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Author: Danielle Gauthier

“I Always Want to Give Back”: Suraj Budathoki’s Journey from a Refugee Camp to the NH Statehouse 

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Boston, Client Stories, Refugee Resettlement.

In November of 2024, Suraj Budathoki was elected to represent Hillsborough County District 40 in the New Hampshire State House, becoming the first Bhutanese-American State Representative in U.S. history. In his acceptance speech, Suraj said his victory was “the culmination of 16 years of dedication, resilience, and commitment to this community.” 

 In a recent interview, Suraj spoke to IINE about this journey. 

Learning Resilience 

Suraj became a refugee at the age of nine when the Bhutanese government suddenly stripped members of the Nepalese-speaking Lhotshampa minority of their citizenship and drove them from their homes. He spent the next nearly twenty years of his life in a refugee camp in Nepal.  

Suraj says his time there “taught me a lot; the resilience, the continuity to do things and not give up.”  

When he finally arrived in the U.S. after decades of waiting, he landed in Atlanta, Georgia. He recalls seeing a group of people at the airport handing out gifts to arriving children. “There is compassion for immigrants and refugees here,” he remembers thinking.   

Still, life was far from easy. Suraj arrived with a bachelor’s degree and a nearly-completed master’s degree but soon found himself working two full-time jobs for minimum wage—a day shift at a fast-food restaurant followed by an overnight shift stocking grocery shelves. It was difficult to save or build a social life.  

Work and Welcome in Manchester 

Suraj was excited when a friend from home told him about his life up north in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he had been resettled by the International Institute of New England. Manchester was smaller and easier to navigate. Jobs there offered better starting pay, and through IINE, Suraj could train to become a Licensed Nursing Assistant within a month.  

He was sold. In 2009, Suraj moved to Manchester, “and that’s what I did! I finished the Licensed Nursing Assistant program and then within two months, I got my license! The Employment team helped me get a job and after that I’ve been working with IINE for many, many years.” 

Suraj took to New Hampshire right away. “The mountains and the green vegetation resemble my small town in Bhutan,” he says, and compared to the sprawl of Atlanta, the compactness of Manchester was closer to the life he knew in Nepal. As in Atlanta, he took on two full-time jobs, but these he found more meaningful and in line with his goals. One was at a rehabilitation center for adults with traumatic brain injuries. The second one was to train adults who hadn’t completed high school to create resumes and help them find jobs.  

These early jobs helped Suraj build up his English skills. He soon went back to school at Manchester Community College and then transferred to Southern New Hampshire University to study Political Science.  

“Then life took off.” 

Building Community 

Suraj (center) has advocated for peace in Bhutan throughout his career

With his newfound confidence and vision, Suraj co-founded Bhutanese Community New Hampshire (BCNH), a non-profit dedicated to helping fellow Bhutanese refugees to integrate and thrive. He served briefly as the organization’s first executive director and then joined its board.  

“My first focus was learning to get grants,” Suraj says, and he still vividly remembers the story of his first submission, trudging through the rain to hand off his big envelope in-person, and then waiting months for a response. Finally, he heard back that he had won $6,000 for his mission. He was thrilled.  

With practice, he became more and more adept at grant writing, securing grants as large as $1 million.  

“I was able to hire 23 staff! Can you believe it?” 

Even more exciting was turning the funding into medical care, mental health services, and employment support for his community. BCNH formed a close partnership with IINE, who referred newly resettled Bhutanese clients for additional support. As it grew, BCNH expanded its mission to accept clients from additional countries and changed to its current name: Building Community New Hampshire.  

Feeling the Bern 

In 2016, Suraj was able to exercise his political science muscles when the presidential campaign of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders opened a field office in New Hampshire.  

“It was my first time working on a campaign and I got the second-highest post for New Hampshire! That was my first opportunity to get to know Bernie, his team, and the people of New Hampshire. I was so privileged to work on his campaign and travel a lot across the state.” 
 
Suraj says that talking to people throughout the state had a profound effect on him. “I heard a lot of people’s often painful stories, and I could relate from when I was in a refugee camp…It’s not having money to pay rent; the cold; not enough food for the elderly who invested their life making America better, supported their kids growing up, when they were young and then paid taxes, and at the end of the life they have nothing to enjoy.” 

Suraj decided to tackle these issues head-on at the community level. His founded Bloom and Shine, LLC, a human services agency that provides in-home behavioral and physical healthcare to New Hampshire seniors. 
 
“I felt I needed to do something, and Bloom and Shine is something. Providing caregiver services to the elderly and disabled, it’s something I feel proud of.” 

Pursuing Peace 

While deepening his roots in his new community, Suraj was also studying international development, completing a master’s degree from Norwich University, and beginning a Ph.D. program at Saybrook University with a focus on conflict resolution. His research revealed clear historical patterns of opposing sides in ethnic conflicts becoming increasingly entrenched in their mutual opposition as suffering increased. 

“I saw that happen in Bhutan in the ‘90s. My Ph.D. is on how to find a solution. How can we transform that adversarial relationship into a conducive, friendly relationship? As I did more research on conflict resolution and negotiations, I found that there are peacebuilding and reconciliation methods that can bring two conflicting parties together.” 

Inspired by his research, he launched the Peace Initiative for Bhutan (PIB). 

“I talked to many young Bhutanese-Americans, college students, and other like-minded individuals, and they also had the same kind of idea. We came together to form this peace initiative. The approach is distinct from what our leaders did in the past. We are not doing this to win—to defeat the other side. We’re doing this to find common ground—to resolve through dialogue.” 

The goal of the initiative is to heal relations between the nation of Bhutan and its refugee diaspora. This reconciliation would allow Bhutanese refugees to return home in peace to reunite their loved ones.  

Members of the Peace Initiative Bhutan on the trip to D.C.

The first step for PIB was to draft their own peace plan and send it directly to the king of Bhutan. When they didn’t receive a response, they posted their plan online and alerted the press. Next, to draw further attention, they got the U.S. government involved. Suraj traveled to Washington D.C. and lobbied to get both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to introduce resolutions calling for reconciliation.  

Bhutan began to listen. 

