This week, the International Institute of Buffalo participated in events celebrating the screenings of Cabrini at the North Park Theatre. The movie, partially filmed locally, spotlights the canonized Catholic nun and the patron saint of immigrants, Mother Cabrini. The producers tapped the talents of various Western New Yorkers for help. Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi and New American Integration Director Denise Phillips…
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We were honored to welcome 52 New Americans from 25 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony in downtown Buffalo this week. The countries from which these new American citizens traveled are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, Congo, Eritrea, Guinea, Iraq, Jamaica, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia,…
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Update: We are no longer holding open donation hours on site. To coordinate your drop offs please contact our Donations Coordinator Cara at: donations@iibuff.org. By the end of March we expect to assist 13 newly arrived refugees resettle and integrate into our community. Amongst our new American neighbors will be a family of five arriving from Burma that includes three…
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Mother Cabrini In honor of Women's History Month, we recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of influential immigrant and refugee women who've helped shaped the vibrant tapestry of America. Today, we spotlight the tireless work of Mother Cabrini, the canonized Catholic sister and the patron saint of immigrants. Maria Francesca Cabrina was born in Lombardy, Italy, on July…
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International Institute of Buffalo (IIB) Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi joined Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera, State Senator Sean Ryan, and representatives of the Refugee Partnership (TRP) to welcome the Chair of NYS Assembly’s Task Force on New Americans, Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest to Buffalo as they all called for $8 million in funding for the New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees…
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The latest and the greatest information from the International Institute of Buffalo in the form of our February 2024 Newsletter. Get more information about: Thoughts on s0me of the thing you may not know about IIB from Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi Info on A Taste of the Middle East reception for members of the Good Neighbors Society An update on donations…
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In case you missed it. Spectrum News 1 put the spotlight on International Institute of Buffalo clients thriving with local employers. The feature highlighted local restaurants' success with the help of eager and hardworking immigrant employees. But the relationships are a two-way street. Nick Pitillo, owner of Osteria 166 in downtown Buffalo, says his outreach to IIB yielded valued, driven…
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IB Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi discussed the issue of immigration during Theodore Roosevelt's lifetime, dispelled persisting myths about immigrants, and underscored the positive impacts that New Americans have in Western New York during her presentation, "Immigration Will Always be an American Story." She also discussed the important work of assisting newly arrived Americans in our community. The presentation was part…
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The City of Good Neighbors becomes a better place every day, thanks in part to the work done through the Good Neighbor Society. This annual fund, supported by contributions from the community, allows our teams to deliver the vital services that our clients need by working with government sources. As a special thank you, members of the Good Neighbor Society…
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Djimon Hounsou In honor of Black History Month, we're recognizing the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable Black immigrants and refugees who've helped shape the vibrant tapestry of America. Today, we focus on award-winning French-American model and actor, Djimon Hounsou. Djimon Hounsou was born on April 24, 1964, in the Republic of Benin, formerly the Republic of Dahomey.…
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