Boston
2 Boylston Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02116
617.695.9990
Lowell
585 Middlesex St.
Lowell, MA 01851
978.459.9031
Manchester
470 Pine Street, Lower Level
Manchester, NH 03104
603.647.1500
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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.
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!
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:
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!).
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.
Par Jeff Thielman, président-directeur général de l'Institut international de la Nouvelle-Angleterre
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.
Nous vous remercions une nouvelle fois pour votre soutien constant. Grâce à vous, les réfugiés et les immigrants trouvent sécurité et espoir dans notre région.
Après avoir passé la majeure partie de sa carrière dans l'enseignement supérieur, Joe Gilbert a rejoint l'Institut international de la Nouvelle-Angleterre en tant que responsable du programme d'éducation dans notre bureau de Manchester l'année dernière. Dans notre dernier profil d'employé, Joe nous explique comment le programme ESOL et son équipe ont évolué, les nombreuses casquettes qu'il porte dans le cadre de ses fonctions et les endroits où vous avez le plus de chances de trouver ce natif du New Hampshire lors d'un jour de congé .
Qu'est-ce qui vous a amené à l'Institut international de la Nouvelle-Angleterre ?
J'avais enseigné à l'université du New Hampshire dans leur ESOL depuis quelques années et je m'apprêtais à y mettre un terme. Puis, au cours de mon dernier semestre, la pandémie a frappé. Cela a complètement changé mes plans. Je suis devenu un père au foyer pendant les deux années qui ont suivi. Une fois que le monde a commencé à devenir un peu plus sûr et que mes enfants sont retournés à l'école en personne, je me suis mis à la recherche d'un emploi.
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?
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.
À quoi ressemble votre quotidien ?
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:
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.
Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu'un qui souhaite rejoindre l'IINE ?
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.
Comment aimez-vous passer votre temps en dehors du bureau ?
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!
Vous souhaitez rejoindre notre équipe ? Notre environnement collaboratif et axé sur le travail d'équipe offre des possibilités de servir les réfugiés et les immigrants, tout en apprenant des autres membres du personnel et des autres services. Consultez les offres d'emploi ici.
Migrants. Immigrants. Réfugiés. Demandeurs d'asile. Libérés conditionnels. Tous quittent leur foyer en quête d'une vie meilleure. Certains partent par choix, d'autres par nécessité absolue. Les termes utilisés pour décrire les personnes qui prennent ces décisions difficiles et ces voyages sont déterminés par la raison pour laquelle elles viennent, et les différents droits légaux dont ils disposent à leur arrivée.
Les termes "migrant" et "immigrant" ne sont pas des statuts juridiques humanitaires statutesmais des descripteurs. Bien que l'usage varie, formellement ta principale différence entre les migrants et les immigrés est la permanence de leur séjour dans un nouveau lieu.
Les migrants sont des personnes en mouvement soit dans leur pays d'origine ou à l'échelle internationale, qui ne nécessairement l'intention deo séjourner à leur destination indéfiniment. Il est important de noter que le terme "migrant" est souvent utilisé comme terme générique lorsque l'on parle de's les motivations des personnes à franchir les frontières, ou leur ultime leur statut final après leur arrivée, n'est pasn'est pas clair.
Les immigrés choisissent de se rendre dans un pays étranger avec l'intention de s'y installer. Ils sont souvent soumis à une longue procédure de contrôle. Nombre d'entre eux deviennent des résidents permanents légaux et, à terme, des citoyens.
Le terme "émigrant" est utilisé pour décrire une personne qui quitte son pays d'origine, et "immigrant" est utilisé pour décrire une personne qui entre ou est entrée dans un nouveau pays.
Ces termes se réfèrent au statut juridique humanitaire - ils sont définis par les raisons de leur venue ou les moyens utilisés pour arriver, et aussi par les droits et les protections qu'ils reçoivent à leur arrivée aux U.S.