“We did a couple of rounds of informal dialogue with people inside Bhutan, also some parliamentarians,” Suraj says. “This has never happened before with other approaches. Our method is based on mutual respect, based on love to the other side.” 

The People’s House 

Suraj’s success with the Bernie Sanders campaign, his empathy for the struggles of working people in New Hampshire, and his progress with PIB all inspired him to make his own run for the State House of Representatives. His victory was a huge source of inspiration for fellow Bhutanese refugees. New Americans Magazine reported, “Suraj’s win quickly became a sensation on social media, sparking pride and celebration across the Bhutanese diaspora, which includes former refugees resettled across eight Western countries. Bhutanese-American social media platforms lit up with messages of pride, congratulatory posts, and reflections on the significance of this victory.” 

While ever hopeful, Suraj is learning about the challenges of belonging to a minority party in a state legislature. 

“We don’t have much say in any bills or regulations. We don’t have that power. We do share what we think, what we believe would bring positive change, but supporting the middle class or poor community is not what always gets attention. It feels painful when we see bills cutting support to the elderly, to the university system, to special education, and many others in New Hampshire.” 

Suraj is committed to speaking up for vulnerable constituents, but sometimes he worries about others’ misconceptions of his background and journey.  

“I testified in one of the committees against a bill, and I told them my success story. I came here as a refugee. 100 people work in my company. I’m going to college. I paid this much in taxes, etc…People may feel I’m taking their space. They see themselves working day and night, but I came here a few years ago, and now here I am running a company and a state representative. They may not understand the human side, the hard work, of what we as immigrants do here.”   

He wishes more people understood about his time working two jobs for minimum wage to build a foundation, missing many nights of sleep and the family he left behind at the refugee camp. 

But like his Peace Initiative, he sees his political work as an experiment and says that his political career is “just getting started.” In the arc of his career, it’s one more way to heed the calling he first heard back in the refugee camp in Nepal. 

“The international community, the United States and many other countries, they helped us a lot. We were not able to go to work outside of the camp, and we were fed and supported by many Western countries…We always feel we should give back for those many years we were given—and that’s the call—I always want to give back to the community. Whatever I’m doing now, being a State Representative or running this home health care business, it’s always supporting community, providing employment and uplift.”  

•••

Refugees and immigrants make long, difficult journeys to escape violence and rebuild their lives in the U.S. You can give them the help they need. 

Atefa's Story

Atefa’s Story: With Ongoing Support, a Young Refugee Builds a Brighter Future

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Afghan Refugees, Blog, Client Stories, Lowell, Refugee Resettlement, Youth Programming.

Atefa’s story is featured in our Spotlight Report: Who We Can Serve and How in a Rapidly Shifting Landscape. Click here to read the full Spotlight.

When the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan, Atefa, her mother, and three brothers escaped their home, resettling as refugees in Lowell in 2022. As the eldest sibling, Atefa quickly took on adult responsibilities. She became her family’s interpreter and spokesperson at doctor’s visits and school appointments – all while balancing learning an entirely new culture and language.  

At first, school was frustrating for Atefa. In Afghanistan, she had already begun college, but her high school transcripts were among the many possessions she had to leave behind, and without them, she had to begin her American education as a freshman at Lowell High School. Still, she stayed focused and determined. For support, she went to nearly every tutoring session provided by IINE’s Refugee Youth Mentoring program, bringing her brothers along to make sure they progressed as well. That year, Atefa earned honors recognition for her grades. 

During her junior year, Atefa began exploring the college application process. When IINE’s Youth team advised her to join extracurricular activities to stand out, she became a student ambassador, helping fellow newcomers adjust to life in Lowell. Her leadership and service led to her acceptance into the National Honor Society in her senior year.  

That summer, Atefa went back to her IINE mentors for guidance, and they suggested volunteer work. In addition to working at a grocery store, participating in school groups, and helping her family, she began giving back to support other IINE clients. She delivered fresh produce and packaged goods to families, provided interpretation, and peer-tutored fellow refugee youth.  

Atefa’s relentless dedication was rewarded when she was accepted to four colleges! She chose the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she will study civil engineering starting in the fall of 2025. As she prepares for this next chapter, she continues to reach out to the IINE Youth Team for guidance on class selection, financial aid, and housing. 

•••

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. 

In New Hampshire, Investing in English Language Classes Makes Everyone’s Healthcare Better

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Client Stories, Community Partners, ESOL, Job Skills Training, Manchester.

A Healthcare Success Story

As in much of the country, if you live in New Hampshire and you need medical care, you’re likely to get help from some people who began their lives in other countries. Immigrants and refugees make up about 18% of the U.S. healthcare workforce. In New Hampshire, they make about 7% and are particularly prevalent in patient-facing roles, such as home healthcare aides, drivers, cleaners, and food preparers. They’re the people who help you feel comfortable, safe, and cared for when you’re at your most vulnerable.  

These are roles for which there are dangerous shortages in New Hampshire, a state with a rapidly aging population. It’s an urgent need that creates an opportunity for newcomers seeking entry-level jobs that may not require a local work history and more than basic English skills.  

“Matching newcomers with New Hampshire healthcare employers has been a real success story in general,” says Kayla Rossmeissl, IINE’s Director of Program Design and Evaluation. “Employers are getting fast-learning, resilient, highly motivated workers, who have the benefit of IINE to help support their orientation and development. Our clients often say they’re excited to be helping people in their times of need and giving back to the community that’s welcomed them.” 

A Desire for Investment

In 2019, Kayla helped develop LNA for Success—an IINE skills training program that combines English language instruction, vocational training, higher education partnerships, and apprenticeship, to help prepare immigrants and refugees for the job of Licensed Nursing Assistant. She says that in promoting this program over the next few years, IINE discovered a real desire for greater investment.  

“We had been doing a lot of community presentations and working closely with [LNA for Success partner] Manchester Community College. We started to discover a lot more partners who are looking for ways to help get refugees and immigrants more economically stable—career laddering, higher paying jobs, things like that.” 

She also found healthcare providers looking to invest in their immigrant employees. At one networking event, representatives from two local hospitals sought her out. 

“They were just like, ‘Kayla, I heard you set up these ESOL programs. Can we chat?’ From there, we were all brainstorming to come up with a program to help their workers.” 

