Autor: Danielle Gauthier

6 cosas que hay que entender sobre cómo la crisis climática está desplazando a personas en todo el mundo y qué podemos hacer para ayudar

"El periodo de calentamiento global ha terminado; el periodo de ebullición global ha llegado", anunció el Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas, Antonio Guterres, durante otro verano récord de temperatura global en 2023. El calentamiento global afecta a los suministros de alimentos y agua, provoca la subida del nivel del mar que disminuye las tierras habitables y crea desastres naturales destructivos. Ya es un factor que desplaza a millones de personas de sus hogares en todo el mundo cada año, a menudo denominados "refugiados climáticos". Los países de todo el mundo tienen que prepararse para que este problema empeore mucho más si no se invierten las tendencias, y mientras trabajamos para reducir las causas de las crisis climáticas, también tenemos que proteger mejor a las personas que corren más riesgos.

He aquí 6 cosas importantes que hay que saber sobre los "refugiados climáticos".

1. Los "refugiados climáticos" son personas que se han visto obligadas a abandonar sus hogares por los efectos del cambio climático, pero el término no es del todo exacto.

"Refugiado" es un término con un significado jurídico preciso. Definidos por el Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Refugiados, los refugiados son personas que han abandonado sus países de origen y no pueden o no quieren regresar debido a un temor bien fundado de ser perseguidos por motivos de raza, religión, nacionalidad, pertenencia a un grupo social determinado u opinión política. Cuando se concede, el estatuto de refugiado confiere a las personas importantes derechos en su nuevo país, permitiéndoles permanecer, trabajar y recibir ayuda de organismos de reasentamiento como el IINE, que les puede cambiar la vida. En la actualidad, el estatuto de refugiado no se concede legalmente a las personas que pierden su hogar a causa de la crisis climática.

"Desplazados climáticos" es un término general más preciso para referirse a los desplazados por la crisis climática. El término "migrantes climáticos" aparece a menudo en los medios de comunicación, pero sólo describe a quienes planean quedarse en su destino temporalmente.

2. Las personas desplazadas por catástrofes climáticas no están protegidas por el Derecho internacional.

Legislatón se ha propuesto proteger climate displazado personspero hasta ahora se ha estancado. El senador Ed Markey (D-MA) presentó un proyecto de leyo establecer una Estrategia Global de Resiliencia al Cambio Climático en 2019, y luego con Nydia Velásquez (D-NY) en 2021, y de nuevo en 20 de noviembre de 2023con el respaldo del IINE. Entre otras necesarias medidas necesarias, en sería una vía de reasentamiento en EE.UU. para los desplazados climáticos. desplazados climáticos.

3. Las catástrofes climáticas pueden destruir viviendas muy rápidamente o lentamente con el paso del tiempo.

Las catástrofes climáticas pueden ser de dos tipos: repentinas o lentas.

Las catástrofes climáticas repentinas son acontecimientos que se producen rápidamente y causan enormes daños, como terremotos, huracanes y ciclones, tsunamis, inundaciones y erupciones volcánicas. En muchos casos, hacen que la gente emigre a nuevas zonas dentro de sus propios países, convirtiéndose en "desplazados internos".

Las catástrofes climáticas de evolución lenta no están causados por un acontecimiento repentino, sino que son consecuencia de factores de estrés prolongados, como las sequías, o de erosiones lentas pero devastadoras, como cuando la subida del nivel del mar reduce las tierras habitables. Estas catástrofes no sólo pueden ser desestabilizadoras, sino que, en algunos casos, hacen que los lugares sean permanentemente inhabitables.

4. Aunque no sea la única causa, cas catástrofes climáticas empeoran otras causas de desplazamiento.

El setenta por ciento de los refugiados y el ochenta por ciento de los desplazados internos han huido de países que se encuentran entre los más afectados por la crisis climática según ACNUR, la agencia de la ONU para los refugiados.

El cambio climático multiplica las amenazas. Para los países que luchan contra factores de estrés como la pobreza y la pérdida de empleo, la competencia por unos recursos cada vez más escasos, las infraestructuras dañadas y la corrupción gubernamental, las catástrofes climáticas empeoran estos retos, lo que puede avivar las tensiones, provocar conflictos y llevar a la gente al límite de tener que abandonar sus hogares.