Les réfugiés quittent leur pays d'origine et et ne peuvent ou ne veulent ne peuvent pas ou ne veulent pas retourner dans leur pays en raison a crainte fondée d'être persécuté en raison de sa race, de sa religion, de sa nationalité, de son appartenance à un groupe social particulier ou de ses opinions politiques.
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 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 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, 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.
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.
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 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.
These statuses currently fall outside of humanitarian protections.
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.
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.
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.
Maryna, a Ukrainian refugee, was living in Kyiv with her daughter when Russia invaded the country in 2022. In her recent Suitcase Stories® performance she shared the story of her difficult and brave decision to say goodbye to family and friends in Ukraine with no idea when they may be reunited, and her determination to give her daughter a safe home in the U.S. Maryna came to IINE as a client and now works as an Employment Specialist on our Career Services team. Every day, she helps fellow Ukrainian refugees and other immigrants to acclimate to life in the U.S. and secure employment. The following is a transcript of Maryna’s story in her own words.
Since moving to the United States last year, I have visited many coffee shops in Boston, including Starbucks, Tatte, and Panera. I like Starbucks coffee the best. I order my latte with soy milk and one sugar. I am allergic to regular milk. I like how everything feels normal when I am drinking coffee. But sometimes, when I am sitting at a coffee shop and I hear the sounds of airplanes in the sky, I am immediately transported back to Ukraine. The sound makes me nervous, and I feel like I should run to a shelter. This is a kind of associative feeling from which it is very difficult to leave.
In Ukraine, I was a successful businesswoman. I worked in retail, setting up new businesses such as H&M and Adidas in malls.
I remember when I used to worry about such trivial problems as a broken nail or some kind of ugly hairstyle. This all changed on February 24, 2022. I remember waking up at 4 am as usual because I have a five-month-old daughter, and I needed to feed her. I saw fireworks at the window, or I thought it was a firework. Suddenly, I received an SMS from my friend who lived in the north of Ukraine. He wrote me: “Maryna, take your daughter, dog, and cat, and drive to a safe place. The War Has Started.” I was shocked. I didn’t know what to do. I called all my neighbors to tell them to take their stuff and drive. In one hour, my neighbors came and helped me to package all my stuff. When we finally left, I was driving with my 5-month daughter, cat, and dog and two neighbors (because they had no car).On the road, there were traffic jams, panic, horror, and crowded queues to fill up the car. I called my friends to know which road will be good. We were driving towards the border with Poland and hoped to find friends who could take us for the night. A drive that should have taken five hours took twenty-one. When we got to Lviv, our friends accepted us. Instead of taking a hot shower, resting, or having a bite to eat, we went straight to a shelter because we heard sirens throughout the city. I thought we would stay with them for one night, but instead, we stayed for three months. I did my best to stay busy. I volunteered, collecting donations coming across the border and distributing them to people. I remember my daughter crawling among the boxes. We had to stay busy, or my mind would go to dark places. The whole time I thought, “We will go home in a few days, we will go home in a few days.” But a few days would be another week.
Eventually, my neighbors and I decided to return to Kyiv. It was our home. We resigned ourselves to the fact that it will not be the same as before and that we would learn how to live in a new reality. We would be strong. Still, it was hard to return. People were different. People smiled less, and many businesses were closed. I could not return to work because international companies were no longer opening stores in Ukraine. I learned that the nanny who had watched my daughter when I went to work had been killed.
Still, I didn’t want to leave Ukraine. It is our home. I wanted to be strong.
This changed one day when a rocket flew into a neighboring house, and a five-year-old girl lost her parents and became an orphan and disabled. At that moment, I realized the same thing could happen to me and that my daughter could be left an orphan. I told myself I need to move. I found a program that helps Ukrainians to move to the U.S.A. My friend sponsored us, and after we got approved, I packed two pieces of luggage with our belongings and left. Again, the road was hard, and with every distant kilometer, I understood that my heart is in Ukraine, but I want to have a safe future for my daughter.
