International Institute of New England

From 1954-1964, the International Institute of Boston (IIB) continued to welcome and resettle refugees and immigrants fleeing from conflicts and political instability around the world, including the Hungarian uprising and the Cuban revolution. IIB also continued its work to advocate at the federal level, seeking support from newly elected President John F. Kennedy to make changes to the xenophobic McCarran-Walter Act. Today, IINE continues to advocate on the behalf of refugees and immigrants we support in their journey to build a better life in New England. 📜 Learn more about this decade in the fifth installment of our series, “100 Years of Welcome: Commemorating IINE’s Boston Centennial.” Read the blog: https://hubs.li/Q02DDVG80 #immigrantswelcome #refugeeswelcome #bostoncentennial #IINEBostonCentennial #100yearsofwelcome #IINEBoston100

📣 Join us Thursday, July 25 from 4-5 PM for our virtual #townhall “Healthy, Safe, and Empowered: Redefining the Resettlement Experience for Refugee Women and Girls.” ♀️ Learn more about the unique challenges faced by refugee women and girls during the resettlement process from President & CEO Jeff Thielman and Chief Advancement Officer & SVP Alexandra Weber, and hear from the Managing Directors across our three offices, alongside Health Promotion Case Specialist Furaha Nyirakundo, about the tailored programming IINE has developed to ensure women and girls find a fresh start and a promising future in our communities. Register today: https://hubs.li/Q02Dpv5t0 #refugeewomen #refugeegirls #refugeeresettlement #refugeesupport #refugeeswelcome #refugeesarewelcomehere #refugees #empowerwomen #empowergirls #girlpower

“It’s great to see how our ancestors dedicated themselves to their work,” said Courtney Good, IINE Talent Acquisition Specialist, who shared her third great grandfather’s journey from Cologne, Germany to the U.S. to become the leading veterinarian in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ✨ This #ImmigrantHeritageMonth, Courtney and Lowell Managing Director Caroline Rowe honored members of their family who exemplify the spirit of America, as a country of immigrants. 💖 Join us in honoring those who came before us and help enrich our nation, and please consider giving to support future generations of immigrants: https://hubs.li/Q02DgXzT0 #myimmigrantstory #IINEhonors #immigrantheritagemonth2024 #honoryourheritage #immigrantswelcome #refugeeswelcome

Last chance to give for our #WorldRefugeeDay Day of Giving! Give in honor those who came before us, like Isabel’s family, and support refugee youth, like Ungaye, to help them pursue their dreams! ✨💖 Donate today to help us reach our goal of $25,000 in honor of the bravery, resilience, and contributions of refugees: https://hubs.li/Q02CS0k10  #myimmigrantstory #IINEhonors #immigrantheritagemonth2024 #honoryourheritage #immigrantswelcome #refugeeswelcome #worldrefugeeday #refugeeswelcome

#WorldRefugeeDay is almost over! Don’t miss the chance to give in honor of those who came before us, like Isabel’s family, and to ensure refugee youth like Ungaye receive the support they need to thrive and give back to their new communities! ✨💖 Give today: https://hubs.li/Q02CJ3CB0  #myimmigrantstory #IINEhonors #immigrantheritagemonth2024 #honoryourheritage #immigrantswelcome #refugeeswelcome #worldrefugeeday #refugeeswelcome

“Sometimes I tried to give up, but I had people around me to keep encouraging me,” said Ungaye, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who arrived in Lowell with his brother in 2019. We provided the brothers with an apartment, helped Ungaye enroll in English language classes, and introduced him to our Refugee Youth Program, which provides learning and socializing opportunities for young people aged 15 to 25. Surrounded by a supportive community, Ungaye worked hard to receive his high-school equivalency diploma, passed the Medical Interpreter exam, completed Community Health Worker training, and is now pursuing an associate degree in Business Administration at Middlesex Community College. Ungaye is a powerful example of our youth’s resilience and determination. ✨ This #WorldRefugeeDay, join us in empowering refugee youth. 💖 Give today: https://hubs.li/Q02CH4T00  #myimmigrantstory #IINEhonors #immigrantheritagemonth2024 #honoryourheritage #immigrantswelcome #refugeeswelcome #worldrefugeeday #refugeeswelcome

“It feels very full circle...My grandmother passed the same year I accepted the role, and it felt like she had put me on that path. I had known I wanted to help people, and then I found IINE,” said IINE Youth Services Manager Isabel Goes, whose own family was helped by IINE in 1960 when they arrived from Portugal, seeking a better life for their family. 🇺🇸 This #WorldRefugeeDay, we honor those who have made difficult journeys to build brighter futures. 💗 Give today to help us reach our goal of $25,000 and ensure the next generation of newcomers has the support they need to start fresh: https://hubs.li/Q02Cmts_0 #myimmigrantstory #IINEhonors #immigrantheritagemonth2024 #honoryourheritage #immigrantswelcome #refugeeswelcome #worldrefugeeday #refugeeswelcome

Today, on Juneteenth, we commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. On this important holiday, we celebrate the freedom of Black people in our nation and commit ourselves to championing equity, equality, and justice for all. In the spirit of Juneteenth and to better serve our clients, who arrive from countries across Africa and the Caribbean, our Boston staff recently went on a tour of the Boston Black Heritage Trail, which explores Beacon Hill's history as a hub for abolitionists and Black leaders in Boston. They learned about Boston's legacy of assisting those in search of freedom through the Underground Railroad. Staff were particularly interested in learning about Lewis and Harriet Hayden, who were critical in helping people who escaped slavery pass through Boston on their way to Canada. #Juneteenth #juneteenthcelebration #Juneteenth2024 #blackhistory #africanamericanhistory #history #bostonhistory

“I commend them for making the sacrifice and leaving their homeland behind, and for their continued determination, perseverance, and endeavors to go above and beyond what's expected,” Amer, an Employment Case Specialist said of his parents and sister, who fled Bosnia during the war. IINE staff Amer and Angela share who they honor this #ImmigrantHeritageMonth. Join us in recognizing our loved ones who made the difficult decision to leave their homelands behind in pursuit of a better life for their families: https://hubs.li/Q02C3nPc0 #myimmigrantstory #IINEhonors #immigrantheritagemonth2024 #honoryourheritage #immigrantswelcome #refugeeswelcome

🚨 Donations Needed 🚨 Help provide basic life necessities for refugees and immigrants, including groceries, bed sheets, toothbrushes, shampoo, and more. Please consider donating the most needed items for newcomers working to rebuild their lives in New England, including those in M.A.'s emergency shelter system. You can also purchase essential items through our Amazon Wish Lists, which IINE staff have tailored across our locations. Access our Amazon Wish Lists for Boston, Lowell, and Manchester, N.H., and contact Volunteer Coordinators here: https://hubs.li/Q02BMGc80 #donationsneeded #donationdrive #donatetoday #lifenecessities #giftcards #basicnecessities #BasicNeeds #AmazonWishList #amazonwishlist #immigrantshelters Thank you very much!💝