Skip to main content
Our Boston office will be closed from 3-5 PM on Tuesday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 15. Our Lowell office will be closed from 9 AM - 12 PM on Friday, May 17.

Author: Danielle Gauthier

Celebrating Our Staff’s Work Anniversaries

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Intern, News.

We caught up with a handful of staff celebrating work anniversaries to hear what initially brought them to the International Institute of New England, how their roles and the organization have evolved since then, and what they enjoy most about the work today.

Emma Pond, Career Navigator

Celebrated her 1-year work anniversary in 2023

Emma and a student at a recent Ready, Set, Service! graduation ceremony

What first inspired you to join IINE? 

Before working at IINE I worked for the International Rescue Committee in New York. I had just spent a year working in the city and three months working at Lifting Hands International in Greece. I knew I wanted to keep working in resettlement, and soon found IINE. I was impressed by the history of IINE and the work IINE does in New England.  I was so excited when I got an interview for a Career Navigator position!

One year later, how have your role and IINE changed?

My role has changed over the course of my first year here. I started as a Teaching Assistant to the Career Navigator running the MassHire program, Ready, Set, Service! (RSS). Soon after, I started working with the clients directly to find jobs and recruit for the next cohort. I have now taught two cohorts of RSS and six Driver’s Ed courses. The most recent RSS class graduated on 11/17/23 and now I start the next chapter of finding job placements.

What do you enjoy most about your role today? 

My favorite part of my job is teaching. I love connecting with the students and feeling like I am contributing something useful. When students in my class form friendships and support each other, that makes me even happier. Driver’s Ed, which I started teaching in May of this year, has been a surprisingly fun and rewarding part of my job as well. Driver’s Ed is only four days but in those four days, students learn what they need to know to pass the Permit Exam. It is extremely rewarding to see students take the class, pass their exam, and then write to me that they have passed their driving test and are now licensed. Having a license opens the door to so much; being a small part of that newfound agency is very special.

Yusuf Abdi, Manager, Career Services

Celebrating his 10-year work anniversary in 2024

Yusuf and IINE staff and volunteers prepare an apartment for a new immigrant family
Yusuf (front) and IINE staff and volunteers prepare an apartment for a newly arrived immigrant family

What first inspired you to join IINE? 

America is a nation of immigrants that, at its core, embraces newcomers and gives them the opportunity to rebuild their lives. IINE supports this work by welcoming refugees and people who have been forced to leave their homelands. As a refugee myself, I wanted to be part of this work.  

I joined the Career Services Team because finding employment is a fundamental step for immigrants to become self-reliant and independent. Jobs are key to paying rent, owning a car, and living in their new communities with dignity.  

The opportunity to support refugees and immigrants inspires me daily in my role. For everyone who works at IINE, it is more than just a job – we are all working together to achieve the goal of helping newcomers to our country.  

Nearly ten years later, how have your role and IINE changed?

When I joined the Lowell office as an Employment Specialist, we were a team of two. When the administration changed in 2016, our team decreased to just me. It was a very difficult moment in time. Since then, thankfully, we have grown a lot – and we had to, to support the large influx of Afghan immigrants [in 2021]. Today, we are a team of seven.  

I have moved up from a Specialist, to a Lead, to now the Manager of the team. Throughout my time at IINE, I have learned so much, and I am grateful to have been provided with many training opportunities.  

What do you enjoy most about your role today? 

Seeing our clients start with nothing, in many cases, and become self-sufficient – that always motivates me. Over the years, I have watched newly arrived clients, who I helped find jobs, go on to buy cars, enroll their children in school, and then their children graduate and go on to university. It is amazing to see this growth. And our clients are so appreciative. That’s what keeps me doing this work.  

I also enjoy building bridges between our clients and local employer partners. Not only do I get to help our clients, I get to help the local economy, and employers thank us for supporting their businesses. For instance, during the pandemic, many healthcare providers needed staffing quickly. They reached out to me, and we were able to play a tremendous role in connecting them with our clients and fulfilling their needs in a short time.  

Lastly, I really enjoy the community that exists at IINE. Everyone that first comes to us is experiencing a transition period. They aren’t yet self-sufficient and they need temporary support. Our clients understand this, and as they become more self-sufficient, they help others. So our Congolese clients have gone on to help our Afghan clients, and now our Afghan clients are helping our Haitian clients. They are driving them to appointments, welcoming them to the neighborhood – there is trust between them, even though they all come from very different backgrounds, because they share a connection through IINE. Seeing that willingness to give back, it’s very meaningful. We are a family here. 

Pam Seremet, Education Program Specialist

Celebrated her 3-year work anniversary in 2023

Pam (right) congratulates an ESOL student on their achievements during IINE’s World Refugee Day celebration

What first inspired you to join IINE? 

In 2013, I went back to school to get my master’s because we had an international program at a private school I was teaching at and I thought it would be good to study ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) to help out with that program. In 2016, I received my master’s in education with a concentration in ESOL. I was planning on “retiring” from elementary school and moving upstairs to be the high school ESOL support. However, in 2018, the school closed. So… I was looking for a place that I could use my ESOL skills to help students succeed. When I read the mission statement of IINE, I knew it was a place I wanted to be a part of.

Three years later, how have your role and IINE changed?

I was hired in October of 2020, in the midst of COVID. We had four classes and I taught two of them. Three of the classes were on Zoom, and I had six Literacy students in person that I had to teach how to use Zoom on their phones so the Literacy/Beginner class could still meet via Zoom. By January, we were all on Zoom. Then I split the Literacy and Beginners groups because of the big gap between the two groups. Today, we have seven ESOL classes, two classes for Healthcare, and an LNA (Licensed Nursing Assistant) class. We also have more teachers and support staff on the Education team since when I started. We have expanded from our office on Pine Street to Brookside Church and St. Raphael’s School to accommodate the bigger classes and yet we still have a long waiting list of adults who want to learn English!