Upon arrival in Boston, I had to complete all the documents to legally stay in this state of the country so that we could be citizens of this community, and other Ukrainians suggested to me that I could apply to IINE. And I am very grateful to them for assisting in the preparation of all documents, for obtaining insurance, for helping with job searches, and for the fact that now I am part of them and can help Ukrainians like me.
One of the things I remind other Ukrainians is to find joy in the small moments. For me, that is a cup of coffee. Sometimes when I miss home, I actually go to the Natick mall and order a cup of coffee and walk around. It reminds me of my life in Ukraine, and I feel a little less anxious.
Plus, you can’t hear the airplanes from inside the mall.
Suitcase Stories® programming invites storytellers to develop and share meaningful personal experiences of migration and cross-cultural exchange with others—from large audiences to small groups—of all ages. Everyone has a Suitcase story.™ Learn more about Suitcase Stories®.
By Alexandra Weber, Chief Advancement Officer and Senior Vice President
Two years ago, on Sunday, August 15, 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul. More than 76,000 Afghans were evacuated to the U.S. Families arrived exhausted, fearful, and unsure of what would come next, and resettlement agencies across the country rushed to respond. Thanks to an incredible outpouring of support from our donors, community partners, and volunteers, IINE welcomed and resettled more than 500 Afghan evacuees in Massachusetts and New Hampshire within five months.
Now, two years later, what does life look like for Afghans in the U.S.? Devastatingly, it is still full of unknowns.
Humanitarian Parolee Status – An Impermanent Solution to a Lasting Problem
Afghan evacuees came to the U.S. as humanitarian parolees and were granted legal permission to stay for two years. Recently, the U.S. government offered Afghan families an extension of parole for another 12 months—which, in effect, extends their limbo. Afghan evacuees, most of whom traded their safety to support our country, need more than short-sighted and temporary permission to stay in the U.S. Having worked with the U.S. as allies, returning to an Afghanistan still ruled by the Taliban is not an option.
Join IINE in advocating for the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA). The bipartisan bill, recently reintroduced to Congress, would allow Afghans to apply for green cards and set them on a pathway to becoming permanent citizens. The AAA would enable those who came alone to bring their families to the U.S.; many Afghan evacuees were separated from their families in the chaos of being airlifted from Kabul, and their families remain in Afghanistan, in danger every day. Passing the AAA will mean that thousands of Afghans will be able to reunite with their families, and together, remain safely in the U.S. – a country they have come to call home.
A New Community, A New Home
Despite living in limbo, over the past two years Afghans have put down roots in New England. IINE has helped Afghan families in Manchester, New Hampshire gather weekly to cook together, socialize, practice English, and play games. They attend workshops on topics ranging from dental hygiene to child car safety, learning the cultural customs and norms of their new country. In Lowell, Massachusetts, Afghan women gather weekly for an IINE-led sewing class. A few participants have gone on to start their own sewing business; they are excited to be supporting their families and contributing financially in a way they never have before.
There are many more stories like these. Afghans have created community here. New England is now home.
Lend Your Voice in Support
Because of generous support from people like you, IINE has welcomed and supported 554 Afghans since August 2021. You can advocate for their permanent residency in the U.S. by contacting your congressional representative today and asking them to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act (S.2327 and H.R. 4627).
IINE’s donors are our heroes! When the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, you stepped up. You helped ensure that families who come to Massachusetts and New Hampshire find welcome and life-saving support. Now, your help is needed once more.
Violence, chaos, and widespread food and water shortages in Haiti are endangering the lives of its people. IINE is currently serving more than 5,000 Haitian immigrants – a number unlike anything we have ever seen before. Learn more and discover how to support this vulnerable population here: https://iine.org/5-things-to-know-about-the-crisis-in-haiti.
Julian joined the International Institute of New England earlier this year as a Case Specialist. Driven by a desire to help fellow Ukrainian refugees, Julian spends his days helping our clients to access the resources they need to achieve security in their new home. Julian shared his path to IINE, what he enjoys most about his role, and how he finds hope and purpose as the war in Ukraine continues.