Both hospitals were interested in paying their employees to deepen their English language skills during the workday, through on-site, workplace-focused English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. 

“Which is amazing,” Kayla says, “because a lot of families are juggling multiple part-time jobs and childcare, and wouldn’t otherwise have time to take classes.” 

Kayla wasted no time in developing a curriculum for a pilot “ESOL 4 Healthcare” program, conducting interviews with partners to learn about their goals and challenges.  

“They wanted to see people become more confident in speaking English, because even though they are in environmental services [maintenance], they do greet the patients in their rooms, and they interact with other staff in the hospital, like their supervisors. So, having more confidence in communication, being able to read and write emails, improving digital literacy skills, and navigating internal systems like clocking in and out—these were all things we could help with that could improve everyone’s experience.” 

Gaining Confidence

“I would say for me personally, what I see in the students, cohort after cohort, is confidence,” says Becky Marden, Director of Workforce Development at Elliot Hospital in Manchester.  
 
“In their evaluations, they’ll say things like, ‘I’ve gained the confidence to say hello to my manager in the morning, whereas before I might just have avoided eye contact,’ and things like that. And that’s what inspires me to keep pushing for this class and making it better every cohort.” 

Having helped develop the concept, Elliot Hospital is now in its third year of ESOL 4 Healthcare. Becky says that she’s frequently blown away by the improvement that Elliot’s English language learners make in listening, reading, and writing skills over the course of a cohort—which spans two hours/day, six days/week for sixteen weeks, an impressive investment of staff time. In addition to the improvement in workplace communication and staff-patient relationships, she says that Elliot is gratified to be able to provide some meaningful support to some truly impressive people, which, in the most recent cohort, were six students from six different countries. 

“For me it’s also about the social contacts outside of work—they can use email or finally set up a bank account for the first time. These are some of the most resilient and hardworking employees we have. I could never go to another country and work someplace and not speak the language. I would just be so frustrated. And yet they’ve done it and they’re working in our community.” 

Becky says her CEO shares this feeling. After attending an ESOL 4 Healthcare graduation, he invited several of the recent graduates to a Board Meeting so that the hospital’s leadership could meet them, and they could showcase their new English skills. For Becky, the next step is developing apprenticeship programs within the hospital to help English language learners on staff to advance in their careers there.  

“Some of them have healthcare experience from their previous country. We had a nurse practitioner in one program. We had a labor and delivery nurse in another, and they just want to work in the healthcare field. Their credentials don’t come over, their education doesn’t come over, but here they are, sometimes cleaning toilets just so they can be in healthcare. How do we get them back to the bedside? ‘Cause that’s where we need them.” 

This is the Future

Elliot Hospital is currently one of nine IINE ESOL 4 Healthcare partners, and the number is growing quickly. They include providers offering mental health care, senior assisted living, and more. One new partner, Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital, offers English classes remotely to reach student in more rural areas, and has developed apprenticeships in Phlebotomy and Lab Tech.  

“I’ve got five more in the queue!” says Kayla. “I really think this is the future. There’s a lot of interest in bridging the gap. There’s tremendous need here, from people who can really benefit from these kinds of jobs, and from employers who are always interested in a stable source of new staff members who come to them recommended and supported.” 

Investing in job training opportunities for refugees and immigrants creates a stronger workforce for us all. Help newcomers grow their careers and our economy by donating to IINE today.

Immigrants in the U.S. Workforce

Quiz: Immigrants in the U.S. Workforce

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in FEATURED. No Comments on Quiz: Immigrants in the U.S. Workforce

Test your knowledge of the role immigrants play in the U.S. workforce with this quiz.  

1 / 5

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2024, what percentage of the U.S. workforce were immigrants? 

2 / 5

What percentage of the total U.S. healthcare workforce are immigrants?

3 / 5

Besides healthcare, which of the following roles are significantly filled by immigrants in the U.S.?

4 / 5

All immigrants residing in the U.S. contribute to the U.S. tax base. About how much tax revenue did immigrants generate in 2023?

5 / 5

When immigrants lose their work authorization or are forced to leave the country, what typically happens to the jobs they leave behind?

Your score is

The average score is 59%

0%

Soccer blog

Shared Goals: How Refugees and Immigrants Bond Through Soccer

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Boston, Client Stories, Community Partners, Lowell, Manchester, Youth Programming.

It’s the most popular sport in the world. You can play it in a schoolyard, a gym, a park, or even a refugee camp. You don’t need expensive equipment or to even agree if it’s called “soccer,” “futbol,” or something else entirely. You just need a ball, a goal, and a group of fellow players. Once you start playing together, you tend to become friends. For these reasons, “the beautiful game” is providing some beautiful opportunities for IINE clients to connect with one another across backgrounds. 

A Clinic for Lowell Youth 

IINE Youth Program Manager Isabel Goes says she’s noticed a clear pattern: “Anytime we talk about sports when we first meet with clients, it’s like, ‘OK, well, does that mean like, soccer?!‘” Her clients are definitely fans. She remembers one showing up to a workshop in head-to-toe Cristiano Ronaldo gear, and the delight of clients unwrapping soccer gear at a holiday gift swap.  

Olf (L) stopping by IINE’s offices to donate soccer equipment to refugee youth

When she decided to organize a youth soccer clinic last June, she knew she’d have plenty of support. Her first call was to Olf Mouyaka, a former refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who grew up in Lowell after being resettled by IINE, and recently founded a soccer-based youth development program called the Football Leadership Organization. Olf had donated soccer equipment to IINE in the past and had experience running clinics.  

Next, to recruit participants, she turned to her colleague Yusuf Abdi. Yusuf’s official job is as IINE’s Career Services Manager, but after hours, he puts tremendous effort and passion into organizing community pick-up soccer games for IINE clients and other members of Lowell’s immigrant community.

“He was like, ‘I already have all these clients coming out for soccer,’ so I said, ‘OK, well, send them our way, have them join us for an official youth program!’” 

Yusuf did just that, and he showed up in his favorite jersey with his son in tow so they could both join in the fun. The clinic was a success, and for Yusuf, it was just the tip of the iceberg. 

“Everyone Show Up at the Park!”