The other piece of my job is curriculum. I have been in the process of writing curriculum for our three ESOL levels so that if a student enters our program in Level 1, they can flow continuously through the three levels and have a solid foundation of phonics, reading, grammar, writing, speaking and listening when they graduate from our program. I review curriculum to pick the best options for our students. Since there is no ONE curriculum that covers it all, I am always looking for outside resources to supplement and enhance the curriculum.

What do you enjoy most about your role today? 

I love my job at IINE! I love helping my students improve in the many facets of English! I feel satisfied when they meet one of their goals and celebrate with them. When I see students struggling, I try to implement opportunities to practice those skills and encourage them to continue moving forward. I enjoy collaborating with the others on the Education Team. We share thoughts and ideas, build on each other’s suggestions, and divide and conquer duties when needed! I’m so grateful for my job and the people I work with at IINE!

CJ Mbaike, Budget Analyst

Celebrated his 1-year work anniversary in 2023

Chijioke Mbaike
CJ joined the Finance Team in 2022

What first inspired you to join IINE? 

The first thing that inspired me to join IINE is the mission. Being an immigrant from Nigeria, I know how difficult it can be settling in a new country where you may not have family or relatives and need to adjust to cultural differences. Wanting to help others like me is what inspired me to work for an organization like IINE.

Three years later, how have your role and IINE changed?

My role has transformed significantly: from self-growth to team and company growth, I have transitioned into an integral part of the Finance Team and being a team player to support IINE’s mission.

What do you enjoy most about your role today? 

What I enjoy the most about my role is preparing a budget and being awarded a grant. For example, when I prepare a budget for the Advancement Team and I receive an email saying we were awarded the grant, it feels amazing and very rewarding.

Kate Bertino, Managing Attorney

Celebrated her 3-year work anniversary in 2023

Kate (right) accompanies her client A.A. to his U.S. Citizenship Oath of Allegiance Ceremony

What first inspired you to join IINE? 

I was inspired by the mission and determined to continue working in an area of law where I could be of greatest service to those in my community.

Three years later, how have your role and IINE changed?

When I first started at IINE as an Associate Attorney, the Immigration Legal Services Department was a team of three. Since then, I have been promoted to Managing Attorney and oversee three people out of a team of nine. It’s been exciting watching our program grow and continue to provide quality legal services.

What do you enjoy most about your role today? 

I enjoy being a mentor for my staff and working with a team of dedicated and passionate professionals.

Interested in joining our team? Our collaborative, team-oriented environment offers opportunities to serve refugees and immigrants, while learning from other staff and departments. View career opportunities here. 

Home-Sewn Start-Up: A Former Afghan Refugee Brings Traditional Clothing to Lowell

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Lowell, News.

Farida Niazi, a former refugee from Afghanistan who has made Lowell, Massachusetts her home since 2019, says that she loves the freedom she feels here. 

“In the United States, religion is different, and everyone is different, but nobody told me about my hijab, or anything. Here the good thing is what you do and who you are, not what you wear. That’s why I love it here.”

Now that Farida no longer feels an expectation to wear a hijab, she embraces the opportunity to choose to do so. However, Farida and the many fellow Afghans she has met in Lowell have struggled to find high-quality, traditional clothing.

“I wear a hijab and long clothes. I was searching. Especially in summer when it’s really hot, it’s difficult. I didn’t find it. A lot of families from Afghanistan are coming here and I thought if I have this problem, they also have this problem.” 

Farida says that because she had lived in an urban area in Afghanistan and worked as a teacher, the transition to life in Lowell was easier for her, but that many Afghan women in Lowell with different backgrounds can be “shy” and hesitant to leave their homes. Not having clothes that feel appropriate and comfortable makes it even harder for them, increasing their isolation.  

Cloths and materials used to create Afghan clothing
Farida sources high-quality fabrics from Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan

To help address this challenge, Farida has started her own business sewing, tailoring, and importing traditional Afghan clothes at affordable prices. Working via WhatsApp with vendors in Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan, she chooses high-quality fabrics, clothing items, and accessories and has them shipped. She then posts pictures and takes orders through a Lowell Afghan Facebook Page. Customers can come to her home to feel the fabric and see the quality of the clothes. Prices are negotiable and she tries to keep things as affordable as possible while she’s building up her business. It’s been about a year and things are going well.

“When customers come once, they come again, and those who have visited, tell others.” 

Farida had taught herself to sew when she lived in Afghanistan, measuring fabric by outlining her own dresses and cutting around them. She improved her skills thanks to access to sewing machines at the International Institute of New England, where the Niazi family has deep ties. When IINE helped Farida, her husband and their three children resettle in Lowell, which she says “felt like a blessing from God,” she reunited with family members whom IINE had resettled earlier: her parents, and her sisters Safeena and Haseena who now both work as IINE Case Specialists helping fellow refugees.  

Through this connection, Farida has found another way to help Afghan women feel less isolated in Lowell. For the past two summers, she’s led IINE’s weekly sewing groups for Afghan women clients. Sometimes she teaches, but more importantly, working with interpreters, she gives participants the chance to socialize with one another and with volunteers, while communally working on their craft. Sometimes this leads to them getting needed support from their IINE case workers.

Traditional Afghan clothing, sewn by Farida
A traditional Afghan dress sewn by Farida

“The good thing is that we’re involved in the community, and we know each other. Sometimes people had problems they didn’t discuss. Knowing they’re talking to someone who speaks English is good for Afghan women. Sometimes they didn’t have jobs, they had trouble with appointments, or they had problems in their home, but they didn’t tell anyone because they didn’t want to have to explain.” 

Farida hopes that some of the women she sews with will work with her when she is one day able to open a physical clothing and tailor shop in the community. Many have already expressed interest. In the meantime, life is busy and filled with her three children and newborn baby, beautiful fabric, and the sounds of a phone buzzing with WhatsApp notifications about the latest clothing orders.  