Qu'est-ce qui vous a amené à l'Institut international de la Nouvelle-Angleterre ?
I didn’t necessarily envision myself working at IINE, but having lived in Ukraine for nineteen years of my life, I had a strong desire to help Ukrainians who were coming to Massachusetts through the U4U program. I knew that I would be well equipped to bridge the gap between Ukrainians who moved to Massachusetts and the possibilities that are available to them.
À quoi ressemble votre quotidien ?
As a Community Services Case Specialist my day to day varies, but every day there is a fair amount of documentation that takes place. In addition, I apply to different public benefits for my clients and check in with them to make sure that their needs are being met to the best of my ability.
Quel est l'aspect de votre fonction que vous appréciez le plus ?
I enjoy interacting with my clients and helping them to get from where they are to where they would like to be. I enjoy being a step in the process of becoming integrated into the community. I love connecting people, so meeting people and connecting them to different resources, community leaders, etc. is something I enjoy.
Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu'un qui souhaite rejoindre l'IINE ?
IINE is a special place in that you are one of the first people that someone meets when moving to the United States. You have the unique opportunity to help someone get on the right path toward their goals. In addition, you can be kind to someone who may not have experienced kindness or positive emotions for a long time.
Share something you are passionate about.
It’s difficult at times to focus on hobbies because for Ukrainians, the number one goal at the moment is victory and survival. In order to get to victory faster, I started an initiative for creative people to do projects for people and use the revenue to support Ukraine. I have been doing photo and video shoots to help my friends who are fighting in Ukraine and who are in dire situations (you can view the photos and videos on Instagram).
Vous souhaitez rejoindre notre équipe ? Notre environnement collaboratif et axé sur le travail d'équipe offre des possibilités de servir les réfugiés et les immigrants, tout en apprenant des autres membres du personnel et des autres services. Consultez les offres d'emploi ici.
“This is when we knew we had to start life all over.” Mapendo, a refugee youth client at IINE, is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo; however, she and her family have not been there in over a decade. In our blog, she shares her Suitcase Stories® performance – the story of her family’s journey from their home in the DRC, where life was comfortable until her father suddenly went missing; to Uganda, where they lived for ten years; to the U.S. After a long, difficult journey, Mapendo and her family of eight are putting down roots in Massachusetts, and Mapendo is determined to find success. She recently graduated from our Certified Nursing Assistant Program so she can pursue a role in healthcare. Here, she shares her story in her own words…
When I was young I felt like a celebrity because my father was a famous sculptor, researcher, and book writer about African art. We lived a life everyone worked hard to get in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was a luxurious life with my parents and four older siblings. Life was too smooth until one day my father went missing. We didn’t take it very seriously for the first weeks because he usually went for business trips for his research work, but as weeks turned into months, we started getting worried. The fact that we were not able to communicate with him made it even worse. As a little girl who never thought of living without both of her parents, I remember asking my mother each single day to bring back my father, but with tears rolling down her eyes, she had nothing to say. She only got more grief.
One night, we received a call from an anonymous number to find out it was my father. He was elaborating on how unsafe it was for us in Congo and that we had to flee immediately to Kampala, Uganda. That very night my family started packing only the things we will need for the journey. The young me was totally confused about what was going on, so I grabbed my favorite snack and a doll, thinking we were going for a family picnic.
We took a cargo ship to Uganda since it was the only means of transport we could get. Upon reaching Uganda, we took a bus that drove us to the capital. When we reached Kampala, we didn’t know how we were going to locate our father. We did not understand what people were saying. At that point I was confused about how I moved from luxury to the ghetto. Fortunately, a stranger saw how confused we were and took us to the nearest police station. One of the policemen knew Kiswahili and asked my mother questions. After a while, a stranger came claiming that he knew where we could find our father. He offered to take us. At that point, we had mixed feelings of happiness and fear, but fleeing from Congo was a risk we already made, so we had no choice but to go with him to where my father was.