“In the summer, I try to do it six days a week,” Yusuf says, “and I wash all the pinnies after each game!” That’s no small commitment, but he plans to keep it up “as long as I’m helping youth, doing something good, and making them feel a sense of social connection.” 

A former refugee from Somalia, Yusuf has been a passionate soccer fan all his life. As an adult living in Lowell, he joined an indoor recreational league organized by members of the local Cambodian community. He saw some familiar faces in the stands, and again at a regular game organized by member of the West African community: “The youth just came to watch, and I said, hey, they want to run around and play too…so I told them, ‘OK, I will bring the pinnies, soccer balls, and goal posts. Everyone show up at the park!'” 

Yusuf ordered the equipment and continued to recruit participants, including clients who he knew were between jobs and needed an outlet and some social connection.  

Yusuf (center) arranges regular soccer games for clients to have fun, grow their English skills, and build community

To organize meetups, he checked the availability of public parks and then created a Facebook group and a WhatsApp chat moderated by a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who is able to translate messages into French and Portuguese.  

His meetups bring out people of all ages and backgrounds, “Each day the language changes some. You may hear a lot of Swahili, a lot of Portuguese, or a lot of Haitian Creole.”  

Together they play informal, tournament-style games. On Fridays, two local coaches, Coach Kwezi from Ghana and Coach Hugo from Guatemala, show up to offer instruction, run drills, and lead more structured games. Yusuf shares video clips of games in the WhatsApp channel, so players can celebrate their successes and learn from their mistakes. 

Though the language barrier can be challenging at first, everyone understands the basics.  

“Everyone can kick and everyone can try to score. Everyone is quiet when they arrive, but their faces are different when the game ends—happy smiles.” 

In fact, the games give players a great chance to practice their English skills without thinking about it too much, and players form bonds quickly.  

“They chat, and some of them, they’re not able to communicate, but they try. You know, ‘Why’d you miss the ball?’ ‘You should pass to me.’ And some build confidence. You can see players become happier over time, come out of isolation. Their lives begin to change. That drives me.” 

Specifically, Yusuf says clients became inspired by friends they’ve met on the soccer field to follow their lead in steps like pursuing GEDs or higher education.  

Yusuf loves the mentorship, community, and social connection the sport offers – no matter a player’s age.   

“I’m in my 40s. I’m not like a youth of 18 or 20, but I’m still engaged. Soccer is a language that doesn’t require much talking, it’s more of action, and it builds trust. When I’m playing with a group from Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Liberia who don’t know me, they get to know me, I become a friend of theirs. That’s how you get connected.” 

Balling in Boston

According to IINE Volunteer & Donations Specialist Emily Dionne, in Boston, the idea of convening some regular pick-up soccer in the park came from super-volunteer, Suraj Chaudhry of Newton South High School.  

“Suraj has been involved with a ton of different things. He suggested just doing a one-off game and then it just kind of grew from there with the Employment and Skills Training teams really taking it into their own hands to keep it going, which was really great.” 

Emily got Suraj together with some other volunteers to plan the first game. They circulated a flyer, Suraj borrowed pinnies and balls from his school, and Emily brought some pizzas for a post-game social. 

“A good 30-40 people came out, including staff, volunteers, and clients,” says Emily. “We were so surprised. It was a really fun gathering.” 

The one-off game quickly evolved into a weekly Saturday morning meetup. Games are kept informal with teams chosen by counting off, and consistent winners are often broken up to make contests more even.  

“It’s a really great way to build community and have people meet each other, especially in Boston, since everybody’s kind of separated across the city,” says Emily.  

“I think it’s a good way to have a bonding activity that isn’t necessarily based around things we do at IINE like having people work on resumes or attend workshops—it’s purely fun. It’s also a team mentality—everybody coming together for one goal.” 

Emily says the game has led to connections off the field, too. In the WhatsApp chat, between posting video clips of their game highlights, people have started organizing social outings throughout the city.  

When Suraj had to step away, Lead Career Navigator Gordon Parris gladly took over the organizing with the help of Career Navigator Luqman Alkhaneqeeni.  

Gordon (far right), Emily (second from right), and Luqman (kneeling) gather fellow IINE staff and clients weekly for a pick-up soccer game

A former refugee who has lived in Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey, Luqman has been playing soccer since he was four years old. It’s been a throughline for him as his life has continued to change. He couldn’t have been more excited to learn that his new workplace was hosting a regular game. “It’s one of my talents, let’s say,” he says with a smile. “When I learned about the game my first week on the job, I said, ‘Let’s go! I’m in!’”  

Luqman says he sees soccer as “a global phenomenon which unites millions of people. Also, back home it’s used as a cultural expression. Every time I’m playing, I see emotions, joy, that transcends all borders.” 

“We have some kids who are 9, 10, 13 years-old that run circles around us,” Gordon adds,  “so when he says it transcends all borders, including ages, he’s being literal.” 

Gordon is originally from South Africa where he also grew up playing soccer. “We’re all there because there’s something that we kind of miss from home. It’s something that we all grew up doing in completely different ways. Everyone gets the goofy jokes of like, you know, looking one way, kicking the other way, that kind of thing. It’s a common language, and therefore, unifying.” 

Now in its second year, the pick-up game continues to go strong. So what’s next for the franchise?  

“We’re going to keep it simple,” says Emily. “We’re just going to keep playing soccer.” 

“The Most Lovely People”: A Volunteer Group’s Experience Supporting a Refugee Family from Nigeria

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Boston, Client Stories, Refugee Resettlement, Volunteer.

Boston Bound volunteer group members with Tani and her family

Tani and her six children were among the last refugees to arrive safely in Boston just before the indefinite suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. In the weeks leading up to their arrival at Logan Airport, a group of friends from Boston and Brookline had been eagerly preparing to support them through IINE’s Resettle Together program. 

The volunteer group, who call themselves “Boston Bound,” is led by Jenny Miller. Jenny first learned about IINE when her daughter was looking for a community service project in the lead-up to her Bat Mitzvah. Through IINE, she was able to deliver food to local immigrant families and to donate books to refugee children after running a donation drive at her school.

