April 12, 2010 E-Newsletter
Executive Director’s Note:
Dear Friend of the Institute,
Spring always gives me more energy. It’s about beginnings and powerful forces and life. And how could it not also remind me of the powerful, amazing new starts that are made every day by the people we resettle to Buffalo?
One of the key ways we try to help resettled refugees is by helping them find employment. The federal government requires refugees to become self-sufficient as soon as possible, and the Institute assists by linking new arrivals with employers and working to facilitate success. We are always looking for new partners in this effort, and are grateful to the businesses we have worked with to date. I think our employment partners will tell you they are very happy with our clients’ performance in their companies, and I know our clients are happy in their work. Please read below for a note from Marilee Couldron, a Case Manager in our Refugee Resettlement Department, who writes about a recent employment success for one of her clients.
A new IIB employment initiative will begin in late April, thanks to the support of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo: a new staff member, Katie Kinder, will begin to develop English/training/employment pathways in key areas of workforce demand and community need. This will result in sustainable partnerships in areas where jobs are not now being filled and the community desperately needs the added workforce. I have seen how, in other cities, successful work in employment partnerships has benefited both the new arrivals and the existing community alike. I know that Buffalo can accomplish this too. More as it happens!
In the meantime we are always looking for opportunities to place our new arrivals in jobs. If you or someone you know is interested in employing a refugee, or you have an idea or a need, please contact Denise Beehag (dbeehag@iibuff.org) or Marilee Couldron (mcouldron@iibuff.org) in Refugee Services.
I wish you a beautiful spring day and am – as ever – grateful for your help in any way.
Eva (ehassett@iibuff.org)
Letter from Refugee Resettlement Case Manager
Marilee Couldron is a Case Manager in the Refugee Resettlement Department at the IIB. She joined our team in March 2009, and had the following to say about one of her clients who was recently hired at a local factory:
When Maung first arrived in Buffalo in June of 2009, it was obvious that he possessed motivation and a strong work ethic. This was shown during my first home visit; to ensure a smooth transition for refugees in their new home, a case manager always visits new arrivals within a 24 hour period. However, when I stopped by Maung’s home he did not answer the door. As I stood out in the heat, knocking hard, I became aware of an odd noise coming from the backyard. Walking around the house, I found Maung bare-chested in the blazing sun, using a kitchen knife to chop down the chest-high weeds that had taken over the entire backyard, which was at least the size of a large garage. He grinned at me as I laughed at such clear evidence of his industrious, go-getter attitude.
Maung’s enthusiasm for starting his new life in America permeates his every action. He is putting forth 100% effort into learning English; not only does Maung study ESL from 8:30 – 4:00 Monday through Thursday, but he is also a consistent student at the evening sessions twice a week. When a position became available working in a local leather factory, Maung stood out as the ideal candidate, as he asked about job opportunities every time I saw him. As expected, when I talked to him he excitedly agreed to start the next day.
At 6:45 am the next morning, as the street lights were just going off, I drove down Maung’s street in the West Side, peering through the darkness to determine house numbers. I saw a silent figure standing on the porch, and then he ran out to my car as I drove near. Maung got in, wide-eyed and smiling and slightly nervous, dressed in his finest outfit; he wore a nice sweater and dress shoes with his best pair of jeans. We drove over to the factory, and we were introduced to the manager on duty. This employer had hired refugees through the International Institute in the past, and Maung waved to one of the workers as we walked in. We took the grand tour, learning how to clock-in using the time-stamp machine, what safety tools to use, and the different stations Maung would be trained on. He was already familiar with many of these things, as he had been learned of them during his experience in Job Club at the Institute. The manager then explained that, although the position was temporary, it was full-time and with the possibility of becoming permanent. Here at the International Institute, we are exceedingly confident that with his powerful work ethic, and the positive feedback we have since heard from the employer, this job will be the first successful step for Maung’s experience in the world of work and his path to self-sufficiency.
Letter from Volunteer Coordinator Celebrating National Volunteer Week
What a pleasure it is to acknowledge the time and energy all of our weekly volunteers and interns who have devoted this spring semester to helping the International Institute of Buffalo.
They did direct and indirect service, working with newly arrived refugee clients, immigrants, international visitors and community members. Volunteers and interns helped with everything from assisting refugees and immigrants through official bureaucratic appointments, as well as aiding them in more basic, but equally crucial, cultural orientation to ease their adjustment to a new and sometimes confounding American urban existence. They excelled at providing indirect support, such as file maintenance, apartment preparation, and helped in the facilitation and expedited critical assistance for people of different international backgrounds.
By their generous commitment, they set a wonderful example and demonstrate the power of individuals to create remarkable change. With the help of concerned and committed community members and students such as them we are able to continue our mission of helping refugees and immigrants to adjust to their new lives in Buffalo, and to become contributing members of our community. Below is a list of our volunteers and interns by Department:
Refugee Resettlement
Andrea Dankert, Lisa DeBlasi, Mouminatou Diallo, Andrew Fanelli, Lyndsay Harris, Emilie Hinkle, Kumiko Ishiwatari, Mohamed Mahdi, Nancy Nathan, Loan Nguyen, Siri Paolino, Ashleigh Presto, Darwin Rosales, Roshini Sanghvi, Benjamin Larsen Smith, Coleman Spate Jr., Maria Tartaglia
Victim Services
Kelly Adams, Joanna Sjoblom, Stephanie Vroman
Immigration/Legal
Gevork Arutunian, Vera Cedano, Carrie Feigelson, Jennifer Hilburger, Margaret Phillips, Hannah Sandberg
Interpreting/Translating
Erika Agodelo, Marion Carvalho, Hiromi Iriyama, Devon Reynolds, Chanell White, Song Yin
International Exchanges & Education
Nozomi Nagaoka, Julian Radney, Grant Sanford, Christopher Spinks
Administration
Nicole Hackett, Heather Persons
English as a Second Language Classes
Gillian Cleveland, Janet Dombkowski, Melissa Duquette
The Institute cannot thank all of our volunteers and interns enough for their invaluable contribution. We are grateful for the energy and enthusiasm, and dedication they bring as members of our community.
