IRIS: Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services

🎉  Today is #WorldRefugeeDay, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of refugees around the world. At IRIS, we have witnessed firsthand the strength of those who build new lives in unfamiliar places. At just four years old, Reem and her family arrived in the U.S. as refugees from Iraq and Syria. With the support of IRIS, they began their new lives. Today, Reem is a high school graduate, an aspiring human rights advocate, and a beacon of hope for others. Today, we invite you to become one of our Sanctuary Sustainers by committing to a monthly donation to provide consistent, reliable support for refugees like Reem 🫶🏽 Make a donation: https://bit.ly/3XyLyDI

Today, we honor and celebrate Juneteenth. As part of Immigrant Heritage Month, IRIS teamed up with the African American Society for a community service day. Being a Black immigrant in America means acknowledging the painful history of racism. It means creating community and embracing the Black diaspora. We wish everyone a meaningful #Juneteenth!

🎉 Celebrate World Refugee Day with IRIS and friends! 🎉 Listen to moving stories from refugee speakers, including an open mic. This special event is a collaboration with organizations that uplift our migrant community: Elena's Light, Havenly, Refugee Congress, and New International Hope for Refugees & Immigrants. All are welcome to enjoy storytelling, refreshments, and a kid's activity corner. Register for free! https://bit.ly/4c60cXg #WorldRefugeeDay #newhaven #refugeeswelcome #ct

Rafiqullah and his family arrived to the U.S. in 2021, during the U.S. military's withdrawal from #Afghanistan. Amazingly, his son Hamza was born on the night of their arrival, at the Fort Bliss military base, where nearly 10,000 Afghan refugees were housed. But being born outside of a hospital meant that Hamza did not get his birth certificate until 2 years later, thanks to the advocacy of his parents, IRIS case managers, volunteers, and pro bono lawyers from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. We're wishing an extra special #FathersDay to Rafiqullah and all immigrant fathers who overcome unique challenges for their children. Thank you for your love and sacrifice.

🇺🇸 On this #FlagDay, we proudly wave flags from Guyana, India, Palestine, Scotland, Yugoslavia, and far beyond to symbolize our heritage and the beautiful diversity of our country. Happy Flag Day! 

Congrats to over 30 IRIS students who have graduated from the multilingual learners program! These hard-working kiddos have shown grade-level fluency in English speaking, reading and writing, such that they are on par with their US-born peers. We celebrated with their families at a special ceremony that honored all New Haven Public Schools multilingual learners. Multilingualism is an invaluable skill and we know our students are another step closer in achieving greatness! #nhps #english #graduation

Today, the Biden Administration moved to further restrict asylum. President Biden issued new executive actions that would limit the number of people able to exercise their legal right to seek safety at the southern border and weaken refugee protection standards in violation of U.S. law. But restricting asylum does not create safety or order at the border. Rather, it increases misinformation and pushes people seeking safety toward more dangerous routes, further jeopardizing their lives. There are humane, orderly solutions that can help asylum seekers receive the support they need while alleviating pressure at the border. Visit our website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/e2XAsRu4

"Being a part of IRIS as a volunteer has been a sacred opportunity and a great experience." —Betty, IRIS volunteer Meet Nina, Donna, Ashley, Betty & Hossna (pictured left to right). Donna & Betty are long-time IRIS volunteers, for over a decade! They've done it all, from stocking the food pantry, driving clients to appointments & mentoring refugee women. Most of all, they've been working with our Cultural Companion team pictured here, to pair everyday people with refugees to offer friendship & support for their resettlement journey. Thank you, Betty & Donna for your commitment to welcoming immigrants To volunteer at IRIS, check out: irisct.org/volunteer #volunteers #nonprofit #giveback

🚲 It's World Bike Day! Last week, students from IRIS' After School program were gifted with donated bikes, skateboards, and scooters, and could not have been happier. After a basic bike safety lesson, we rode around Edgewood Skatepark, teaching the kids how to use their new wheels. Thank you to our wonderful partners for bringing so much joy to refugee and immigrant youth: Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op, Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, Plush, Devils Gear Bike Shop, & New Haven Coalition for Bike Transportation. #bike #worldbikeday #refugee #skateboard

"The senseless violence tearing through our society is a wound that refuses to heal. Instead of nurturing unity, it has sown seeds of division, costing us the lives of our loved ones. Yet, in the depths of despair, there is a glimmer of hope—a hope for reconciliation, for unity, for a brighter tomorrow. Together, hand in hand, let us demand an end to this cycle of destruction. Let us honor the legacy of our foremothers, the Kandakas, by embodying their resilience and courage. And let us dare to envision a Sudan where peace reigns supreme, where children can grow without fear, and where the dreams of generations past are finally realized." —Nusaibah Shatta Nusaibah Shatta, originally from #Sudan, is the Fellowship Director at Havenly & has volunteered with IRIS since 2016 as an Arabic interpreter. In Sudan, she volunteered to help women in crisis alongside various nonprofit organizations. She originally shared her speech at Sudanese Women’s Resilience, an event to commemorate the one year anniversary of Sudan’s civil war. Read her full speech: https://lnkd.in/gZxvghuQ