Jenny remained on IINE’s volunteer email list, and when she learned about other opportunities to get involved, she was inspired. “These were things I could actually do. I work full-time [and am] crazy busy, but I had a few hours at night to go grocery shopping and bring food to a new family. Or I had a few hours on the weekend to help someone learn how to navigate the T,” she says.  

“IINE provided great support, and it was deeply satisfying, like disproportionately satisfying even when I never met the family. Dropping off groceries felt so tangible. At a time when it felt hard to find other ways [to help], it just felt really good to be able to do that.” 

She talked about the experience with her friends, a group of fellow parents of tweens. After the 2024 election, when they began sharing their fears over anti-immigrant policies taking hold in January, she proposed sponsoring a refugee family through Resettle Together as a concrete way to honor their values. 

Soon they all found themselves gathered around a dining room table in front of a large piece of paper, divvying up tasks from finding donated furniture, to apartment cleaning, to scheduling shopping trips for food and clothing.  
 
“When we started letting people know that we were doing this, it was amazing how many people wanted to help,” says Jenny, “Our kids did a drive for toiletries, soap, and detergent, and all that kind of kitchen stuff before Tani and her children arrived, and we got six months’ worth of stuff!” 

Eager to befriend Tani’s teenage children, the kids of Boston Bound also collected gifts, prepared a bracelet-making kit, and made a photobook with pictures of all the group members to show the new arrivals how many new friends they now had.  

When the family arrived, Boston Bound group members took turns hosting them for home-cooked West African-style meals, playing board games with their children, taking them to local parks and playgrounds and kicking around a soccer ball, going on shopping trips, helping them learn how to navigate public transportation, and more. They became close quickly. “They are the most lovely people,” Jenny says of Tani and her family. “They are a very close family, very warm, incredibly supportive of each other. I think what struck me was they came here with so much curiosity and eagerness to learn—also a love of their new home, and they really extended that to all of us. They have been so welcoming to all of us. Even with the language barrier, which, when they arrived was almost total. There was still so much warmth.” 

While IINE case workers helped the family enroll in ESOL classes, secure work authorizations, and become oriented to the U.S. workplace, Boston Bound helped make sure the family had access to food and healthcare, enrolled in school, got library cards, and practiced reading and speaking English. Meanwhile, a beautiful friendship formed. 

IINE Case Specialist Nijimbere Lahayiloyi shares more about what it means to welcome refugees, and how critical volunteer support is

“They’ve invited us to celebrate their birthdays at their home, and that’s been just wonderful—so joyful,” Jenny says. “They’ve taught us the songs that they sing for birthdays, and dances, and the music they listen to. They’ve also come to some of our houses for birthday celebrations or just for dinner, and that’s been really lovely too. Every time I visit, they try to send me home with food.”   

When IINE’s Employment team was able to get them job interviews, Boston Bound helped them practice and prepare. Now, all eligible family members have started jobs in food service. 

“Having this support has meant so much,” says Mariamu, one of Tani’s daughters. “We have been able to have people to practice English with and to help us with things we don’t yet understand. We are very grateful for their willingness to assist us. They have been with us since our first day in Boston. They help us understand the community we live in; they often visit us and make sure we are okay. They have done so much to help us in many ways. We appreciate them and pray that God blesses them in everything.” 

Jenny shares how Boston Bound came together and the “privilege and joy” of becoming close with Tani and her children

•••

Refugees and immigrants make long, difficult journeys to escape violence and rebuild their lives in the U.S. You can give them the help they need. 

Prudence’s Story: How a Refugee and Humanitarian Found Life-Saving Support in the U.S. 

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Boston, Boston Centennial, Client Stories, Refugee Resettlement, Volunteer.

A father of four, Prudence has dedicated his life to working for human rights and against government corruption. After fleeing his native Burundi for Sudan, he started a foundation to advocate for children and worked with several international development agencies to support refugees.  

When a regime change led him to believe it was safe, Prudence returned to Burundi determined to help make life better there. He launched initiatives to empower people living in the country’s difficult-to-reach rural communities by giving them access to digital payment systems and digital media. Unfortunately, these advances caught the attention of those who wished to misuse them. When the president of Burundi decided to run for a third term—which was not allowed under the nation’s constitution—he asked Prudence to spread the false message that he had widespread support. Prudence refused. This led him to become the target of political persecution. New threats against his life kept his family on the move, first to the U.K. and then to Rwanda.  

To make matters worse, Prudence’s son Joshua had been born with a dangerous heart condition, and he urgently needed a complicated surgery. Getting this care as a refugee would not be easy, but Prudence found hope when he learned it could be achieved at Boston Children’s Hospital.  

It became clear to Prudence that his son’s health and his family’s safety hinged on finding welcome and support in Massachusetts. A remarkable relationship with sponsor Steve Gross of the Life is Good Foundation, and with the International Institute of New England, made this dream a reality.  

Watch their story below: 

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Refugees and immigrants make long, difficult journeys to escape violence and rebuild their lives in the U.S. You can give them the help they need. 

From the Desk of the CEO: Envisioning a Better Future for Humanitarian Immigration

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, From the Desk of the CEO, Refugee Resettlement.

By Jeff Thielman, President and CEO at the International Institute of New England

As we’ve spent the past year celebrating 100 years of refugee and immigrant support in Greater Boston, we’ve found much needed inspiration in our history. For a century, we’ve worked with our communities to make our home a place of new beginnings. Despite challenges and setbacks, we’ve welcomed generations of brave, resilient people who fled persecution in other nations, and they made this a better place for all of us.  

Along the way, we’ve always advocated for a fairer system of humanitarian immigration. Today, frequent policy changes often force us to be reactive and defensive in our advocacy, but it is important to envision what we’re fighting for as well as against.   

What would a smart, strategic, humanitarian immigration system look like? 

1) It would transcend partisan politics.

President Carter signs the Refugee Act of 1980 into law

When The Refugee Act of 1980 was introduced, it passed with a large bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives and a unanimous vote in the Senate. Across the political spectrum, Americans agreed that a nation defined by its commitment to human freedom should welcome people fleeing persecution by tyrants and terrorists, that Congress should have a role in the important decision of how many people to welcome, and that we should have a standardized, well-supported system for resettling and integrating families and individuals into our communities. 

