Buffalo officials have opened 12 cooling centers and extended hours at ten splash pads across the city. The announcement comes as temperatures are expected to soar into the high 80's and 90's throughout the week. Additionally, Buffalo Emergency Responders remind folks to limit outdoor activities during this hot spell, drink plenty of fluids, and utilize shade when possible. Those working…
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Please join us for a 2-hour virtual training/discussion on the topics of trauma, vicarious trauma, and self-care for interpreters. Click here to register Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. If you are able, please offer a donation of any amount you'd like to help cover the operating costs of our diverse departmental offerings, or even perhaps for…
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Recently, we honored our dedicated team of volunteers with an evening of lively conversation, dinner, and games. The Volunteer Appreciation Night recognized the considerable time, energy, and physical contributions provided by volunteers from across Western New York year-round. Volunteer Appreciation Night welcomed approximately 50 volunteers to our downtown location. They were joined by staff to enjoy ethnic foods provided by…
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Local non-profit Wheels for Workers 716 stopped by our location on Delaware Avenue to generously donate 10 bicycles, along with helmets and locks. They’ll now be given to our newly arrived refugee clients to help them get to and from work, school, grocery shopping, and other essential destinations. Since this past September, Wheels for Workers has now donated a total…
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Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo, Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, discussed the business case for why immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are good for Western New York during a recent interview with Penny Wolfgang. If you missed it, here it is! Learn more about how New Americans are good for the business community and the economy, click here.
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We were honored to welcome 33 New Americans from 17 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony in downtown Buffalo this morning. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, China, Eritrea, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, Congo, Mexico, Mongolia, Philippines, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Vietnam.…
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In case you missed it, WIVB-TV Channel 4 recently asked Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi to discuss the Biden Administration’s new Executive Order on immigration. The order restricts access to asylum, which would take effect when U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions surpass a weekly average of 2,500 per day. The illegal crossings must go below a weekly average of 1,500 per day…
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The Department of Motor Vehicles Mobile Unit recently joined our employment team to make applying and processing DMV paperwork easier and accessible for our clients. The new partnership seamlessly links our newly arrived refugee clients with DMV representatives to get various applications completed quickly and efficiently on-site. Many of the transactions offered at DMV brick-and-mortar locations can also be conducted…
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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 or call (716)883-1900 extension 329. In June, we expect to resettle several new #refugee families. We'll also have several small and individual cases that are bound by limited funding. From bed linens and umbrellas, to large…
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