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In Action & Solidarity

This Juneteenth and World Refugee Day, join the International Institute of New England, Embrace Boston, and Everyone250 in honoring the Black, refugee, and immigrant community members who have strengthened U.S. culture, economy, and society.

At a time when federal policies increasingly target some of our most vulnerable communities, our organizations have joined efforts to elevate our shared values and missions, center lived experiences,  and reinforce that we are strongest when we come together in action and solidarity.

IINE

For more than 100 years, the International Institute of New England (IINE) has created opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. With locations in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts and Manchester, New Hampshire, IINE welcomes and serves thousands of individuals and families annually, including people displaced by political instability, violence, and climate crises; survivors of human trafficking; and unaccompanied children joining family members in New England. 

Embrace

Embrace is a nonprofit organization working to build a more equitable, inclusive, and connected city through art, culture, storytelling, and policy. Founded in 2017, Embrace activates public spaces, celebrates community, and drives systemic change toward a Boston where everyone feels seen, valued, and a true sense of belonging. Building on this work, Embrace is advancing the creation of a national civic and cultural hub in Downtown Boston that will serve as a permanent home for community connection.

Everyone250

Everyone250 is Boston’s campaign to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary through a lens of equity, justice, and belonging. The movement tells a fuller story of Boston, elevating voices too often overlooked, underrepresented, or erased. Through partnerships with over 250 community organizations and our Historical Markers Program, it highlights the contributions of immigrants, workers, and communities of color who have shaped the city’s past and continue to define its future.

JUNE OBSERVANCES

Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom must be protected.

The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation finally reached some of the last enslaved African Americans in the United States, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a day to honor Black freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of justice and equity.

At Embrace and Everyone250, we observe Juneteenth by creating spaces for learning, reflection, and storytelling. By honoring the struggles and triumphs that have shaped our nation, we deepen our understanding of history, strengthen civic participation, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to defend and advance democracy for future generations.

Learn More About Embrace and Everyone250 and Get Involved

World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day is a reminder to champion the right to seek safety 

First held globally on June 20, 2001 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, this international day designated by the United Nations honors the strength and courage of people who have been forced to leave their home country due to conflict and persecution.

At the International Institute of New England, we observe World Refugee Day by fostering moments for joy and celebration, reflecting on our nation’s history of immigration, and advocating for the rights of those who seek safety. Every World Refugee Day, we reaffirm our commitment to welcoming those in need, ensuring they have access to economic and social supports needed to succeed.

Get Involved With IINE