At last, we met my father, and we were so happy to see him again after a year. But we were so exhausted and famished. When he took us to the place we had to start living, we all broke down. This is when we knew that we had to start life all over with nothing like cars, luxurious foods, houses, or Barbie bedrooms.
After five years, life got better and we had access to good schools and better houses, and my family had also expanded, but the fact was that we could not be offered citizenship as neither my grandfather nor father were Ugandans.
After ten years, we got resettled to the United States. We got so excited but we felt like something was missing because one of our sisters went missing and our going to the States meant that we will never get a chance to look for her ever again.
Upon arriving in the United States, we came with a lot of expectations only to find out that I needed to get a job so I can help out with bills, rent, and paying my own tuition. I’m currently working as a crew member at a fast food restaurant. As a young adult, I have learned that in life, regardless of what you are going through, there are moments of happiness that you need to make the most of.
Suitcase Stories® programming invites storytellers to develop and share meaningful personal experiences of migration and cross-cultural exchange with others—from large audiences to small groups—of all ages. Everyone has a Suitcase story™. Learn more about Suitcase Stories®.
Kubana Alexis a rejoint l'Institut international de Nouvelle-Angleterre en 2018 en tant que Compétences Tntation des Specialiste. Il est aujourd'hui directeur associé des initiatives en matière de main-d'œuvre, géreret d'innover l'innovation nos programmes de formation aux compétences professionnelles. Kubana Kubana a parlé de son de client à employé à l'IINE à l'IINE, ses conseils aux futurs employés de l'IINE, et de la manière dont il occupe son temps libre.
Qu'est-ce qui vous a amené à l'Institut international de la Nouvelle-Angleterre ?
Je suis arrivée à l'IINE en tant que cliente en 2017. J'ai été réinstallée ici en tant que réfugiée après avoir vécu en Ouganda pendant treize ans. J'avais travaillé avec des réfugiés pendant environ neuf ans auparavant, et j'étais passionnée par la poursuite de ce travail quoi qu'il arrive. Au début, cela n'a pas été facile. J'ai effectué une année de service en tant que membre de Commonwealth Corp. J'ai supervisé la recherche et le recrutement de bénévoles pour soutenir les programmes d'éducation, de formation professionnelle et d'accompagnement de carrière, ainsi que l'expansion des systèmes de sensibilisation des bénévoles de l'organisation. En 2018, mon année de service a pris fin et j'ai commencé à chercher un nouvel emploi. Je voulais rester aux États-Unis et être une source d'inspiration pour les autres. En arrivant ici en tant que réfugié, on a beaucoup d'attentes pour soi-même. Il peut être difficile de les satisfaire. J'étais déterminée.
Tout au long de l'année, je suis restée en contact avec mon assistante sociale à l'IINE. Ils m'ont proposé un emploi de spécialiste en formation professionnelle. Je voulais que les gens voient que l'IINE peut vous réinstaller et que vous pouvez également travailler pour eux.
Cela fait Cela fait cinq ans que vous avez rejoint l'IINE en tant qu'employé. Félicitations pour cet anniversaire professionnel ! Comment votre rôle a-t-il a évolué au fil du temps?
En tant que compétences Spécialiste de la formationJe me suis concentrée sur la coordination de la formation professionnelle et la formation des clients. En 2019, j'ai été promue au poste de Training Met j'ai poursuivi ce travail jusqu'en 2021. J'ai ensuite été promue Directeur associé, Initiatives en matière de main-d'œuvre. Dans ce nouveau rôle, j'ai élargi nos compétences existantes. compétences et mis en œuvre de nouvelles initiatives.
Pouvez-vous nous en dire plus sur ces nouvelles iniiatives ?