Donors Share Why They Give

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, News.

Dedicated donors make the International Institute of New England’s work supporting thousands of refugee and immigrant families possible. Hear from donors about their personal connections to IINE and the reasons they are compelled to support our mission.

Wade Rubinstein

Leadership Council Member

“It was at a Suitcase Stories event back in 2017 that I first learned about the International Institute of New England. I was so moved by the stories I heard, I became an IINE volunteer in Lowell tutoring recent arrivals in English. It is a singularly American experience to sit in an IINE classroom with twenty people of different nationalities, genders, and ages learning English together.

As the son and grandson of immigrants to the United States, I feel compelled to help people seeking a better life for themselves and their families. My wife, Jill Block, and I are committed to supporting IINE’s mission with our philanthropic giving. It’s a joy to know that our contributions are helping people from all over the world settle in New England and build productive lives.”

A presenter shares her journey at a Suitcase Stories event

Pam Chung

ESOL Tutor

“Immigrants, often refugees, arrive in the U.S. bewildered, frightened, and overwhelmed. They come here with hopes for a better life than the one they left, and many really had no choice. I was lucky to be born and raised here and I am glad to share my good fortune with others who have had a challenging path.

IINE provides tools for immigrants to succeed, and we benefit from them being here. Take a look around and see who is providing services at restaurants, hotels and airports, not to mention health care, and more. It is important for me to help provide people with the tools they need to succeed in this new, foreign world. And it is fun and gratifying for me to learn from them. There is much to be gained from the friendship and assistance of these newly arrived members of our society, and I believe strongly that I, and you, should donate to IINE to help it continue its work. The International Institute does a marvelous job, under a great deal of pressure, with grace, care and good humor. ”

A student in our Certified Nursing Assistant training program

Annie and Bob Schmalz

Long-Time Supporters

“After the 2016 election we were horrified with the anti-immigrant rhetoric and activity and began to look for ways to help refugees. We learned of IINE at that time. We brought a program from IINE to our continuing care retirement community, Carleton-Willard, and collected items to be donated. I attended an annual award banquet in Boston. Our son is an attorney for INS and we are aware of what is going on from that point of view. Our connection to IINE is a tangible way that we can do something. ”

Julianne Mehegan

Dedicated Supporter

“I support the International Institute of New England because of its long track record and proven results in helping immigrants and refugees. IINE has developed programs to support these newcomers and ensure they get the health care, language skills and training needed to become productive citizens. Now more than ever the services of IINE are needed to smooth the way for new generations of immigrants.”

Our ESOL students receive help from teachers and tutors

Refugees and immigrants find safety and hope in our region because of supporters like you. Please consider donating today. 

Q&A With New Board Member Ann Merrifield

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, News.

Can you share a bit about yourself? 

Ann MerrifiedI was born and raised in southern Maine. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology and a Master of Education from the University of Maine, and then an M.B.A. from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College. Shortly after, in 1982, I moved to Boston, and I have been here ever since! My husband and I raised our three children on Beacon Hill. We have a long history with the city and feel lucky to call it home.  

In terms of my career, my first role after coming to Boston was at Bain & Company, a management consulting firm. I stayed there for more than a decade, ultimately becoming a Partner, before moving to Genzyme Corporation. At the time, it was a fledgling biotech company. During my 18 years there, I had multiple roles, including leading global business strategy and operations for the Biosurgery division, and helping develop a start-up genetic diagnostics business. It was a wonderful organization and culture, and being able to help so many people from a healthcare perspective was truly a highpoint of my career. Since retirement, I have primarily been engaged with board work, supporting a number of life sciences and nonprofit organizations.  

Tell us about your journey to the International Institute of New England.  

As a small-town kid from Maine, joining global companies such as Bain and Genzyme really expanded my perspective. I had a chance to travel around the world and meet people from backgrounds very different from my own. That helped me form a more global point of view.  

The first time I learned of IINE was when the organization honored Henri Termeer, a Dutch immigrant and CEO of Genzyme, at the Golden Door Award gala. I became more familiar with IINE through Zoltan Csimma, who oversaw human resources at Genzyme, and would become IINE’s Board Chair for many years. With each event I attended and conversation I had, I became increasingly impressed by IINE’s incredible work and impact. I became a member of the Leadership Council and stayed engaged in that way until this year, when I took on the role of a board member.    

What do you consider the most important contributions of a board member? 

Naturally, there are governance and fiduciary responsibilities. IINE is very well-run and effective in those areas, so I think the most important aspect of my role as a board member becomes the advisory responsibility – helping IINE remain focused on its mission and its future. It has been exciting to take on this role while IINE is in the midst of developing a new strategic plan and preparing to increase its investment in private philanthropy. I have been so impressed by how IINE has risen to challenges over the years. Ensuring we can continue to weather any storms that come our way requires strong fundraising, and I am looking forward to supporting this work.  

I think IINE has done a commendable job of assembling a board of very talented individuals with diverse experiences and perspectives. It creates a robust dialogue. I’m looking forward to bringing my career perspective and philanthropy expertise to bear on our work as a group.  

What excites you most about IINE’s future? 

I’m a lifelong learner, so more than anything, I’m excited to learn! IINE’s business model is very complex, in terms of the multiple funding streams. Everyone has worked incredibly hard to get IINE to the level of impact it has reached today, where the organization is serving thousands of refugees and immigrants. I look forward to learning from my fellow board members and IINE leadership.  

What inspires your philanthropy? 

My sister and I were raised by an incredible mom, who supported our family on her own as a dedicated schoolteacher. With my family’s support, as well as a number of wonderful opportunities and scholarships, I was able to succeed. I feel very fortunate, and it’s important for me to give back, to help others find opportunities and success, too.  

IINE’s Board of Directors includes corporate and community leaders from across New England. View our members and leadership team here.

