications and Community Engagement, No Phone Number Available
Friday, May 22, 2026 at 2:28 p.m.
Alex Gibilisco (bottom right) and Betsy Wilkerson (center) with Spokane city officials and staff during a 2024 training on building belonging in Spokane, Washington.
Recently, Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson and Council Office Equity and Inclusion Initiative Manager Alex Gibilisco contributed to an article from the University of California, Berkeley, on the concept of "places of belonging" and their significant impact on individuals and communities, including the City of Spokane.
The article highlights how Spokane’s City Council allocated $100,000 to support immigrant families, directing resources to community-based organizations that provide direct aid. It also established immigration-enforcement-free zones, limiting the city’s role in federal immigration enforcement, and restricted the development of new detention centers. These measures aim to ensure that immigrant communities feel safe accessing services and can fully participate in civic life.
Additionally, the article illustrates how organizations and initiatives are creating and supporting these spaces, ultimately advocating for a more inclusive society where everyone feels they truly belong. This piece serves as a reminder of the transformative power of belonging and the collective efforts needed to cultivate these essential places.
To read more about Belonging in Action, visit the Impact Story: Belonging in Action | Othering & Belonging Institute webpage
In Spokane
We All Belong
