How do we make new arrivals to East Wilco feel welcome?

“What I like to do when I find out somebody’s new around here, I usually advise them to (go to) the local coffee shop. Vintage Arts Coffeehouse & Bistro in Granger is a great little hangout ... (And) I love our school system over here because it’s so small. Everybody knows everybody. Everybody can get together.”

— CYDNEY TREVINO, GRANGER

“As far as us welcoming people … we try to ... show the excitement and enthusiasm and to show them the area and invite them on our weekly bike rides. ‘Did you check out this new place yet? It’s really cool.’ Try to share a little bit of local knowledge with them.”

— SHANNON GREEN, CO-OWNER OF TAYLOR BIKE CO., TAYLOR

“The way that I felt we were welcomed was … business owners coming in and saying, ‘This is something different, very new,’ very excited about it, but also a lot of the locals coming by and expressing the same thing— which is having that sheer joy of seeing new faces and being excited for something else ... Just that overwhelming love and appreciation we got right away was, ‘You’re welcome here. You’re really here! We’re really excited.’ A smile and a wave.”

— EDDIE CHAVEZ, CO-OWNER OF TAYLOR BIKE CO., TAYLOR

“Well, there are lots of welcoming social groups already in Taylor. Folks who come here as new residents have to do a little bit of looking and they’ll have no problem finding folks who will welcome them with open arms. There are also lots of community organizations that you can volunteer with, like the (Greater Taylor) Chamber of Commerce or local charities, and that’s a great place to meet people.”

— RUSS HUNT, TAYLOR

“I think if some of these wonderful, open-minded, kind citizens form (a) kind of a committee and reach out, first maybe with an email or a phone call, and have a group of people who are willing to visit with new residents (and) let them know the basics of the town. Let them know where the good places to eat and things like that are. And I’m saying that because when we first moved out here two years ago, it was really tumbleweeds the first year. … I think, if there was a more consolidated effort to reach out and welcome (arrivals), I think that would just make the city that much more enticing. Especially since we’re going to have so many people coming here.” 

— LESLIE HUNT, TAYLOR