Spotlight Report: Immigrant Families in Emergency Shelters (November 2023)

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Spotlight Report.

The Spotlight Report is a quarterly report to bring you a deeper understanding of our work. This Spotlight Report covers why so many immigrant families have entered Massachusetts’ emergency shelter system in recent months, and how IINE is working with the state and federal governments and partner organizations to provide immediate support as well as advocate for long-term solutions.

Explainer: The U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program

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

According to the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, by the end of 2022 there were nearly 35.5 million refugees in the world – a number that, devastatingly, continues to grow rapidly due to conflicts and violence, natural disasters, famine, and persecution. These individuals have no choice but to leave their homes to find safety and a new start elsewhere. But what does the resettlement process actually look like for refugees who come to the U.S.? In our latest blog, we unpack frequently asked questions about the U.S. refugee resettlement program.  

First, what is a refugee?

Refugees  leave their home countries and are unable or unwilling to return because of  a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. 

Those who obtain the legal status of “refugee” are given protections under international laws and conventions. They can live and work legally and receive federal benefits and lifesaving support from agencies like IINE. The determination is made by an official entity such as a government or the UN Refugee Agency before the journey is made to a new country. In the U.S., refugees can join the workforce and have pathways to become lawful permanent residents and eventually citizens. Learn more about the different terms used to describe people who cross borders in our blog. 

What does the U.S. refugee resettlement process entail?

The U.S. vetting process to determine whether someone qualifies as a refugee is extensive and vigorous, often lasting up to two years. These are the 11 steps from application to admission: 

Source: World Relief

Why does the U.S. have a refugee resettlement program?

Beyond the humanitarian motives, there are strategic reasons the U.S. established a formal refugee resettlement program in 1980 with bi-partisan congressional support, which continues to this day.  

Resettlement is a diplomatic strategy of the U.S. government. By continuing to welcome and resettle refugees, the U.S. models fulfillment of the expectation that countries together create refuge for forcibly displaced people, either through offering neighboring asylum, hosting refugee camps, or admitting and integrating refugees into their communities. 

While not a stated purpose of the federal resettlement program, there are strong economic benefits for local communities that receive refugees. Many areas of the U.S., particularly New England, have growing workforce shortages and a critical need for workers. According to the Massachusetts Department of Economic Research, by 2030, the number of jobs across the Commonwealth is expected to grow 21% yet the workforce will expand just 1.5%. Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, there are currently approximately three unfilled jobs for each unemployed worker, according to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute. Refugees who join the U.S. workforce enter all fields, contribute to the local and federal tax base, purchase homes, and start businesses. Like nearly all newcomers to the U.S., they are eager to work and contribute to the economy. A National Bureau of Economic Research study showed that over a 20-year period, refugees who enter the country between the ages of 18 and 45 pay on average $21,000 more in taxes than they receive in public benefits.  

How many refugees does the U.S. resettle every year?

Since 1975, the U.S. has admitted more than 3.3 million refugees, an average of 80,000 per year. 

Under U.S. law, the president has the authority to determine the number of refugees the United States will admit each year. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 (October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017), President Obama raised the admission ceiling to 110,000 to respond to a humanitarian crisis that had driven the number of refugees to the highest levels since the end of World War II. Once President Trump took office, however, his administration suspended the refugee program for four months and drastically reduced the number of refugees admitted to the U.S. He went on to lower the refugee admissions ceiling to 45,000 in FY18, 30,000 in FY19, and 18,000 in FY20, the lowest refugee admissions numbers in U.S. history. President Biden has reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to welcoming and supporting refugees, increasing the admissions ceiling to 125,000, the highest target in U.S. history. Read our statement applauding the Biden administration’s commitment to admitting refugees in need of a safe and legal pathway.  

How can I help refugees who have been resettled to the U.S.?

Financial support is the U.S. resettlement providers’ number one need. The process of admitting refugees is managed by the federal government but refugee resettlement services are sub-contracted to local agencies and only partially federally funded. By offering your financial support, you play a critical role in securing resources for your local organization and ensuring that refugees find hope, safety, and a new start in our communities. 

Brockton Public Library Makes Space for “Priceless” Services to its Haitian Community

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Boston, Careers, News.

Twice a month, 200 or more recent immigrants from Haiti are eager to get to Brockton Public Library. It’s time to see Sabyne Denaud and her team from the International Institute of New England. These new community members have escaped life-threatening conditions in their home country and often endured dangerous journeys to find safety and a new start in the U.S. Many have been drawn to the city of Brockton, Massachusetts to join an already large community of fellow Haitians—about 13% of the city’s population. 

They come to the library to attend IINE’s all day “intake clinics” because they need the help of a resettlement agency to unlock access to the vital support for which they are eligible when they arrive, including food and cash assistance. IINE also supports them in applying for the documentation they need to join the workforce, and once they’ve completed intake, Sabyne, IINE’s Lowell Senior Program and Contract Manager, and her team of Case Specialists check-in with their new clients monthly to ensure they are getting their basic needs met and are on pathways to greater self-sufficiency in the U.S.  

Meeting People Where They Are

Sabyne helps fellow Haitian immigrants connect with vital resources during an all-day intake clinic

Partnering with Brockton Public Library solves a big challenge that Sabyne identified last fall. Sabyne is herself both a Haitian immigrant and a Brockton resident. She joined IINE in 2016 as a Case Specialist and has helped to resettle hundreds of refugees from all over the world.  She now focuses more intensively on the thousands of immigrants coming to Massachusetts from her home country. This past year IINE served 5,869 Haitian clients across our three sites, and Sabyne personally helped hundreds of them.

As she knows well, Brockton is about 50 miles from IINE’s Lowell office, and most of her Haitian clients do not own cars. To reach Lowell, they often had to either borrow money or pay for ride shares out of their federal benefit checks. As word spread throughout the Haitian communities in Brockton and surrounding towns about the help IINE could provide, the need for a local meeting space became clear, and Sabyne decided to try her local library.  

