Spotlight June 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.

South Buffalo Charter School

We appreciate the students at the South Buffalo Charter School Student I.D.E.A. Committee who held a fundraiser by selling carnations at the school awards ceremony and voted for IIB to be the recipient of the proceeds. We thank them for their generosity and their spirit of giving! 

Click here to learn more about how you or your organization can give back to the community.     

Lafayette International High School

Thanks to the students at Lafayette International High School for including Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi for in its Agents of Change Project. In this community-based research project, senior students honored individuals helping to make Buffalo a better place — especially through their support of newly resettled families.

This was a capstone experience for the graduating class. As part of this work, students interviewed and will honor community members during a culminating public event.

Click here if you want to intern with us!

Ahmed Elhuseiny Bedeir,
Arabic /Spanish Translator

As a native Egyptian, Arabic is Ahmed's first language. His English proficiency significantly developed during his undergraduate studies in the Department of English at Ain Shams University in Cairo. He also began learning Spanish there and later continued to hone his skills with additional classes in the USA.

He left Egypt for professional and academic development, coming to the USA in 2017 through the Fulbright FLTA (Foreign Language Teaching Assistant) program, where he taught Arabic. 

He was here for three years, teaching Arabic and taking classes at Williams College. He then pursued an MA in Translation at Kent State University and achieved certification as an English-Arabic translator by the American Translators Association (ATA).

He says he finds immense satisfaction in applying his linguistic skills to support newcomers, immigrants, and refugees in the USA and Canada. Helping them overcome language barriers to access vital information and integrate into their new communities is a deeply rewarding aspect of his work.

When not translating, he enjoys biking, spending time in nature, and playing racquetball.

Click here to learn more about our expert language services.

Mary
Employment Services Client

Our client Mary (from Sri Lanka) started working at Watson's in September 2024 and just got promoted. The famous Western New York confectioner said about her performance:

"From day one, Mary has been an exemplary employee at Watson's Chocolates! On time and smiling every day, Mary is consistent, punctual, and eager to learn. Identified as a rising star, Mary is now in Watson's Supervisor Training Program. She is helpful to others and has an ability to communicate well with team members 

and management. And best of all, she is kind and complimentary of others in the workplace. Watson's is grateful to the International Institute of Buffalo for the introduction to Mary. She is an amazing asset to not only our community, but to our workforce."

 Click here to learn more about how we can help augment your organization's workforce with highly motivated employees.     

Deleonisha Jones
IIB Receptionist

Deleonisha Jones (also known as Nisha) is the first impression of IIB and does a great job with our clients; she ensures they feel welcome. Nisha is more than just a friendly receptionist; she is also our security guard, notifying us of suspicious activity, and, equally important, she is our friend. Everyone knows the wonderful, happy, blessed, and genuinely kind type of person she is. We are incredibly fortunate to have her!

Click here to look for opportunities at IIB.    

Dr. Robert Schulman
 Volunteer

Bob has volunteered for years, spending hundreds of hours setting up apartments and sorting donations, always putting in extra care to ensure that the New Americans are welcome in their home.

He’s a retired pediatrician of 49 years. He and his wife found the opportunity to volunteer right around the time of the COVID pandemic and have not stopped. We thank him for all of his help and good humor! 

Click here to learn more about how you or your organization can volunteer and give back to the community.     

Follow Us on Bluesky!

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