In recent years, this humane, logical, and bi-partisan approach has been largely abandoned. During both of his terms, President Trump has made unilateral decisions by executive order on how many people should be granted refuge and from where. Huge cuts without congressional input to annual refugee admissions have betrayed allies, abandoned people in need, and prevented long-term planning by states on how to best welcome and integrate these new community members. Trump’s administrations have also employed discriminatory practices like travel bans based on national origin and religion, and the prioritization of one group over all others.    

The GRACE Act, one potential reform proposed by Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey, would commit the U.S. to admitting a minimum of 125,000 refugees each year. This would help take the politics out of refugee admissions decisions and create the stability needed to improve our preparedness to support arriving families and individuals.  

2) It would be collaborative at every level.

Smart immigration policy recognizes that the world is interconnected and balances the needs of people on the move with those of host communities.  

On the international level, this could include cooperation along the lines laid out by the Global Compact on Refugees, working together with neighboring countries to: 

  • prevent the causes of displacement,  
  • combat trafficking across borders,  
  • safely share relevant data on populations on the move,  
  • share responsibility for resettlement,  
  • plan in advance for emergencies, and  
  • ensure humane treatment of those crossing borders to seek asylum.  
Members of IINE’s Refugee Advisory Council meet to discuss how to improve the resettlement experience

Within the U.S., good policy would honor the need to reunify families and allow people to resettle in places with existing immigrant communities that can provide them with community support. It would also allow for steering refugees towards areas that need to grow their population and fill workforce needs.  

Targeted support and guidance would be provided for communities who welcome large numbers of people in times of emergency. These would include resources for those who provide housing, education, healthcare, transportation, and employment.  

Once here, refugees would be able to offer input into effective integration strategies through models like IINE’s Refugee Advisory Council in New Hampshire—a group that convenes to discuss needs and challenges and offer feedback to legislators.  

3) It would be safe and efficient.

After being forced to flee their home countries due to persecution and threats of violence, refugees wait in “third countries” for their applications to be processed and vetted by the U.S. before they are granted refugee status and entry into the country. They can spend years languishing in refugee camps, living in tents and relying on aid agencies for food, water, and sanitation support.  

IINE staff visited the U.S.-Mexico border in the summer of 2024 to better understand the dangerous conditions faced by asylum-seekers.

Those who are unable to apply for refugee status often make long and dangerous journeys to the U.S. to apply for asylum at the U.S. border. During the Biden administration, they were able to make asylum appointments via a government mobile app—but wait times were an average of nine months. While waiting, applicants were vulnerable to violent crime and theft. Once in the U.S., applicants lived in fear and uncertainty as they waited an average of six years for adjudication of their claims to asylum.  

A system of legal pathways into the U.S. has been rendered inefficient on purpose. For years, immigration opponents have worked to cut funding and hobble the system. The U.S. should improve the efficiency of our vetting processes and adequately fund our immigration legal system to keep freedom-seekers safe.   

4) It would be equitable.

Because the refugee vetting process can take years, other life-saving humanitarian immigration statuses have been created to allow large groups of people whose homes have suddenly become unlivable to enter the U.S. on a temporary basis and remain here until their home countries are safe. They are typically granted visas for two years, after which time their stay is either renewed or terminated based on conditions in their home countries.  

Funding is not provided to these individuals, nor to immigrant support agencies, to help them secure safe housing. In some cases, their admission has depended on securing sponsors in the U.S. who commit to providing them with initial housing. In other cases, with nowhere else to turn, they can wind up beginning their lives in the U.S. on the street or in homeless shelters. Unlike those held by people with refugee status, their visas do not automatically grant them permission to join the workforce. They have to apply—a challenge for those who don’t speak English and don’t know the rules—and the approval process can take months.  

With support, newcomers contribute immensely to their new communities. In recent years, IINE has helped thousands of immigrants in this situation, and they have been able to fully participate in American life—joining the workforce, enrolling their children in schools, attending local places of worship, and helping to make their neighborhoods better places to live. All the while, their visa deadlines hang over their heads, and they are at the mercy of decisions often based on politics rather than the reality of their country’s safety. With support, they can apply for asylum, but the process is brutally slow and expensive, and success is far from guaranteed.  

A fair system would invest support in these populations when they arrive to the benefit of all, keeping them out of emergency shelters and getting them into the workforce as quickly as possible. It would also provide them with more achievable pathways to permanent residency and citizenship. Additionally, investment in the personnel and processing needed to close the tremendous, years-long backlog in adjudicating asylum claims would decrease decision wait-times for applicants whose claims are ultimately denied, reducing the need for long detention stays, ICE raids, and hunts for out-of-status immigrants, and creating a more stable, enforceable immigration system. 

5) It would respond to new threats. 

In a world already experiencing record displacement, climate change is an extreme and rapidly growing cause that’s poised to worsen in the coming years. Global warming affects food and water supplies, decreases livable land, creates destructive natural disasters, and worsens the conditions of scarcity and tensions that have always caused displacement.  

The U.S. has a rich history of welcoming the victims of natural disasters to join our nation. Currently, however, no legal pathways exist for climate displaced people throughout the world to resettle in the U.S. This is setting us up for a potential crisis. We know that increasing numbers of people will inevitably be displaced, and many will come to the U.S. As with any mass displacement event, this could result in terrible conflict and suffering. Yet, with cooperation and strategic planning, we could save millions of lives, forge strong new international partnerships, and greatly strengthen our own country. 

With IINE’s endorsement, Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey and New York Senator Nydia Velásquez have proposed the Climate Displaced Person Act. Among other needed measures, it would create a new humanitarian pathway for climate-displaced people. 

6) It would recognize refugees as the national treasures they are. 

Instead of focusing on restrictions and quotas, a better humanitarian immigration system would truly focus on welcome, ensuring that the U.S. is a bastion of liberty, opportunity, and fairness that attracts freedom-seekers to our shores, embraces cultural pluralism, and sets a shining example for the world.   

As author Amela Koluder wrote, “a refugee is someone who survived and who can create the future.” By definition, refugees are incredibly resilient and driven people who choose the U.S. as their home, and they tend to be unparalleled in their love for this country. When we ask our clients about their goals for the future, they tell us they want to give back to the country that has given them so much. In purely economic terms, over the long term, investing in refugees brings in billions more in revenue than is spent on their resettlement, and the contributions they make to our culture and our communities are immeasurable.  