Bien sûr, permettez-moi d'en partager deux en particulier. L'un des premiers nouveaux programmes que nous avons piloté était un cours de développement professionnel dans nos trois sites (Boston et Lowell, Massachusetts, et Manchester, New Hampshire). Le cours a été conçu pour un éventail de niveaux d'anglais, des immigrants qui sont encore débutants à ceux qui sont très avancés. Beaucoup de nos clients ont un niveau d'éducation élevé et ont eu carrière dans leur pays d'origine. Je voulais concevoir un cours qui les aiderait à à trouver un bon emploi aux États-Unis. Nous abordons sujets tels que le professionnalisme et compétences non techniques, service à la clientèle, étiquette professionnelle en matière de courrier électronique, compétences transférables, travail d'équipe/collaboration, rédaction d'un curriculum vitae professionnel et d'une lettre de motivation, stratégies de recherche d'emploi, simulations d'entretien, professionnalisme/éthique du travail, etc. l'éthiques, et les négociations salariales. Cinq personnes viennent de terminer le cours avec succès et nous organisons bientôt la prochaine cohorte !
Un autre programme que j'ai piloté s'appelle SelfCorps. Avec ce programme, nous voulons être sûrs de ne pas ne que nous n'aidons pas seulement nos clients à trouver un emploi, mais aussi à s'intégrer dans leur communauté. Lorsque nous venons travailler, nous apportons avec nous les problèmes de nos foyers et de nos communautés. Les gens sont confrontés à des problèmes de santé mentale, à des problèmes financiers, à la réforme de la police, etc. Je veux aider les gens à trouver un équilibre entre leur vie personnelle et leur travail Je veux aider les gens à trouver un équilibre entre leur vie personnelle et leur travail et à se mettre en contact avec les ressources de leur communauté. Je veux aider les gens à trouver un équilibre entre leur vie personnelle et leur travail et les mettre en contact avec les ressources de leur communauté, c'est l'objectif du programme.
Vous êtes décidément très occupé ! À quoi ressemble votre quotidien ?
Chaque jour est différent. En ce moment, je suis très impliquée dans l'engagement communautaire, je travaille donc en étroite collaboration avec des partenaires externes, j'assiste à des conférences et j'organise des réunions sur le recrutement et la formation, etc. Cela pourrait être mon lundi, puis le mardi, je travaille sur une proposition de subvention. Le mercredi, je travaille sur le budget. Ça change tout le temps !
J'essaie également de travailler sur nos trois sites, afin de pouvoir collaborer avec nos différentes équipes - qu'il s'agisse de discuter de nos programmes avec un navigateur de carrière, de discuter avec le marketing de la manière de promouvoir nos programmes, ou de collaborer avec les RH pour réfléchir au recrutement et à la sensibilisation. Je cherche toujours à savoir où je peux être le plus utile ; je veux apporter mon soutien partout où je le peux.
Quel est l'aspect de votre fonction que vous appréciez le plus ?
J'aime pouvoir défendre les intérêts de nos clients. Ils ont des histoires inspirantes à partager.
J'aime aussi souligner le travail que nous faisons pour les soutenir. Je suis fière de dire que l'IINE a servi 7 000 réfugiés et immigrants cette année. Cela demande beaucoup de travail et de courage. Nous avons une équipe formidable.
Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu'un qui souhaite rejoindre l'IINE ?
Soyez flexible et ouvert au changement. Le personnel de l'IINE est une communauté accueillante. Ils veulent vous soutenir et vous enseigner, et vous devez être prêt à les soutenir et à apprendre, vous aussi.
Nous travaillons tous dans un but commun : soutenir les réfugiés et les immigrés et améliorer leurs conditions de vie. Croyez en cette mission et vous serez comblé ici.
Bonus : Partagez quelque chose à propos de vous que les gens pourraient être intéressés de connaître.
Je suis très sociable ! J'aime être avec les gens, écouter de la musique et danser ensemble. Je suis également un grand fan de sport. J'adore le football et le basket-ball. Je me considère comme un Bostonien ; aller Boston Celtics !
Vous souhaitez rejoindre notre équipe ? Notre environnement collaboratif et axé sur le travail d'équipe offre des possibilités de servir les réfugiés et les immigrants, tout en apprenant des autres membres du personnel et des autres services. Consultez les offres d'emploi ici.
Recevoir un appel des Red Sox pour se rendre à Fenway Park est le rêve de nombreux habitants de la Nouvelle-Angleterre. Même si on ne lui demandait pas d'endosser le costume, Nico Britt, responsable du service d'orientation professionnelle de l'IINE, a été ravi lorsque cela lui est arrivé peu avant le début de la saison de base-ball.
"Notre partenariat [en matière d'emploi] avec les Red Sox et Aramark, [qui fournit les concessions], a débuté parce qu'ils nous ont contactés", explique Nico. "Nous avons saisi l'occasion et contacté Jeff Carson, responsable du recrutement pour Fenway. Il nous a invités à visiter les installations. Il a travaillé dans le domaine de la réinstallation des réfugiés et se passionne pour l'idée de donner aux réfugiés et aux immigrés une chance de s'intégrer dans la main-d'œuvre américaine. Nos clients étaient très enthousiastes à l'idée de travailler à Fenway, un stade célèbre. L'horaire est super, car il permet aux clients de choisir leurs quarts de travail, ce qui offre une grande flexibilité.
En avril, plusieurs clients de l'IINE - des réfugiés à la recherche de leur premier emploi aux États-Unis qui s'étaient préparés avec le personnel des services de carrière de l'IINE - se sont rendus dans le parc de baseball préféré des Américains pour un événement de recrutement. Ils ont découvert les possibilités d'emploi offertes par Aramark à Fenway et ont ensuite passé des entretiens sur place. Trois clients, originaires du Yémen, de la République centrafricaine et de l'Ukraine, ont reçu des lettres d'offre pour des emplois dans les services de gardiennage.
Jusqu'à présent, leur expérience professionnelle à Fenway se déroule mieux que la saison 2023 des Red Sox, qui démarre lentement. "C'est un travail formidable. Je l'aime beaucoup", déclare Osamah, un récent réfugié du Yémen. "Aramark est un bon employeur.
Ce partenariat a-t-il permis de créer de nouveaux fans de baseball ?
Sean Burke, spécialiste des cas d'emploi à l'IINE, explique qu'en conservant les clients placés à Fenway, il constate qu'"ils ne suivent pas nécessairement tout ce qui se passe [sur le terrain], mais qu'ils apprécient l'enthousiasme - tout le monde est ravi d'être là".
Sean et ses collègues l'ont certainement été lorsque l'équipe du service d'orientation professionnelle de l'IINE a été invitée au parc pour assister à un match passionnant entre les Sox et les Mariners de Seattle, en remerciement de l'aide apportée à Aramark.
Maryna Vernyhora, une réfugiée ukrainienne qui travaille aujourd'hui comme spécialiste de l'emploi à l'IINE, est officiellement convertie. "C'était mon premier match. J'y retournerais volontiers. C'était incroyable ! Pour être honnête, avant je ne regardais pas du tout le baseball, mais maintenant je suis une fan des Red Sox !
Inspiré par les exploits des Sox en milieu de match (qui ont remporté leur cinquième titre de champion du monde en 1918, l'année où l'IINE a été fondé à Lowell), Sean a fait cette réflexion finale : "Cela a été une très belle opportunité. Le base-ball est un élément important de la culture américaine, et lorsque l'équipe est venue nettoyer le terrain après une sixième manche dramatique, j'ai réalisé à quel point les Red Sox et les services d'orientation professionnelle de l'IINE avaient un point commun : nous sommes tous deux des équipes emblématiques de la Nouvelle-Angleterre".
L'IINE propose des services de placement et des formations ciblées afin que les réfugiés et les immigrés puissent gagner un revenu régulier et se construire un parcours professionnel. En savoir plus sur nos services d'emploi.
