As we near the end of an especially challenging year for our refugee and immigrant neighbors, we at IINE are deeply grateful for our community of supporters. Since January, we have seen changes in federal policy close legal immigration pathways, revoke immigrants’ ability to legally stay and work in the U.S., limit their access to food and healthcare, and instill widespread fear and uncertainty.
In response, our donors have stepped up. Their support helps ensure that we can continue to fight for the rights and protection of the thousands of refugees and immigrants in our care—and that New England remains a welcoming community, rich with opportunity for all.
Read on to hear from IINE community members on what compels them to give.
With the current political environment, it feels even more critical to support immigrants. We need immigrants, and they deserve our help. No matter what comes, we are committed to continuing our support.
Nancy Van Zant, Long-time Supporter
IINE understands the dignity in achieving self-sufficiency and being able to pursue one’s goals, and so our support extends beyond the initial resettlement to ensure refugees and immigrants have a chance to learn English, gain new skills, pursue careers, and gain citizenship. I think this focus on both immediate needs and long-term success is really critical.
Tuan Ha-Ngoc, Board Member
In today’s climate of intolerance and narrow-mindedness…I feel that organizations like IINE are vitally important. I am happy that IINE continues to provide services for people coming to the U.S. to find safety and improve their lives. It is important to see people as human beings and not as ‘other.’ Thank you for the work you do to help people in need.
Anonymous Donor
These days, I’m thinking a lot about what I can do to help the populations who are being disproportionately affected by the current presidential administration. I can write checks, I can support lawyers and advocates, and I can attend protests, and through organizations like IINE, I can have a direct impact. That feels important.
Leigh Bivings, Leadership Council Member
I first came to the U.S. in 1996. It wasn’t until 2013 that I became a citizen. Those 17 years in between were incredibly frustrating – having to constantly change my status, travel to renew visas, and hope that I wouldn’t be denied for some bureaucratic issue. There was a real lack of security.
Compared to IINE’s clients, however, my path was very easy. Our clients face so much instability. [Supporting] IINE is an opportunity to support refugees and immigrants in their journeys, to hopefully ease some of their worries once they arrive in the U.S. I am very fortunate to be in a position where I immigrated and have been able to establish myself. It feels important to give back to the next wave of immigrants.
Natalya Belonozhko, Board Member
The true spirit of America, unaffected by political winds, shines through in helping refugees – thank you.
Damaris Tyler, Donor
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Refugees and immigrants come to the U.S. after enduring unimaginable hardships. You can give them the help they need to rebuild their lives here.
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