1/5 Des terres déchirées par la guerre aux nouveaux départs
The International Institute of Lowell has supported individuals and families fleeing humanitarian crises throughout its history. During World War II, it offered Red Cross training and immigration assistance. After the war, it resettled refugees from Europe and the Soviet Union. The 1953 Refugee Relief Act increased arrivals from China and Eastern Asia, followed by efforts for those fleeing the Azores and Cuba in the 1960s. In the late 20th century, it welcomed refugees from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, the Balkans, Central America, and Asia, as well as newcomers from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, and Iraq. In 2011, it merged with the International Institutes of Boston and Manchester to form the International Institute of New England.
2/5 Naviguer vers de nouveaux horizons
Since its founding, legal and citizenship services have been a cornerstone of the International Institute of Lowell. In its first 20 years, the organization significantly assisted with naturalization applications, helping 81 clients in 1930 and increasing to 528 by 1939. These efforts established IIL as a key source of legal information, aiding in family reunifications and immigration paperwork. Since its 2018 relaunch, IINE’s legal immigration services has supported over 200 Lowell, Boston, and Manchester clients in navigating complex immigration processes.
3/5 Renforcer les voix par l'éducation
Since 1918, the International Institute of Lowell has offered English classes, starting with 16 courses and 187 students. In the 1930s, it expanded to include foreign languages like Russian, Italian, and Arabic. The focus shifted to nursing during World War II before returning to English. In the 1950s and 1960s, the International Institute offered conversation and speech correction, as well as German, Portuguese, Armenian, and Spanish classes. Today, IINE provides extensive English instruction for refugees and immigrants and offers a Nursing Assistant training program to address the demand for skilled healthcare workers.
4/5 Construire l'avenir ensemble
Annually, our organization serves more than 10,000 refugees, asylees, and immigrants across three locations: Boston, Lowell, and Manchester. We aim to equip each of our clients with the skills and tools needed to achieve their dreams and contribute to New England’s growth.
Nous sommes liés dans le monde d'aujourd'hui, pour le meilleur et pour le pire. Si quelque chose se passe en Pologne ou en Grèce, nous en subissons les conséquences ici. L'idée d'un seul monde n'est pas nouvelle pour la politique de l'Institut international, car nous avons toujours pensé que plus nous comprenons les gens, mieux c'est pour nous tous.
In celebration of our centennial, IINE invited the greater Lowell community to participate in recognizing 100 remarkable leaders from Lowell’s immigrant population who have made significant contributions in their respective fields, as well as locally-born residents who have championed immigrant causes and supported immigrant issues.
The International Institute of New England has thrived for over a century because of the people we honored with the Lowell 100, and many more like them. Their support, hard work, and creativity drive immigrant communities like Lowell to regenerate, renew, and return that generosity to every generation.
The International Institute of New England is honored to partner with others in Lowell to make this a city that embraces people from around the world, and we look forward to growing and strengthening our extraordinary partnership over the next 100 years.
In celebration of its centennial, IINE invited the greater Lowell community to honor 100 remarkable leaders—both immigrants and locally-born residents—who have made significant contributions and championed immigrant causes.