“I don’t live far from BPL,” Sabyne explains. “I usually went just to get books for my kids and me. I knew they have awesome staff—but not that they are this awesome!”

When Sabyne asked the library for a room to use for meetings each week, they were quick to oblige. She and IINE Case Specialist Rachelle Honore immediately started meeting with about six clients each week.  

“Then,” says Sabyne, “word of mouth started to spread about how IINE had been so helpful to them. After a month, instead of six at a time, I started getting 20 clients at a time. The room couldn’t hold us. Now, because the library has cameras, they realized so many people were coming and going. They approached me to know if I would need more support because they saw a lot of clients coming in asking for help, so I talked about what IINE does and how we support clients.” 

“I Could Not Ask for a Better Partner”: Collaborating with Malice

The partnership with Brockton Public Library was taken to a whole new level when Sabyne was introduced to Malice Veiga —a long time BPL staff member who has worked with the local Haitian community for years as an English for Speakers of other Languages teacher and an event coordinator. In addition to making sure that Sabyne and her team would have two large meeting rooms each month, Malice took it upon herself to help recruit and register people for the clinics between sessions, brought in volunteers to keep things running smoothly, and made sure Sabyne had access to library equipment to help with processing.  

“Malice is very organized. She makes sure that everyone that comes with her gets services as soon as possible. The waiting list is long. They make it run smoothly,” says Sabyne. “We have a big conference room where everyone who needs services can sit in and we have another private room where we meet with clients. We do intake in the clinic with 10 at a time. BPL opens the door for us and even makes sure we have water. They give us access to the printer so we no longer have to pay for clients to make copies. We are now seeing 200 clients each month and we absolutely could not do it without BPL and especially Malice.”

Malice is as enthusiastic as Sabyne is about the clinics. “They are a lot of work, but I love it. I like the fact that Sabyne’s team works well with each other to service our Haitian community who I’ve worked with for many years.”

Malice adds that she has learned first-hand that the clinics are both vital and appreciated, “This partnership is crucial for families because lives are being changed with financial assistance and support from organizations like us. The services that are being provided to the Haitian community are priceless. Many are relying on them to support and help their families. They don’t have any other financial assistance except what we are offering to them until they can find a job, which will take some time just getting a permit before they can work. When clients tell us ‘Thank you for your help, we really appreciate it,’ that brings me joy to my heart.”

IINE serves refugees and new immigrants who are overwhelmingly low-income with limited support networks, and are traditionally among the most underserved groups in the U.S. We connect newcomers to basic needs, services, and opportunities, including cultural orientation, housing, food, healthcare, education, employment, and community connection. Learn more about our case management services. 

Cyclists Raise Awareness and Funds at Annual Ride for Refugees and Immigrants

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, News.

On September 24th, International Institute of New England Board members, volunteers, staff, friends, and local community members suited up and hopped on their bikes to participate in IINE’s 5th annual Ride for Refugees and Immigrants. 
 
Created by IINE Board member Will Krause, The Ride brings together both seasoned cyclists and casual riders to bike a 50- or 12-mile route to raise funds and awareness for refugees and immigrants in our communities.  

Riders departed from Arlington, MA, stopping in Lowell to take a tour of our new office space and learn more about IINE’s work before meeting up with additional riders on the route back to Arlington. A big thank you to the 21 riders who participated and made the day such a success!  

Highlights of the Ride

Supporters and Staff Raise Critical Funds to Help Refugees and Immigrants in Our Communities 

IINE supporters, friends, and staff members collectively raised nearly $32,000 to provide resettlement services, intensive case management, adult ESOL, career advancement, youth programming, and immigration legal services to refugees and immigrants in need. Several shared the reasons they were inspired to ride: 

Riders Enjoy a Delicious Post-Ride Celebration at Kickstand Café  

A special thank you to owner Emily Shea and her staff at the Kickstand Café in Arlington, who, for the third year in a row, graciously hosted a post-ride reception. Riders and supporters enjoyed delicious food and drinks as they reflected on the event’s impact (and tried to stay dry in the drizzly fall weather!).  

A Valued and Generous IINE Partner, Starbucks Sponsors the Ride

Special thanks to the Starbucks Corporation for their generosity as our very first corporate sponsor of the annual Ride. The company’s ongoing partnership with our organization – from offering employment opportunities to our clients, to providing grant awards and event sponsorship, to volunteering at our World Refugee Day celebration – exemplifies how the mobilization of our corporate community can make life-changing impact on refugees and immigrants seeking a new start in New England. 

Thank you again to everyone who supported The Ride! By donating to IINE, you make a direct difference in the lives of refugees and immigrants in our communities.  

From the Desk of the CEO: Thank You for Rising to the Challenge in 2023

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

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

As our 2023 fiscal year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on a year that was unlike any other – and to thank you, our supporters, for rising to meet a level of need none of us could have anticipated a year ago.  

This past year was remarkable in many ways:  

The vast majority of those entering services have come here from Haiti, where political turmoil, natural disasters, water scarcity and famine, and widespread gang violence have displaced millions. Many put their hopes in the U.S. and set off on a long and perilous journey, and for tens of thousands, Massachusetts is their final stop and their new beginning. Here they join a rich community and the 3rd largest Haitian diaspora in the U.S. For Haitian immigrants—and for the thousands of clients we serve each year from more than 60 countries of origin—IINE provides life-saving support by unlocking and delivering federal and state benefits (including food, healthcare, and housing support) they are eligible for and cannot receive without the help of an organization like ours. 

The challenges immigrants face when entering the U.S. are immense. Their journeys to self-sufficiency are often hampered by inadequate funding in Massachusetts for adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes, which have extremely long wait lists. Some immigrants also experience delays in the approval of the federal work authorization documents needed to secure jobs. IINE has advocated for increased state and federal funding to expedite immigrant entry into our workforces, lobbying regularly to improve and expand services that support the stabilization and integration of families with so much to offer our community and economy.

