Spotlight November 2024 

IIB would not be able to make WNY a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees were it not for our team, the community, and those we serve.

Kotelo Mpiana IIB Case Manager...and New Citizen!

Congratulations are in order for IIB Employment Case Manager Kotelo Mpiana, as she and her family became naturalized citizens during a recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Ceremony.

As an employment case manager, Kotelo plays an essential role in helping our New American clients succeed in the American workplace. 

“I wanted to work at IIB to work with people, give back, and guide their journey to self-sufficiency,” Mpiana says, though her positivity and hopefulness hide an arduous journey. In 2009, she and her family sought refuge in South Africa while fleeing the ongoing war in their native Democratic Republic of the Congo. A decade later, after facing discrimination and a lack of opportunity, Kotelo and her six siblings and parents came to the United States.

Kotelo’s vast experience and empathy drive her work as a Health and Wellness student at SUNY Buffalo State University. She also hopes to one day work with children and their mothers. 

Click here to learn all that is involved with welcoming New Americans. 

 Pastor Jeremiah Smith, Community Leader

IIB has worked with Parkside Lutheran Church in Buffalo for three years to provide our refugee clients with their first American Thanksgiving dinner. We appreciate Pastor Jeremiah's leadership and his congregation’s warm welcome. They truly understand what it means to be a good neighbor!

Learn more about that Thanksgiving meal by clicking here.

Jim Duffy, Volunteer

Kudos to Jim Duffy! This year, he helped us with 23 home setups, and he also sorted donations for us. In addition, Jim worked at all three of the Thanksgiving dinners mentioned above. His volunteering is a gift of time and hard work that we greatly appreciate. 

If you are interested, there are many volunteer opportunities at IIB. Take a look and see if there is anything that interests you.  

Sone Lin Htoo, Burmese Interpreter/Translator

IIB interpreters and translators do the vital work of bridging the language gap in our community. That is why we want to recognize the fine work of Sone Lin Htoo, a Burmese/English interpreter and translator. He was born in Myanmar (Burma) but left because of the political situation. He’s been in the United States for almost two years. He says he is motivated to help people    

overcome their language barriers and has years of experience doing this work. He enjoys taking photos and videos and listens to music as a hobby.  

Learn more about how our Interpreting & Translation Team serves the community.

Colvin Cleaners, Community Partner

Many thanks to Colvin Cleaners for their bulk donation of 160 adult coats, 60 coats for boys, and 60 more for girls. Thanks to their gift and the gifts of many others, our clients will be warmer this winter than they would have otherwise. If you have coat donations or other things to give, please let us know.

Jose Barrientos & Jose Sarduy

A special shout out to “the two Joses” who will be featured at our Refugees of Comedy event on Wednesday, November 20. Barrientos (on the left) was born in Mexico, and Sarduy (on the right) was born in Cuba. Both are hilarious comedians in their own right, but with Thom Tran, who we featured last month, they will set the stage for a night to remember!

Tickets are extremely limited, so if you are interested, take a look.

"The International Institute of Buffalo makes Western New York a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees."