From the Desk of the CEO: The Stories and Faces Behind Our Theory of Change

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

Often when we think about a refugee’s experience in the U.S., we think of their earliest days here—the joy and fear of arriving in a new country after years of uncertainty, the culture shock that might occur their first time navigating an American grocery store or using public transportation, and the challenges of adjusting to an entirely new language and unfamiliar customs. But what happens after those initial days and weeks pass? What does life look like for a refugee six months or a year in? 

That depends on the resources that newly arrived families and individuals receive. Without the right support, refugees can become vulnerable to housing insecurity, financial instability, and isolation. That’s why at the International Institute of New England our work has always extended beyond those initial days of resettlement.  

Since our founding in 1918, when a group of compassionate women at a local YWCA began providing services to immigrant women and girls, IINE has been guided by the belief that investing in newcomers is not only the right thing to do, but also creates a richer culture, social fabric, and economy. When we support new arrivals throughout their first months and years here, we ensure that they not only stabilize but also thrive – and that their memories of those early, overwhelming moments give way to a series of proud milestones, such as becoming proficient enough in English to pursue a dream job in healthcare, purchasing their first car in the U.S., or as so many of our clients hope to do one day, becoming a U.S. citizen.  

Supporting refugees and immigrants as they put down roots, integrate into their new communities, and achieve their dreams—our Theory of Change—is what I find most inspiring about our work. 

Our Theory of Change

Career Advancement Job placement and the development of hard and soft skills through targeted training enables refugees and immigrants to earn a steady income while building pathways to careers. Welcome Newly arrived refugees fleeing conflict and persecution are offered housing, basic services, and a warm welcome to help them adjust to their new community.
Education English language classes and financial literacy courses create a foundation for future social, civic, and economic success.

Civic Engagement Immigration legal assistance empowers refugees
and immigrants to build roots, contribute to their communities, and support their families. Vision Refugees and immigrants start strong so that over time they can thrive, fulfill their dreams, and contribute to New England’s growth and prosperity.

Earlier this month, IINE hosted a Suitcase Stories® showcase at the Somerville Theatre. The afternoon featured powerful stories of migration and belonging, capped off by a performance from Zainab Abdo, a refugee from Syria. 

In 2013, Zainab, her siblings, and her parents were forced to flee their home in Aleppo after their apartment building was hit by a bomb. They would spend four years as refugees before being approved to resettle in the U.S. When they finally arrived in Massachusetts in 2017, IINE was here to welcome them. Our staff brought the family to their new apartment in Lowell, and in the following days, enrolled them in our English classes and connected them with employment support.  

Starting over wasn’t easy, but Zainab was determined. She balanced two jobs—working mornings at Dunkin’ Donuts and nights at Walmart—while studying English in between shifts. 

Eight years later, Zainab’s hard work—and IINE’s support—has clearly paid off. Zainab graduated from Middlesex Community College and is currently studying computer engineering at UMASS-Lowell. When she took the stage in Somerville, she reflected on her journey in the U.S. that recently led to an especially eventful and joyous weekend: on a Saturday she became a U.S. citizen, and then married her husband, a man she had met in the U.S. during the Covid pandemic, on the following Sunday.  

Zainab’s story is one of hundreds I have had the honor of witnessing since becoming CEO of IINE, and one of tens of thousands our organization has been a part of in the past century. Each of our clients’ stories, while unique, share common threads of resilience and hope. By supporting them beyond those first days in the U.S., we help refugees and immigrants heal, rebuild their lives, and work toward a brighter future for themselves, their future generations, and for New England.   

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