Core to all our programming is IINE’s long-term vision that refugees and immigrants are able to realize their dreams and contribute to New England’s growth and prosperity. In support of this, this year IINE launched a new Financial Literacy class. Taught at our Boston and Lowell offices and free for all students, the class covers a range of topics from the basics of banking to financial planning, buying a home, and understanding credit scores and reports. We also piloted a new job skills training program focused on professional development. Designed for a range of English language levels, the course focuses on workplace norms in the U.S. Topics include professionalism and social skills, customer service, email etiquette, transferable skills, teamwork/collaboration, resume and cover letter writing, job search strategies, mock interviews, and salary negotiations. Learn more about the program in our interview with Associate Director of Workforce Initiatives Kubana Alexis. 

This Spring, in partnership with Stellar Story Company and Global Arts Live, seven storytellers took to the Somerville Theatre stage to share their own stories of migration and cross-cultural exchange. Recounting hardship, triumph, and self-discovery, the storytellers brought audience members to their feet. Four additional storytellers, including our youth client Mapendo Mutingamo, shared their personal journeys at IINE’s World Refugee Day celebration at Middlesex Community College in Lowell. Experience our youth client Mapendo’s Suitcase Stories performance on our blog. 

Launched in the summer of 2022, Resettle Together is a new kind of community sponsorship model through which volunteers enter into a formal partnership with IINE to raise resources for, welcome, and resettle a family of refugees. The partnership expands capacity while drawing on our staff’s expertise and each volunteer group’s community roots. The result? Refugees feel more deeply supported, welcomed, and integrated into their new communities. Over the past year, ten new Resettle Together groups have formed, successfully completed orientation, and have been matched with an IINE refugee family. Tom Barrington, a member of the group “Team Together,” shared his experience. “Accompanying a refugee family is an immense privilege,” he said. “We are able to get to know courageous people who have all kinds of hope and dreams for their future. They have all kinds of opportunities along a crooked road. We cannot travel that road for them but can be with them.” Hear more about his group’s experience supporting an Afghan family of nine in our Town Hall webinar.   

Thank you again for your ongoing support. Refugees and immigrants are finding safety and hope in our region because of you.  

Employee Profile: Meet Joe Gilbert, Education Program Manager

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Employees, Manchester, News.

After spending the majority of his career in higher education, Joe Gilbert joined the International Institute of New England as the Education Program Manager in our Manchester office last year. In our latest employee profile, Joe shares how the ESOL program and his team have evolved, the many hats he gets to wear in his role, and where you are most likely to find the native New Hampshirite on a day off.  

What brought you to the International Institute of New England?

I had been teaching at the University of New Hampshire in their ESOL Program for a couple of years and was preparing to wrap up my time there. Then, during my last semester, the pandemic hit. So, that changed my plans entirely. I became a stay-at-home dad for the next two years. Once the world started to become a little safer and my kids returned to school in person, I started the job hunt. 

I wasn’t sure where I wanted to be. I knew that staying in higher education might require moving, which wasn’t appealing, and I was also eager to work with a different population. Many of the students in higher education ESOL programs tend to come from wealthy international families who can afford to pay full tuition out of pocket. While there were enjoyable aspects of teaching in that environment, I wanted to help people who were more vulnerable and people who were coming to New Hampshire with the intent of staying and building a life here. I started researching opportunities to work with immigrants and refugees and that put the International Institute of New England on the map for me.  

Initially, I had been looking for a teaching job since that was the majority of my prior experience, but then the Education Program Manager position in Manchester opened up. It felt like a bit of a stretch because of the administrative and management aspects, but it was an exciting opportunity to join an organization whose mission I really connected with.  

Yesterday marked your one-year workiversary! How has your role and team grown since you started?

Joe speaks with students during an English Class Orientation

We have welcomed quite a few new faces! We have also been able to expand our team’s capacity by making a number of part-time positions full-time. We are currently hiring additional teachers, too (you can view job openings here).  

When I first joined, the program had recently grown from four ESOL classes to six. We have three levels, and morning and evening sessions for each. We have also expanded our community partnerships. Through a contract with Network for Health, we now teach a healthcare-focused English class onsite for employees at two hospitals in Manchester.  

We are working on starting up afternoon English classes next month in a partnership with the new Meelia Center for Community Engagement. Those will be onsite at St. Raphael’s Parish on the West Side of Manchester, where many clients live who have a harder time getting across town to our Brookside Church classrooms. We are also exploring a partnership with Manchester Community Schools, where our teachers would teach our curriculum to parents and students onsite at schools after hours

So, our program has grown quite a bit. At the same time, my role has shifted too. When I started, I was teaching a class myself, and all of our classes were held virtually on Zoom. Then, as our classes and partnerships began to grow, and as we looked to transition to in-person and hybrid classes, I shifted my focus to oversee those initiatives. A big part of my job has been getting our classes and technology up and running, training teachers and students on how to have hybrid classes, and strategizing on how to get students to our classes when they don’t have reliable transportation as our new in-person location, the Brookside Church, is not directly downtown.

What does your day to day look like? 

It could be 20 different things! This week, in particular, is our first week of classes for the fall semester, so I have been attending orientations for all of our students. I want to be present so students know who I am and recognize me as a familiar face.  

To give you a broader sense though, on any given day, I might be: 

  • Checking in with my team members, who range from teachers to administrative support to data entry specialists. 
  • Attending a weekly Department of Education meeting, where we cover topics ranging from student intake and assessment to curriculum development, data management, and volunteer coordination. 
  • Meeting with our office’s Senior Program and Contract Manager Kayla Rossmeissl to discuss budgets, personnel, and any updates that need to be shared across all Manchester staff who work with our refugee and immigrant clients 
  • Touching base with other service providers in the state who serve similar populations to share ideas and advice. 
  • Meeting with my counterparts at our Boston and Lowell offices, Kristan Fitah and Sherry Spaulding, so we can share innovations and help brainstorm solutions to any challenges. It’s always helpful to pick each other’s brains – and it’s a good opportunity to share our resources and insights so we can try to avoid any duplication of efforts.  
  • Meeting with other departments at IINE, whether it be IT to discuss setting up new tech for our classrooms, HR to discuss staffing, or Marketing (as I am for this interview!) to share ideas on how to promote our ESOL program, etc.  
  • Updating performance trackers and preparing quarterly reports for the DOE 
  • And of course, troubleshooting and responding to any situation that may arise! That might mean substitute teaching for a class, helping order new textbooks for students, conducting student tests, helping with new student intakes, giving students a ride home, organizing donations, etc. So, I get to wear many hats.  

What do you enjoy most about your role? 

Seeing the impact that we make in people’s lives is by far the most rewarding aspect. By learning English, our students are learning self-sufficiency: how to fill out forms to access services, how to communicate during a doctor’s appointment or with their children’s teacher, and how to navigate a grocery store. We’re able to help people gain the skills and confidence to take charge of their own education and career goals. Some of our students come to us with no formal education in any language, at all – to see them gain survival English is huge. And then we have our more advanced students who have gone on to enroll in community colleges or UNH!  

Being at a nonprofit and being able to deliver direct humanitarian aid, it’s something I really value. I can give our students dignity; for example, by providing shopping vouchers for the thrift shop onsite at Brookside so they can get a bag of winter clothing for their kids.

What advice would you share with someone who is interested in joining IINE?

Joe and his family on vacation in Tennessee, including a stop at the Bush’s Baked Bean Museum!

Be prepared for the unexpected. It’s often an all-hands-on-deck effort here. If you have a skill or interest that you don’t think would necessarily be an asset, it probably will be – and we’ll put it to good use! Everyone here helps each other.  

How do you enjoy spending your time outside of the office?

I have a little bit of a homestead at home. I have fruit trees, blackberry bushes, and ducks and geese. My geese are noisy, and this is a feature, not a bug. They’re very effective at alerting against predators. On my days off, you’ll often find me splitting firewood. That’s what I consider self-care – and doesn’t hurt that it keeps our house warm for cheap!  

Interested in joining our team? Our collaborative, team-oriented environment offers opportunities to serve refugees and immigrants, while learning from other staff and departments. View career opportunities here. 

Migrants, Immigrants, Refugees, Asylum-Seekers, Parolees: Understanding the Key Differences

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, News.

Migrants. Immigrants. Refugees. Asylum seekers. Parolees. They all leave their homes seeking a better life. Some leave by choice, others by dire necessity. The terms used to describe people who make these difficult decisions and journeys are determined by why they come, and the different legal rights they have when they arrive.

Migrants and Immigrants

The terms “Migrant” and “Immigrant” are not humanitarian legal statuses, just descriptors. Though usage varies, formally the main difference between migrants and immigrants is the permanency of their stay in a new location.

Migrants

Migrants are people on the move either within their home countries or internationally, who do not necessarily intend to stay at their destination indefinitely. It’s important to note that “migrant” is often used as an umbrella term when people’s motivation for crossing borders, or their ultimate status after arrival, is unclear. 

Immigrants

Immigrants choose to move to a foreign country with the intention of settling there. They often go through a lengthy vetting process. Many become lawful permanent residents and eventually citizens.  

“Emigrant” is used to describe a person while leaving their country of origin, and “immigrant” is used to described someone who is entering or has entered a new country.

Refugees, Asylum-Seekers, Parolees, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Recipients, Victims of Trafficking, and Unaccompanied Children

These terms refer to Humanitarian Legal Status—they are defined by their reasons for coming or means of arriving, and also by the rights and protections they receive upon arrival in the U.S. 

Refugees

Refugees leave their home countries and are unable or unwilling to return because of a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. 

Diana and Randy Blog Thumbnail
Meet Diana and Randy, refugees from Cuba

Those who obtain the legal status of “refugee,” are given protections under international laws and conventions. They can live and work legally and receive lifesaving support from agencies like IINE. The determination is made by an official entity such as a government or the U.N. Refugee Agency before the journey is made to a new country. In the U.S., refugees can join the workforce and have pathways to become lawful permanent residents and eventually citizens. 

Informally, “refugee” is sometimes used as an umbrella term to describe anyone who leaves their country due to unsafe conditions, regardless of legal status. Learn about IINE’s Refugee Resettlement program.

Asylum-Seekers

Asylum-seekers leave their home countries with the hope of obtaining the same protections given to refugees once they arrive at their country of destination. Upon reaching or crossing the border, they must apply for “Asylum,” and prove to authorities that they have suffered persecution, or fear that they will suffer persecution, based upon race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Those whose claims are successful—and who are granted protections within their new countries—are called “Asylees.” Asylum-seekers can apply to work in the U.S. while their cases are pending and like refugees, asylees have a path to a green card, and eventually, citizenship. 

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Temporary Protected Status allows designated foreign-born individuals to temporarily remain in the U.S. and apply for work authorization in the U.S. while it is deemed unsafe to return to their country of origin.  

When a war breaks out, or a natural disaster strikes a foreign country, people from that country who are currently in the U.S. may be granted TPS by the U.S. government. TPS is sometimes renewed over several years—and sometimes the renewal decision becomes politically contentious. The status does not inherently provide a pathway to citizenship, or the same rights and protections afforded to refugees and asylees, but TPS recipients can apply for asylum, or other humanitarian legal statuses.  

Parolees

Zahra joined IINE’s staff as a parolee to the U.S. following the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan. Read more.