The administration has closed our nation’s doors to refugees, but our work does not and cannot stop. We are focused on protecting our clients and educating them on their rights; providing more intensive support to refugees and immigrants who are already in our communities; and advocating for more humane immigration policies at the city, state, and federal levels. Please consider supporting this critical work today.

Refugee Act of 1980

5 Things to Know About the Refugee Act of 1980

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Explainer, Refugee Resettlement.

Understanding the purpose and impact of the Refugee Act on its 45th anniversary 

Forty-five years ago, the Refugee Act created a more just, efficient, secure, and strategic refugee admissions and resettlement process. It has since saved the lives of more than 3 million people from around the world. Helping refugees integrate into our communities has immeasurably strengthened our country’s culture and economy, as well as our standing throughout the world.  

Today, as displacement soars to record levels worldwide, and is made worse by the escalating threat of climate change, the current presidential administration has attempted to unilaterally slam the “golden door” this program opened.  

It is our responsibility to revive the hope that this Act created and resume our leadership as a haven of freedom and opportunity. As we celebrate its forty-fifth anniversary, here are 5 things to know about the Refugee Act of 1980. 

1) The Refugee Act of 1980 officially defined who a refugee is. 

The first page of the Refugee Act of 1980. Source: National Archives.

For people forced to flee their homes, the definition of a “refugee” has life or death implications. Being included can mean a safe new place to live and the support needed to thrive there. 

The 1980 Refugee Act aligned U.S. law with language used by the United Nations, defining a refugee as anyone who is unable or unwilling to return to their home country because of “persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution” due to race, membership in a particular social group, political opinion, religion, or national origin. 

Importantly, this has been our most inclusive definition to date, removing conditions based on people’s nationalities, the timing of their displacement, or the countries from which they were forced to seek refuge.  

2) It established one uniform process for vetting, welcome, and resettlement of refugees. 

The Refugee Act created the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to rigorously vet refugees abroad using consistent criteria, and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to ensure that new arrivals are provided with the services needed to become self-sufficient as quickly as possible. Funding was provided to contract with a network of vetted and monitored community-based agencies like IINE to provide welcome, housing assistance, connection to federal benefits and local services, English language training, cultural orientation, career support, and legal services. 

Before these offices were established, refugee admissions and resettlement could be ad hoc and inconsistent, subject to debate during an active crisis and resulting in different arrangements for different populations. USRAP and ORR were an investment in fairness, better planning, and smoother integration. 

3) It defined a partnership between the President and Congress in setting admissions numbers. 

President Carter signing the Refugee Act of 1980 into law

Applying checks and balances to the process, the Act empowered the President to set an annual maximum number of refugee admissions, but only after consultation with Congress. The President was given the authority to increase this number during times of emergency with the requirement that a justification for this must also be sent to Congress, which ultimately controls the budgeting process that would fund the effort.  

4) It guaranteed the right to apply for asylum. 

Not only did the Refugee Act standardize a process for seeking refuge from outside the U.S., it also standardized a process through which to apply for protected status from within the U.S. or at its border. Asylum-seekers would need to prove that they meet the same criteria established for refugees—persecution, or a well-founded fear of persecution, that prevents them from returning home. Those who succeed would be given the same rights and support as refugees applying from abroad.  

This process has saved the lives of millions of people under threat, forced to quickly flee their homes with few resources, who could more easily reach the border than access the refugee admissions process.  

5) It was truly bipartisan.

The Refugee Act of 1980 passed the Senate unanimously on a vote of 85-0. Introduced by “liberal lion,” Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, the Act had three Republican co-sponsors, and was notably helped along by staunch conservative Strom Thurmond, then the ranking Republican member of the House Judiciary Committee. The country was reckoning with the Vietnam War, its evolving role in the world, and its responsibility to those displaced. The Refugee Act was seen by both parties as creating a fairer, more orderly, and more secure process for immigration on humanitarian grounds that affirmed our commitment to the cause of freedom and improved our international standing.  

Refugees and immigrants make long, difficult journeys to escape violence and rebuild their lives in the U.S. You can give them the help they need. 

Massachusetts Resettlement Agencies Applaud Legislative Leadership for $5 Million Investment in Immigrant Legal Defense Fund

Massachusetts Resettlement Agencies Applaud Legislative Leadership for $5 Million Investment in Immigrant Legal Defense Fund

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Advocacy, Blog, Boston, Press Releases/Statements.

BOSTON – June 9, 2025 – The eight resettlement agencies operating throughout the Commonwealth applaud the Massachusetts House of Representatives for including $5 million in new funding for the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund in its FY26 budget.

At a time when state finances are stretched thin, opportunities for new investments are limited, and federal funding turmoil has urged caution with state spending, the establishment of this new fund underscores the commitment and dedication of the House to protecting the rights of all of our residents in Massachusetts. This critical investment will provide legal support for thousands of Massachusetts residents navigating complex immigration proceedings—many of whom face the risk of detention or deportation without access to legal counsel. The resettlement agencies commend House leadership and members for recognizing that due process and legal representation are essential to a fair and humane immigration system.

“At a time when our communities are seeing increased need and heightened uncertainty, this funding sends an important message that Massachusetts stands in strong support of our immigrant neighbors and communities,” said Jeff Thielman, CEO of the International Institute of New England. “The creation of the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund amid these turbulent times speaks volumes to these communities that are facing unjust targeting: the Massachusetts House and the legislature stand behind you.”

“Providing adequate legal counsel benefits all residents,” said Rabbi James Greene, the CEO of Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts. “This fund will help immigrants – who strengthen our workforce, tax base, and economy every day and who enrich the cultural life of our communities – remain in the state.”

The resettlement agencies specifically thank Leader Frank Moran and Chair Dave Rogers for championing this funding request, and Speaker Ron Mariano, House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, and House leadership for including it in the House Ways and Means budget. We are grateful also for the longtime commitment and support of the Senate and the Healey Administration, and look forward to working to ensure this funding is included in the final FY26 budget. We are grateful for the leadership of our elected officials in the Commonwealth.

