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Manchester2023-09-27T16:04:45-04:00

Manchester, NH

About Our Manchester Site

The Manchester site provides vital support and assistance to Manchester’s refugee and immigrant communities. Upon arrival in New Hampshire, refugees are welcomed and guided by the International Institute of New England through the beginning phases of the integration process. IINE provides an array of support services starting with the initial resettlement program that lasts for a short 90 days. Support services are focused on helping refugees and immigrants successfully transition into their new lives in the United States and include job placements and workforce development services, school and classroom support for refugee children and youth, cultural adjustment programming, English language instruction, case management, and extended case management support for individuals working to overcome additional barriers to successful integration. 

History

In 1984, faith leaders in New Hampshire welcomed refugees from Cambodia, and in 1987, they formed a resettlement agency that eventually became known as the International Institute of New Hampshire. In 2001, the Manchester site combined with the Boston site, which was established in 1924, and the Lowell site, which was established in 1918 to form one consolidated organization – The International Institute of New England.  

Today, our Manchester site includes 50 staff, who provide a range of services to over 700 clients annually.

Manchester Site Programs & Services

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT

Reception and welcoming of refugees in the Manchester and Nashua communities. Resettlement includes an intensive 30day initial period to provide and help connect families with housing, access to health care, education, financial resources, and cultural support among other relevant services. 

CASE MANAGEMENT

Support services to remove barriers to self-sufficiency, by facilitating access to health insurance and health care, education, employment programs, and public benefits. 

mother and child with American flag

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Trained program staff screen potential applicants and provide classroom preparation and pro bono services to eligible legal permanent residents with the naturalization process. 

REFUGEE SCHOOL IMPACT

In partnership with the Manchester School District and New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, academic and social adjustment support for refugee children entering and graduating from K-12 education. 

Construction class

EMPLOYMENT

Job preparation, training, search, placement, and retention services that help refugees and immigrants prepare for and access quality jobs and careers. 

ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL)

Contextualized vocational ESOL program that helps clients acquire English language and literacy skills as well as vocational training in partnership with area employers. Both day and evening classes are available for literacy, beginner and intermediate levels focusing on college and career readiness.  

Lowell classroom

INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT (IDA)

A matched savings program that helps participants identify financial goals, build healthy saving habits, and invest in their future. 

Virtual translator

PINPOINT LANGUAGE TRANSLATION SERVICES

A diverse local team and national network of interpreters and translators provide interpretation and document/website translation in over 300 languages. 

Nursing students

SKILLS TRAINING

Job-training program that provides practical skills training for immigrants looking to launch careers in healthcare.

AMERICORPS RISE PROGRAM

Members equip refugees and immigrants with transportation and technology skills to be socially empowered in their day-to-day lives. Interested in becoming a member? Click here!

Meet Our Managing Director, Manchester

Henry brings an entrepreneurial approach to macro level social work building strong partnerships in the community and connecting IINE clients to pathways of opportunity. 

Henry has worked with at-risk youth and families for over 20 years. As a clinical foster care social worker Henry specialized in a unique blend of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Outdoor Adventure-Based Learning techniques helping to create positive experiences and life skills for youth in crisis. 

Working for the Annie E. Casey Foundation Henry was the Director of the Franklin Family Resource Center, located in each of the city’s schools. The centers ran year round providing K-12 afterschool programing and provided families and individuals with mental health counseling, financial education workshops and connected people to supports and resources in the community. 

Eight years prior to coming to IINE Henry was the Client Services Director for Southern New Hampshire Services / Community Action and worked to create a strong referral network of community partnerships across Hillsborough & Rockingham Counties that help support and empower low-income families to thrive. 

Henry holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rivier University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire. Henry lives in Manchester with his wife and son. 

Manchester site related news

Refugee Youth Spend Summer Exploring, Learning, and Bonding

This summer, refugee youth in Lowell, Massachusetts and Manchester, New Hampshire who participated in IINE programs throughout the year had the opportunity to stay engaged during the school break. With staff and volunteers, they [...]

A Joyous Welcome

Habimana Kabera and Leniya Mukamuganga met in the Democratic Republic of Congo and soon had to flee violence in their home country. Arriving in a refugee camp in Rwanda, they had seven children, now ages 7 [...]

The difference between two Mondays

After a momentous weekend, our staff returned to work—either virtually or in person—yesterday. Here’s what their Monday looked like: In Boston, a member of the Employment team helped an immigrant client file an application for unemployment. They [...]

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