January marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, an important time to honor victims, become educated, and learn how to spot indicators of potential trafficking situations. “Human Trafficking, “trafficking in persons,” and “modern slavery” are umbrella terms used to refer to both sex and labor trafficking. Additionally, the elements of the crime can involve involuntary servitude, …
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Washington Post reporter Emily Wax-Thibodeaux interviewed Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi on how the Blizzard of 2022 impacted those in Buffalo’s refugee community. Click here for that story.
Pharmacists from local Wegmans supermarkets banded together to participate in our Gifts for Good Neighbors program. They “adopted” two local refugee families by buying them gifts for the holidays. One is a family of 7 from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the other is a family of 5 from Iraq. We thank the …
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If you did, you’d be wrong. (Actually, they’re owned by three refugees!) If you and your family had to flee your home country as refugees, what would you take with you? Could you fit all your important and meaningful things in only three bags like these? It puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? These are …
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IIB Executive Director, Jennifer Rizzo-Choi and Denise Phillips Behag, our director of New American Integration welcome Buffalo’s new Director of the Office of New Americans, Darren Saxon. We look forward to working with him to make Western New York a better place for, and because of immigrants and refugees! To learn more about our work welcoming …
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IIB staff and volunteers and those from Parkside Lutheran Church in Buffalo worked together to provide a memorable Thanksgiving feast before the actual holiday. For about 60 New Americans, it was their first traditional Thanksgiving meal! “Our refugee clients have come to Buffalo after escaping from something— religious, political, ethnic, racial, or gender-based persecution in …
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Channel 7 News reporter Jeff Russo covered the International Institute of Buffalo with a story about our Map for Adventurous Eaters update. He also highlighted the region’s cultural diversity through food by featuring Sahar Bakery, owned by the Attai family. They’re former refugees who came to America from Afghanistan in 2002. Click here if you …
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We’re asking WNY foodies for help identifying local ethnic restaurants and international markets! To suggest a change to the map, go to Map for Adventurous Eaters Updates. The map lists ethnic restaurants and international food markets in Buffalo and its surrounding suburbs. “The Buffalo region is well-known for being a great place for food and …
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The Professional Pathways program will help immigrants, refugees, and asylees to return to former professional careers or to continue higher education. The International Institute of Buffalo (IIB) and Leadership Buffalo announced today that the organizations are working together to provide mentorship opportunities for immigrants, refugees, and asylees, allowing them more opportunities for career success. IIB …
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In the second naturalization ceremony in Buffalo in a week, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services administered citizenship oaths to 35 New Americans from 20 countries today. We were happy and proud to be a part of it. Here is what you can do to help the newest of your fellow citizens to easily integrate …
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