refugees

May 21
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Join the Club! IIB Bolsters Services with New Volunteer Programs

By Education, In the Community, News
The International Institute of Buffalo (IIB) recently launched two new volunteer programs to continue our essential work of helping new neighbors acclimate and integrate into Western New York. Employment Buddies and Conversation Club team volunteers with IIB clients on the ground level in small groups or one-on-one to work on resumes, apply for jobs, practice casual English, and foster friendships.…
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May 15
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Joining the Workforce: IIB Job Club Members Learn New Skills for Employment Success in America

By Education, In the Community, News
https://youtu.be/W6y_fDeYIwk?si=9yAmdv4V83Rp97kX Our Job Club helps New Americans roll up their sleeves to gain the integral skills and knowledge to enter and navigate the job market quickly and successfully. Since job searching and work culture vary greatly depending on their country of origin, Job Club is a 16-hour, comprehensive program offered through our Employment Services Department, where participants learn about the…
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May 13
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David Tran: Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month

By History, News
In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight Vietnamese American entrepreneur and inventor David Tran, the creator of one of the most recognizable condiments in the world: Sriracha. David Tran was…
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May 08
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Mazie Hirono: Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month

By History, News
  In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we highlight Japanese American Senator Mazie Hirono, the first Asian American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. Mazie Keiko Hirono was born in November…
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May 01
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Ralph Henry Baer: Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month

By History, News
In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who've helped shape America's vibrant tapestry. Today, we highlight German American inventor and engineer, Ralph Henry Baer. Ralph Baer was born in March 1922 to a Jewish family in Germany. Due to anti-Jewish legislation, he was expelled…
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Apr 25
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IIB Welcomes 30 New Americans from 20 Countries!

By In the Community, News
We were honored to welcome 30 New Americans from 20 countries while they took their citizenship oaths at a special U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony at the Southtowns YMCA in West Seneca. Here are the countries from which these new American citizens traveled: Bangladesh, Brazil, Burma, Burundi, Canada, China, Cuba, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Libya, Mexico, Nigeria,…
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Apr 17
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In Case You Missed It! Rizzo-Choi Explains Federal Policy Impacts on WNY with BTPM NPR

By In the Community, Media Mentions, News
In case you missed it, Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi recently stopped by the Buffalo Toronto Public Media NPR to chat with "What's Next?" anchor Jay Moran on how recent federal policy, including the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), impacts Western New York and IIB operations. Rizzo-Choi also touched on the positive community response, broke down the differences…
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Apr 09
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IIB Welcomes 55 New Americans from 25 Countries

By In the Community, News
Jennifer Rizzo-Choi was invited to present while welcoming 55 New Americans from 25 countries as they took their citizenship oaths at a special U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony at Iroquois High School. These New Americans are from: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Burma, Canada, China, Congo, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Hungary, India, Italy, Jamaica, South Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Serbia,…
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Apr 02
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Farouk El-Baz: Arab American Heritage Month, Recognizing Immigrants and Refugees

By News
  In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who've helped shape America's vibrant tapestry. Today, we highlight Farouk El-Baz, an Egyptian American scientist whose work was instrumental in planning NASA's Apollo Program. He was part of the team responsible for selecting the lunar sites…
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