IINE Statement on the Travel Ban

IINE Statement on the Travel Ban

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Advocacy, Afghan Refugees, Blog, Haitian Immigrants, Press Releases/Statements.

The recently enacted travel ban will divide families, endanger the lives of those seeking safety in the U.S., and forsake our nation’s humanitarian legacy. The ban is predicated on the claim that the selected ountries have a “large-scale presence of terrorists,” when in reality, the individuals seeking to leave these nations are doing so to save their lives and their families. 

The International Institute of New England condemns this ban, which is another attempt to dismantle legal pathways to immigration and villainize innocent individuals and families seeking safety and stability.  

More than 90% of IINE’s current clients come from nations included in the travel ban, particularly Haiti and Afghanistan. These immigrants have endured rigorous vetting and screening, long journeys, and unimaginable trauma to find peace and safety in the U.S. The travel ban will cause irreparable human harm and hurt U.S. communities – who rely heavily on their talent and economic and cultural contributions.  

Talent like Efdjeen, who was forced to leave her home in Haiti, where she was completing her residency after graduating from medical school. Efdjeen always aspired to become a doctor, and last year, she graduated from IINE’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, bringing her one step closer to her goal.  

The ban also means separating families, who have already spent years apart and want nothing more than to be reunited. 

Many from the countries banned are our friends, neighbors, and in the case of Afghanistan, brothers and sisters in arms. When the Taliban took control of Kabul, Sabira and her husband had to flee because of his past work supporting the U.S. Armed Forces; now, they are in Massachusetts alone, dreaming of the day when they will see their families again.  

The devastation the travel ban will cause is immense. We hope the ban will be successfully challenged in court, and ultimately lead to further action around the need for comprehensive immigration reform. 

International Institute of New England Raises a Record Setting $3.5M at Golden Door Award Gala Celebrating Organization’s Centennial 

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Boston, Boston Centennial, Events, Press Releases/Statements.

100th anniversary of Boston headquarters features distinguished performances, history walk, and uplifting stories of immigrant, refugee contributions across region 

BOSTON – June 5, 2025 – The International Institute of New England raised $3.5 million at its annual Golden Door Award Gala Wednesday night, honoring the 100th anniversary of its Boston-area programming with songs, speeches, and stories of a century of immigrants’ and refugees’ successes and contributions across the region.  

The money raised supports IINE’s critical programs across Massachusetts and New Hampshire including refugee resettlement, English language education, workforce training, and legal services during a time of unprecedented challenges for immigrants and refugees due to federal policies targeting them.  

The urgency of this mission was reinforced by breaking news during the event, as a newly signed federal proclamation was announced banning travel from 12 countries—many of which are home to the very individuals IINE serves. With more than 90% of current clients coming from these impacted nations, the announcement was a sobering reminder of the continued need for bold advocacy and steadfast support for immigrants and refugees.  

“Tonight, we celebrate more than a milestone,” said Jeff Thielman, president and CEO of the International Institute of New England. “We are honoring a century of courage, compassion, and commitment to immigrants and refugees. Nearly all of us are here because someone in our family once took an uncertain journey to the U.S. That legacy built New England and continues to shape our future. We chose red, white, and blue [colors] for our centennial because welcoming newcomers is one of the most patriotic things we can do.” 

To underscore the weight of its mission at this time, the organization raised an additional $274,000 in the room during the event, fueled by a generous $50,000 match from its Board of Directors.  

In a departure from its previous 50-year tradition, this year’s event honored not just a single individual born outside of the United States who has made outstanding contributions to American society, but the entire IINE community, including past clients, supporters, and staff whose collective impact has helped shape Boston into the diverse, innovative, and prosperous city it is today.   

The event at the Omni Seaport Hotel in Boston drew over 800 guests and was co-chaired by past Golden Door Award honorees and respected leaders in business and philanthropy: Noubar Afeyan, founder & CEO of Flagship Pioneering and chairman of Moderna; Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna; Reshma Kewalramani, CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals; and Belinda Termeer, president of the Termeer Foundation and widow of Henri Termeer who received the Golden Door Award in 1999. 

The evening’s program included a moving personal testimony from an IINE client who shared a journey of migration and hope, a special performance by the Afghanistan Freeharmonic Orchestra, and a retrospective of the many remarkable recipients of the Golden Door Award throughout the decades. IINE also unveiled its Centennial Walk, an art exhibition chronicling IINE’s 100-year history in Boston and the city’s immigrant roots, and an interactive photo installation and postcard-writing station to display our city’s shared commitment to embracing newcomers.  

“Tonight, as we reflect on a century of dedication, we also look forward to the future,” said Termeer. “The stories of past honorees inspire us to continue building a society that values diversity, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of those who seek a better life.”   

Notable attendees of the evening included members of IINE’s host committee: Anthony Consigli, CEO of Consigli Construction; Gordon Dyal, CEO of Gordon Dyal & Co. Advisory Group LP; Yvonne Greenstreet, CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; and John McQuillan, chairman and CEO of Triumvirate Environmental.  

Since opening its Boston office in 1924, IINE has served over 100,000 immigrants and refugees and currently supports more than 10,000 individuals each year. The $3.5 million raised will directly support IINE’s programs, ensuring that refugees and immigrants in our communities have the resources and opportunities needed to rebuild their lives, realize their dreams, and strengthen our city and state. As immigration remains at the forefront of national discourse, IINE perseveres as a trusted service provider and advocate throughout the region. 

To learn more about IINE’s Boston Centennial, visit https://boston100.iine.org/.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEW ENGLAND 
The International Institute of New England (IINE) creates opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement, and pathways to citizenship. With locations in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire, IINE serves more than 10,000 individuals annually, including people displaced by persecution, political instability, violence, and climate crises, child and adult survivors of human trafficking, and unaccompanied children joining family members in New England. IINE offers a comprehensive range of programs and services to help these newcomers feel welcome, achieve stability and security, access resources in their new communities, advance their education and employment goals, and integrate into their communities. IINE’s expertise builds on more than a century of service, and with continued partnership from community groups and concerned philanthropists throughout New England, IINE will continue this service for the next 100 years and beyond.