Spotlight January 2025

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.

Thanks to All Who Helped with Home Setups and Donations! 

Our hearts are buoyed by all in the community who stepped up and helped us during the unprecedented surge of new refugee arrivals. Thanks to everyone, individuals and organizations alike, who donated time and treasure to support them!

For instance, the team from I Am Yoga in Williamsville (pictured above) sponsored a family of nine from Syria. Not only did they buy all of the household goods, but they also set up the refugee family’s living space.

Colvin Cleaners donated another 100 winters coats to protect our clients against the brutal winter weather. Other local businesses that helped include M&T Bank, Primary Care of Western New York, and West Herr. Maria Fernandez (pictured below left) from Good Neighbors Credit Union also coordinated a donation drive to benefit our clients at the credit union’s branches. 

Former IIB team member, Myah Meyerhoefer (pictured above right with New American Integration Director Denise Beehag), generously organized a donation drive from the UB’s Black Law Students Association.

These are just a few of the many who helped but know that we appreciate all the assistance from those who want to make Western New York a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees. 

Finally, congratulations to our New American Integration (NAI) team for a fantastic job handling all that is involved with welcoming our new neighbors. The next steps will include working with our clients to settle in and set their course for their American Dreams.

Click here to learn how we resettle refugees. 

Amudu Salongo, Kinyarwanda Interpreter

Kudos to one of our interpreters, Amudu Salongo, who recently achieved CoreCHI-P medical certification from CCHI in the language of Kinyarwanda. It is a Bantu language and the national language of Rwanda. The CoreCHI-Performance™ (CoreCHI-P™) certification is a national performance credential available to interpreters of all languages. This credential requires passing of two exams and he is the only Kinyarwanda interpreter in world who currently has this credential.

If you would like to be a translator or interpreter to help many of our many clients with language access, please click here.

ACME Screenprinting Valuing Hard Work

IIB client Pedro (pictured right in maroon) arrived from Venezuela in September and began working with ACME Screenprinting, a local T-shirt and logo printing company, in early November. This was ACME’s first time hiring a non-English speaker, but managers Joe and Mary made Pedro’s transition smooth. The collaboration is going so well that the ACME signed up for company Duolingo subscriptions to learn Spanish and communicate better with Pedro while he learns English on the job!

Click here on how we train motivated people and connect them with potential employers! 

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