Las catástrofes climáticas también pueden hacer que las personas sean más vulnerables a convertirse en víctimas de la trata de seres humanos. "Los traficantes pueden explotar las condiciones [de crisis climática] prometiendo comida, refugio y otros recursos, a veces haciéndose pasar por personal de respuesta a catástrofes o profesionales de los servicios sociales para ganarse su confianza", según el gobierno estadounidense. según la Oficina contra la Trata de Personas del gobierno de EE.UU..

5. Globalmente, was mujeres, niños, minorías perseguidas, los pueblos indígenas con fuertes lazos con su tierra, las personas con menores ingresos, y los inmigrantes de todo tipo corren un riesgo desproporcionado de las catástrofes climáticas.

Las desventajas pueden ser nefastas. Estas poblaciones corren más riesgos porque tienden a tener menos poder de decisión poder de decisión, menos protecciones gubernamentales, menos recursos para adaptarse a las crisis climáticas, más que perder cuando la tierra deja de ser cultivable, y menos capacidad de resistencia cuando otros intentan obligarles a abandonar sus sus recursos.

 
En "justicia climática climático" También señala el hecho de queque los que menos han contribuido a la crisis climática-países menos industrializados y menos menos industrializados y prósperos. afectados por it y deben ser compensados. En citado a menudo estudio de The Lancet atribuye el 92% del exceso de emisiones de CO2 a los Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea.  

6. Para minimizar el impacto negativo del cambio climático y proteger mejor a las poblaciones más vulnerables, debemos prepararnos ahora.

Podemos atenuar esta crisis mediante la cooperación y la acción colectiva. Queda mucho por hacer:

• Apoyar vías de inmigración legal bien definidas, protecciones humanitarias y libertad de movimiento a través de las fronteras para las personas desplazadas por desastres climáticos. Lea sobre la propuesta del senador Markey "Ley de desplazados climáticos."
• Apoyar los numerosos proyectos de mitigación climática dirigidos por pueblos indígenas, refugiados y desplazados internos que a menudo son los que corren más riesgos y los que más saben de sostenibilidad.
• A nivel local, apoyar viviendas asequibles y sostenibles e infraestructuras sostenibles para dar cabida a más personas a largo plazo. Lea las recomendaciones del nuevo "Jefe del Clima" de Massachusetts y
  lea sobre el proceso de actualización del Plan Climático de Nuevo Hampshire.
• Garantizar que los recién llegados a Estados Unidos tengan acceso a información en su propio idioma sobre los esfuerzos locales para mitigar el cambio climático, y los derechos, protecciones y procedimientos en caso de emergencias climáticas locales.
• Contribuir a los esfuerzos para reducir y mitigar las emisiones de carbono y aumentar la sostenibilidad a escala local.
• Comprometerse a acoger y apoyar a los desplazados climáticos de la misma forma en que actualmente acogemos y apoyamos a los refugiados.

A medida que aumenta el número de personas desplazadas en todo el mundo por el desastre climático, el IINE está preparado para acogerlas. Estamos orgullosos de prestar servicios que cambian la vida de más de 10.000 refugiados e inmigrantes cada año. Por favor, considere donar hoy para apoyar nuestro trabajo.

During the harsh chill of their first New England winter, several of IINE’s refugee clients are finding warmth in beautiful, hand-crafted blankets from longtime community volunteer Lydia Walshin.  

Each time Lydia donates one of the colorful “Welcome Blankets” she has crocheted, she attaches a card with a message of welcome that explains their story: 

“Welcome to the United States. We are so happy you’re here. 

My name is Lydia and I live in Boston with my husband, who immigrated here from Canada. My grandparents came to the U.S. from Poland in the 1920’s and lived in New York, where I was born. My grandmother taught me to make blankets like this one, so it feels good to share my grandmother’s love with you all. This pattern is called a “granny square”—granny is short for grandmother! 

I hope your life in the Boston area will fill you with peace and joy, that your family will find comfort and friendship, and that you will feel free. People here are friendly and will try their best to help you. My family and I wish you all the best.“

Lydia started making Welcome Blankets back in 2017 as part of a national craftivism project. She sent her blankets first to museum exhibits, and then to the southern border where they were distributed to newly arriving immigrants. It was one way she could use her skills to take positive action and ease the anxiety she felt over anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies surrounding the recent presidential election.  

Another was volunteering as an ESOL tutor. “I had never done this work before, but I was a writer for my whole life,” Lydia explains. She is a food writer with several ebooks to her credit and a blog called Lydia Likes It. “I had a pretty good command of the English language, had traveled a lot and had to make my way as somebody who only speaks English in many countries around the world, so I thought, let me give it a try, and I loved it.” 

A resident of Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood, she started volunteering at several local agencies serving immigrants and particularly liked working with IINE.  

“IINE was great! The teacher was very creative and really got me hooked on it! The students obviously respected him. They worked hard, and they laughed a lot. They were determined to succeed here whatever it took, and I was so impressed with that.” 

Lydia has steadily continued to volunteer in ESOL classes, drawing on her passions for food, international soccer, and writing to connect with adult learners from all over the world. 

 She also regularly checks IINE’s website to see what kind of donations are needed. When she saw some winter needs listed, her Welcome Blankets seemed like a perfect fit. 

Lydia connected with IINE’s Volunteer Coordinator Kate Waidler, who was happy to receive Lydia’s Welcome Blankets. Lydia started making and donating more and more of them. She doesn’t know who specifically will receive them but says, “I try to send them off with lots of love in my heart and hope that that spirit takes them where they need to go.” 

Annis Roberts is one of the IINE Case Specialists who has had the pleasure of giving a Welcome Blanket to a recently arrived family. “Their almost three-year-old-daughter loved it!” Annis says. “She loves pink so this was the perfect one for her. When I left, she was wrapping her doll in it, so safe to say she was very happy to receive it!” 

Lydia calls the pink designs, her “Barbie” blankets. She is also fond of making rainbow-colored designs. “I make a lot that are rainbows because I think rainbows are optimistic, and we’re trying to say to people, ‘We are so glad you’re here. We want you to have a wonderful life, and we’re here to help you.’ I think rainbows say that.” 

She hopes other volunteers will join her in making Welcome Blankets and emphasizes that they are an easy project for any fiber arts crafter. They can be sewn, knitted, or crocheted, and the Welcome Blanket Website offers patterns, photos, and sources for materials. For her, the project is a way to keep up the momentum.

“As somebody who still teaches students and goes to classes, this is something I can do at home that keeps the movement going but is a bit quieter and calmer. It brings me joy to picture people opening a box and seeing the blanket and saying, ‘wow!’ I think that’s great.” 

If you would like to become involved in making Welcome Blankets, you can reach out to Lydia directly at lydiawalshin42@gmail.com. 

Interested in IINE’s volunteer opportunities? Click to find a list of ways you can get involved.

By Alexandra Weber, Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer at the International Institute of New England

At IINE, we are so fortunate to be surrounded by a community of passionate supporters who want to make a difference in the lives of refugees and immigrants. Our volunteers, in particular, play a critical role in ensuring our clients receive the help they need, from assisting ESOL students to mentoring refugee youth, driving clients to medical appointments and job interviews, delivering groceries, setting up apartments, and so much more. We couldn’t serve thousands of refugees and immigrants every year without their support.  

Many people are often surprised to hear, therefore, that volunteering isn’t the only way to have a real and tangible impact on refugee and immigrant families. In fact, supporting IINE through donations goes just as far—if not further—in helping the newcomer populations we serve. Educating yourself on the facts about immigration, getting the truth out in private and public conversations and advocating for support from your elected representatives are also powerful ways to support our newest neighbors. If you are interested in getting involved, but don’t know where to start or how to have the most impact, this post is for you!  

Every Dollar Counts – More Than You Know

When you donate, you ensure refugee and clients receive professional, trauma-informed services 

How do professional services help people? The process to apply for public benefits, including cash assistance, food, and healthcare, is complex and hard to navigate – especially for non-native English speakers. IINE’s refugee and immigrant clients would not be able to access critical basic benefits without the support of our trained, professional, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural staff. Our professional care specialists are also equipped to navigate highly sensitive topics, provide trauma-informed care, and ensure confidentiality. While many of our supporters are eager to provide direct service to our clients, it requires significant training, expertise, and sensitivity to do so. When you choose to donate funds, you ensure that refugees and immigrants are receiving the expert help they desperately need to build a better life in our communities.  

Crises are certain to come, but public funding is not – you can bridge the gap  

One thing that we know with certainty is that human displacement worldwide is growing. As conflicts and climate change continue to force people away from their homelands, families and individuals will continue to risk their lives in pursuit of safety— and IINE will be here for them. However, there is no similar enduring commitment of federal and state funding. In recent years especially, as U.S. immigration policies have shifted profoundly and unpredictably, the amount of funding we receive has, too. To withstand fluctuations in funding so we can respond to all in need, IINE relies on ongoing support from our communities and donors – from people like you. When you give, you help ensure we will be able to welcome, embrace, and provide the highest standard of service to those in need now and to those yet to come. 

Your Voice Matters

When you educate yourself your community, and your representatives, you help change harmful narratives around immigration and immigrants 

Public conversations around immigration are often heated, politicized, and dangerously, filled with inaccuracies. Educating yourself on the immigration process, the level of support refugees and immigrants receive, and how they pay that support back in dividends—and then sharing this information with others—can help create a shift in public opinion. Start with correcting these common misunderstandings: 

Myth: The process to legally enter the U.S. and to stay is easy.  

Reality: This is far from the case. For refugees, the process to come to the U.S. is offered to very few, entails multiple steps, and often takes years (see our blog post, “Explainer: The U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program” to learn more). For many other immigrants eligible for U.S. entry, the complexity and cost of the application process for authorization is intense. Once here, many refugees and immigrants experience an uphill battle to adjust temporary status to a more permanent status that will allow them to stay in the country, and once applications are filed, they can take years to process. Around ten years ago, in 2012, the average processing time from application to approval of citizenship was 4.6 months. By 2023, the wait had tripled in length to 15.5 months.   

Myth: Many immigrants are criminals. 

Reality: There is no evidence to support the argument that there are higher levels of criminality among immigrant populations. In fact, studies have shown the opposite. A largescale study from 2018 found that as immigration grew in major U.S. cities from 1970 to 2010, the crime rate decreased.  

Myth: Immigrants receive an unfair level of support from the government and are a drain on the U.S. economy.  

Reality: Many refugees and immigrants have endured unimaginable hardships and long, dangerous journeys to come to the U.S. When they first arrive, many receive basic support to stabilize through eligibility for programs such as food stamps. The majority of immigrant families that receive support contribute to our economies across a lifetime in return. According to a recent report from the American Immigration Council, in 2021, immigrants in the U.S. had a collective spending power of $1.4 trillion and paid $525 billion in taxes. Newcomers strengthen our workforce, filling roles in healthcare, STEM, construction, environmental services, and more, and 22% of entrepreneurs nationwide were born outside of the U.S. In many New England states, immigrants are the key and often only strategy to combat a shrinking workforce. Our local and national economies depend on immigrants.     

Learn more in our blog post:  “10 Common Myths About Immigrants and Refugees” 

Thank you for your interest in supporting refugees and immigrants in our community. Learn more about these issues by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on social media, and make a life-changing impact when you donate today.  

Dr. Caforio is recognized for his contributions to the healthcare industry in the U.S.

BOSTON – December 6, 2023 – The International Institute of New England (IINE) announced Dr. Giovanni Caforio, Executive Chairman of the Board and former CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb, as the recipient of the 42nd Golden Door Award. The prestigious award is given annually to a leader born outside the United States who has made outstanding contributions to American society. Caforio will be honored at The Golden Door Award Gala held on Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston.

“We thank Dr. Caforio for accepting the 42nd Golden Door Award and for his extraordinary leadership at Bristol Myers Squibb. Under his leadership, the organization has revolutionized the way we treat cancer,” said Jeff Thielman, President and CEO of the International Institute of New England. “Dr. Caforio exemplifies the drive and compassion of refugees and immigrants celebrated through the Golden Door Award, which honors their tremendous contributions to American society.”

Dr. Caforio served as Bristol Myers Squibb’s Chief Executive Officer from May 2015 to October 2023. Born and educated in Italy, Dr. Caforio has been dedicated to leading Bristol Myers Squibb’s efforts in researching and developing groundbreaking medicines. Joining in 2000 as Vice President and General Manager in Italy with the Worldwide Medicines Group, Dr. Caforio then added responsibility for Greece and Israel in 2001, and for Southeast Europe in 2003. In 2007, he relocated to the U.S. and assumed the role of Senior Vice President of U.S. Oncology.

Behind a leading portfolio of immunotherapies that are fundamentally changing the way cancer is treated, the former physician has helped strengthen Bristol Myers Squibb’s patient-focused culture—one driven by innovation, speed, accountability, and passion. As a leader, he is focused on the business value of a company culture that promotes and rewards diversity and inclusion.

“A dedicated physician, leader, and visionary, Giovanni is truly a worthy recipient of this award,” said Ted Samuels, Lead Independent Director at Bristol Myers Squibb and GDA Host Committee member. “As an immigrant himself, Giovanni has supported the diverse experiences and perspectives of our employees. He has also been at the helm of Bristol Myers Squibb’s commitment to diversifying our clinical trials to help the populations most in need. Giovanni wholeheartedly believes in continuing to develop treatments and medicines for everyone, everywhere.”

“Thank you to the International Institute of New England for this incredible recognition,” said Dr. Giovanni Caforio, Executive Chairman of the Board and former CEO at Bristol Myers Squibb. “I am honored to join a long list of highly accomplished refugees and immigrants representing diverse professions in academia, music and culture, the political arena, biotech and more, all celebrated for their integral role in elevating their communities in the U.S.”

In receiving the Golden Door Award, Dr. Caforio joins a distinguished list of past recipients, including 2023 honoree Dr. Srikant M. Datar, Stéphane Bancel, Dr. Reshma Kewalramani, Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Dr. Rafael Reif, Dr. Joseph Aoun, Justice Margaret Marshall, Yo-Yo Ma, An Wang, Stephen Mugar, I.M. Pei and more.

SOBRE EL INSTITUTO INTERNACIONAL DE NUEVA INGLATERRA

El Instituto Internacional de Nueva Inglaterra (IINE) crea oportunidades para que los refugiados y los inmigrantes tengan éxito a través del reasentamiento, la educación, la promoción profesional y las vías hacia la ciudadanía. Con sedes en Boston y Lowell (Massachusetts) y Manchester (New Hampshire), el IINE atiende anualmente a más de 10.000 personas, entre ellas desplazados por la inestabilidad política, la violencia y las crisis climáticas, niños y adultos supervivientes de la trata de seres humanos y menores no acompañados que se reúnen con familiares en Nueva Inglaterra. El IINE ofrece una amplia gama de programas y servicios para ayudar a estos recién llegados a sentirse bienvenidos, lograr estabilidad y seguridad, y acceder a recursos en sus nuevas comunidades; avanzar en sus objetivos de educación y empleo; e integrarse en sus comunidades. La experiencia del IINE se basa en más de un siglo de servicio, y con la continua colaboración de grupos comunitarios y el apoyo de filántropos de toda Nueva Inglaterra, el IINE continuará prestando este servicio durante los próximos 100 años y más allá.

The Golden Door Award has been an IINE tradition for more than 50 years honoring a person born outside the U.S. that has made outstanding contributions to American society. Our annual gala is an occasion that calls us to stand together in celebration of the achievements of immigrants who have played an integral role in our communities, economy, and society. Learn more about the 2024 Golden Door Award Gala here.

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

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

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

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

What first inspired you to join 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? 

Kate Bertino, Managing Attorney

Celebrated her 3-year work anniversary in 2023

What first inspired you to join IINE? 

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? 

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.