New Look, Same Mission

Over the past year, our Director of Development & Communications along with the team at 19 IDEAS have worked diligently on our new website and rebranding efforts.  Beginning with a comprehensive strategic plan developed by our Board and a brand attribute assessment prepared by 19 IDEAS, the International Institute of Buffalo sought to create an identity that supports our mission “to make Western New York a better place for, and because of, immigrants.”

The Institute, as it prepares to celebrate 100 years of service to the wider Buffalo community in 2018, strives to make our region an inclusive and multicultural community.  This project sought to reiterate that message with the creation of our new Institute logo, four department logos, and a website that retains an approachable and engaging vibe, while being both strong and bold.

The sub-logos for our four departments—New American Integration, Education & International Visitors, Survivor Support and Interpreting & Translation—each demonstrate a recurring theme that keys into a specified area of the Institute.  Each of those four logos fit into the larger pillar logo that embodies the Institute as a whole.

Resembles a house. New American Integration assists refugees in achieving their goals of self-sufficiency and active participation in the community. Services provided: housing, community orientation, and linkage to health care, education, employment and social services.

Resembles a book. Education & International Visitors enlightens learners of all ages and builds bridges among different cultures in Western NY and around the world. Services provided: cultural competency training, health literacy, and educational programming.

Resembles shielding arms. Survivor Support offers safe, free and confidential services for those affected by domestic violence and human trafficking.

Resembles open arms. Interpreting & Translation provides reliable and quality professional interpreters and translators for all industries through various delivery methods. Assistance offered in more than 100 languages.

Our new website is clean, easy to navigate and serves as a way to communicate the Institute’s role and impact that it has had, and will continue to have, on Western New York.  Apart from outlining the services that the Institute offers, we look forward to launching several new additional features—including a directory of ethnic organizations around Buffalo and a section for Institute staff and Board to blog.  Stay tuned for Meet the Staff, Cultural Organization Spotlight, and other features!

While our look may have changed, our values and operating principles certainly have not.  Building on its 100 years of experience, the International Institute of Buffalo continues to grow, collaborate with and welcome “an inclusive, multicultural community that embraces all people” in Western New York.