International Day of Peace: A message from IINE’s CEO
Dear Friends: More than 40 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly declared September 21 as the International Day of Peace, a day in which nations commit to non-violence and cease-fire, and people throughout the world reflect on the steps they can take to [...]
A year after the fall of Kabul – Zahra’s story
On Sunday, August 15, 2021, the Taliban surrounded Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, and retook control of the battered nation. Skeptical of promises of a peaceful transition of power, thousands fled the country, fearful of persecution for their support of U.S. efforts in their country. 600,000 [...]
Farewell to IINE’s Friend, Mary Annie Wakim
Mary Annie Wakim died peacefully at Belmont House, Toronto, Ontario, on August 12, 2022, she was 102 years old. After graduating from St. Vincent's Girls High School in Saint John, N.B. in 1938, Mary moved to Boston, MA, where she began a 55-year career [...]
Farewell to a Trusted Board Member and Friend of Refugees, Thomas Lucey
The International Institute of New England joins the many friends, family, and colleagues mourning the loss of Thomas Lucey earlier this month. Thomas, who served on the IINE Board of Directors in the late 1990s and early 2000s, passed away peacefully on August 8, [...]
A closer look: “Resettle Together: Community Sponsorship at IINE”
Over the past several months, IINE has resettled more than 500 Afghan evacuees while simultaneously providing intensive case management and essential services to Haitians displaced by natural disasters and political unrest, children who crossed the U.S. border unaccompanied, and Ukrainians uprooted by war in [...]
Becoming a New American
The resettlement process doesn’t end once our clients safely relocate to their new communities. This is often just the beginning step on their path to building a new life in the United States. In celebration of Independence Day, we’d like to recognize [...]
Vania’s story: A Haitian asylee finds her voice
Vania at home in the U.S. In July 2020, Vania arrived in the U.S. from Haiti, fleeing from an unstable political situation and seeking to establish a better future for her two children, Nephtaine, 11, and Dahn, 8, whom she left in [...]
IINE’s CEO Statement on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
Dear IINE Friends and Supporters: On Friday, June 24th, the United States Supreme Court rescinded a 50-year-old constitutional right allowing women in all 50 states safe and legal access to abortion. The Court's decision means that in some states, women will have the right [...]
IINE’s Vice President Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade
Through the 14 years I have participated professionally in supporting the lives of refugees and immigrants, what has centered my commitment is the promise of human dignity, found in opportunities for freedom from oppression and persecution. Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to [...]
IINE Statement on Passing of Massachusetts Work and Family Mobility Act
Imagine worrying every time you had to bring a loved one to the doctor, drive to the store to buy groceries, or drive to get your kids from school, you may be separated from your family. This was a daily reality for some immigrants [...]
IINE Statement on Recent Mass Shootings
The International Institute of New England condemns the recent and horrific mass shootings in Buffalo, New York by a white teenager who intentionally targeted a Black neighborhood, and in Uvalde, Texas where 21 fourth graders and teachers were massacred. In these unspeakable acts, innocent [...]
Job skills training at IINE: Building new careers with MNPAP
Job skills training programs at IINE are designed to empower newly arrived refugees to achieve independence and stability, and to help currently employed immigrants move into higher-paying careers. IINE’s goal is to remove as many barriers in their way as possible, and to provide both [...]