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International Institute of Buffalo (IIB)

Nov 25
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A Resounding Success: Sold-out Crowd Applauds the Refugees of Comedy

By Events, News
A sold-out crowd recently enjoyed an evening of laughter, international fare, and music at Buffalo Toronto Public Media's studios—all to benefit the International Institute of Buffalo (IIB). A resounding success, the Refugees of Comedy event featured established Los Angeles-based comedians Thom Tran, Jose Sarduy, and Jose Barrientos. The internationally touring entertainers drew partly from their experiences serving in the United States…
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Nov 15
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IIB Celebrates with Parkside Lutheran for Third Annual Refugee Thanksgiving Dinner

By Events, In the Community, News
For a third year, staff and volunteers from the International Institute of Buffalo (IIB) and Parkside Lutheran Church provided the first Thanksgiving meal for refugees. The congregation members cooked the turkeys while also assisting with food donations. The dinner was prepared Tuesday afternoon at Parkside Lutheran Church in Buffalo. More than 80 newly arrived refugee clients joined for the celebration.…
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Nov 08
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IIB Welcomes 48 New Americans from 26 Countries!

By In the Community, News
We were honored to welcome 50 New Americans from 24 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony in downtown Buffalo this week. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Burma, Burundi, Canada, China, Congo, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Mexico, Russia,…
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Nov 06
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American Flag

Statement from Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi on the Recent Election

By News
As it has for over 100 years, the International Institute of Buffalo will continue to make Western New York a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees, regardless of who sits in the White House. We look forward to working with politicians, community leaders, and other stakeholders who understand the value of foreign-born people in our region. Independent…
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Oct 30
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Somali Bantu Mural

New Mural Celebrates Somali Bantu Community

By News
International Institute of Buffalo joined Assemblymember Jon Rivera, Buffalo Common Council President David Rivera, representatives from Providence Farm Collective, and other stakeholders to unveil a dynamic new mural recognizing and celebrating Buffalo's Somali Bantu community. The vibrant art includes hues of radiant blue representing the rivers of Somalia, while colors of green and elements of the Somali flag and its…
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Oct 30
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Good News

October 2024 Newsletter

By Newsletter
The latest from the International Institute of Buffalo in the form of our October Newsletter. In this month's newsletter: Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi comments on why this next election is the most consequential in our lifetimes. Information on our next fundraiser, The Refugees of Comedy including the addition of Pulitzer Prize winner Adam Zyglis to the program! How you can…
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Oct 22
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People taking the oath of naturalization.

Dispelling Myths About Immigrants and Refugees

By Education
Myth: “Those countries are emptying their prisons and sending them here.” Truth: American immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than US-born people. Source: Cato Institute (February 2024) and Immigrants less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born: NPR- reporting on a study by The Marshall Project(March 2018) Why Are Immigrants’ Incarceration Rates So Low? Evidence On Selective Immigration, Deterrence, and…
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