Parolees, also known as “Humanitarian Parolees,” are granted entrance to the U.S. temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons—usually for one year at a time. Like TPS recipients, they do not inherently have a pathway to citizenship, but can apply for authorization to work while in the U.S., for asylum, or for other humanitarian legal statuses. 

Cuban/Haitian/Nicaraguan/Venezuelan (CHNV) Parolees

CHNV Parolees, under a new legal status, can enter the U.S. for two years if they have sponsors in the U.S. who commit to providing housing and financial support for this period. This mirrors the Unite for Ukraine (U4U) program launched earlier for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion of their country. 

Read our “Spotlight Report: Welcoming Haitians” to learn more about why so many Haitians are making the difficult decision to come to the U.S. and how IINE is responding to their arrival. 

Victims of Trafficking

Victims of Trafficking are people who are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex, debt bondage, or involuntary labor. Human Trafficking is one way in which people are forced to move across borders, but trafficking victims can be U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or foreign nationals.  

IINE provides a Trafficking Victims Assistance Program to provide case management and immigration legal support to foreign-born victims of trafficking.

Unaccompanied Children (UC)

Unaccompanied Children are people younger than 18 years-old who enter the U.S. independently of a parent or legal guardian and for whom no parent or legal guardian in the U.S. is available to provide care and physical custody. They are usually fleeing unlivable conditions and threats to their safety in their home countries, and often seeking to reunite with family members in the U.S. Learn about IINE’s Unaccompanied Children program.

Internally Displaced Persons and Climate Disaster Displaced Persons (CDP)

These statuses currently fall outside of humanitarian protections.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)

IDP have been forced to leave their homes because of violence, human rights violations, or natural disasters, but, either by choice or necessity, have not crossed an internationally recognized border. IDPs do not have special status internationally or in the U.S. with rights specific to their situation.  

Climate Displaced Persons (CDP)

CDP have been forced from their homes due to disasters caused by climate change. A growing population, individuals displaced by climate disasters alone do not currently qualify for humanitarian protections internationally or in the U.S.

Refugee Youth Spend Summer Exploring, Learning, and Bonding

Written by Danielle Gauthier on . Posted in Blog, Careers, Lowell, Manchester, News.

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 explored their local communities, practiced their English skills, learned about art and science, and formed deeper bonds with their peers. 

Lowell, Massachusetts

“That was really nice. I met a lot of people and made new friends,” writes Farah, a 14-year-old from Afghanistan practicing her English in a tutoring session. “My favorite activity was planting the pots. It was so fun and I love the nature, which makes me happy.” 

Farah is one of twenty young refugees who have spent much of their summer with IINE in Lowell, not only working on their English, but also, sewing, swimming and playing sports at a local YMCA, practicing yoga in a dedicated youth space in the Lowell office, and taking field trips to local spots like Lowell’s New England Quilt Museum.  

They’ve also been making art—the “planting pots” activity that Farah enjoyed took place over two weekly “Art Afternoons.”  While listening to music, eating snacks, sipping tea, and mingling, participants were guided by an IINE community volunteer and a summer intern in decoratively painting two pots. In one pot they planted herbs—choosing from parsley, sweet basil, coriander, and chives—which IINE will plant in a community garden. In the second, they potted spider plants, which each participant was able to take home with them. 

The refugee youth taking part in Art Afternoons and other summer activities range in age from 14-20 (and sometimes bring younger siblings along to join the fun) and have come to the U.S. from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti and Syria. They are drawn from IINE’s year-long programs, Refugee Youth Mentoring and Youth Goal, in which they are matched with volunteer mentors, who help them set, pursue, and achieve their educational and career goals. They also participate in peer support groups, like a group especially for Afghan women, and workshops in which members of the local community present on education, work opportunities, and skill-building.  

As refugees, these youth have all experienced early trauma, and given their language and economic barriers, can feel isolated in their new communities. IINE Youth Services Manager Isabel Goes developed IINE’s summer programming to keep them engaged, help them practice their English, and encourage them to socialize and make friends. 

“The biggest thing was building community bonds with our youth—reducing isolation when resettlement starts,” says Goes, “and we’ve seen clients form close bonds this summer, which will be useful during the fall. We have tutoring twice per week which helps with English, but it’s also nice to have informal conversations during activities and see how far clients can get with what they know so far. It also opens the door if youth need any guidance during this time.”

While Goes also cites the potted plant activity as a highlight, she is particularly excited for what she has planned to cap off the summer. “There have been a lot of requests for a bake-off or a cook-off with IINE staff as judges! We also want to reserve space in the park for an end-of-summer celebration with yard games.”  

Manchester, New Hampshire 

Meanwhile, IINE staff at our Manchester site planned an equally fun summer for the children and youth engaged in our Refugee School Impact program, which supports newly arrived refugees in navigating the Manchester public school system.  

IINE School Impact Coordinator Jamie Suarez partnered with Southern New Hampshire University’s Center for New Americans Amika Youth Program, helping to plan summer field trips to state parks, amusement parks, and more during the school break.  

IINE has had a great relationship with the program for several years, and Suarez says, “This is a new expansion to our shared goal of giving refugee youth great experiences and keeping the kids educationally engaged throughout the summer months. We are providing additional funding to their existing program so they can take more kids and expand on their field trip experiences.” 

Among other fun activities, youth had a blast at Dupont Splash Pad and Chucksters mini-golf, found inspiration at the Currier Museum of Art, and enjoyed hands-on learning experiences at the SEE Science Center.

“Summer programming at the SNHU Center for New Americans was an absolute blast,” says Center for New Americans Program Coordinator Aloyo Lidia Yen. “The kids enjoyed new experiences with field trips to places some had never been before, mini golf, beach trips, movies, and more! Thank you, IINE, for helping make this happen.”
 

Volunteer mentors and tutors help our refugee youth clients to practice English, complete school assignments, prepare for interviews and exams, and more. If you are interested in volunteering with our youth, visit our Get Involved webpage.