Once again, we would like to thank them for helping to make our work possible and a success.
Sincerely,
Hannah Cox, Volunteer Coordinator (volunteers@iibuff.org)
2009 Annual Report Completed
The IIB’s 2009 Annual Report is now completed and can be downloaded from our website or by clicking here. In the report, readers will find photographs documenting the year, information on our Board of Directors, and letters from each of our Departmental Directors. Please take a moment to read through and learn about our challenges and successes for the year. Thanks to all of you who made 2009 an awesome year for the IIB’s staff and clients!
Great Decisions April 12: Panel Discussion on the Persian Gulf
Tonight is our last discussion of the 2010 Series! The Western New York Peace Center is partnering with us to hold a roundtable discussion on the Persian Gulf at Olmsted Center for Sight (1170 Main St) from 6:00 – 7:30p. Parking in rear of building can be accessed from Main Street or Linwood Avenue. To join us, visit www.iibuff.org/greatdecisions or download your registration form here. Student, Teacher, and Member rates available. For more information, contact Julienne Mascellino at (716) 883-1900 ext. 328 or jmascellino@iibuff.org.
India Night Successful!
Our last culture night of the 2009 – 2010 BABEL Series, produced in conjunction with Just Buffalo Literary Center, was a success. We were treated to dance and song from the local Indian community, and ate a delicious meal catered by Star of India (Delaware in Kenmore). This event was held in preparation for the April 16 visit of Salman Rushdie at Kleinhan’s. Pictures and video coming soon to our Facebook and YouTube channels!
IIB Presents at the 8th Annual Freedom Network Conference
IIB’s Amy Flesichauer and Michael Santomauro recently attended the 8th Annual Freedom Network Conference entitled: A Decade in Review, A Decade Before US: Celebrating Success and Developing New Strategies at the 10 Anniversary of TVPA. The conference, held in Washington D.C., included approximately 230 participants representing various social service providers, government officials, as well as federal, state & local law enforcement. Of those in attendance, representing the WNY Region, besides IIB, was Farmworkers Legal Services. Amy spoke at the conference in a panel titled: “Mental Health: Broadening the Discussion” and organized and facilitated a panel titled: “A Client-Centered Approach: Nuts and Bolts of Case Management. We congratulate them on a job well done.
Komen Grant Was Success in 2009
The IIB partnered again with Rosewell Park, UB, and Susan G. Komen of WNY in 2009 to increase breast health awareness in the refugee and immigrant populations in our region. In addition to education, the Refugee and Immigrant Health Project worked to increase access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services for these populations. As a result of these outreach sessions, 110 participants, from 21 countries, benefited, with a 119% increase in knowledge after pre-post tests. For more information, contact May Shogan at mshogan@iibuff.org or 883-1900 ext. 321.
Western New York Community Gets Involved With Kenya School
Crossroads Springs Institute is a school and “orphan care center,” founded in 2004 in Hamisi, Kenya. Orchard Park Friends Meeting in Orchard Park, NY is one of the agency’s US partners. Alison Hyde, from Orchard Park, writes below about her experience with the organization:
Crossroads Springs children sing “Education is our cry!” and they mean it! Dr. Meshack Isiaho, of Hamisi, Kenya founded Crossroads Springs School for orphans in 2004 with 40 children, now 320 pre-K through Grade 8. The motto “Serve the Child, Heal the Nation” summarizes the mission: provide care, education, and skills so orphans become self-supporting, contributing leaders. Education is key to changing the AIDS picture in Kenya and the world. Children at Crossroads Springs are among the million AIDS orphans in Kenya. With every higher level of education reached, the incidence of AIDS decreases!
Enthusiastic teachers, eager learners, school meals (unusual in Kenya), and responsible leadership lead to success. The current Grade 8 students scored in the top of 102 schools on mock exams. Scouting and sports build self-confidence. Groups and individuals in North America raise money for the program, toward completion of a much-needed classroom building, and scholarships. Due to extreme poverty, local contributions are gifts such as produce rather than money. A mini-grant funds sewing training for widows who then feed their families and make uniforms for the school children.
How does this build peace? Orphan children become productive, responsible citizens, rather than turning to negative means of survival. The rate of HIV/AIDS infection is lowered. Friendship grows between schools and communities here and in Kenya.
Think of what you or your group can do! See the website for more information, photos and newsletters. www.crossroadssprings.org
Links:
- MySwitzerland.Com: Win a Trip to Switzerland
- Holocaust Remembrance Week: US Holocaust Museum remembers victims & survivors from April 11 – April 18, 2010.
- Eastern Health: Cue Cards in Community Languages is a great resource for those working with English Language Learners.
- CNN: CNN Reports on Refugee Health
Further Reading:
- The Nation: Travelling Museum Sheds Light on Human Trafficking
- Buffalo for Africa: Buffalo for Africa member, Andrew Beiter, writes to the Buffalo News about Darfur.
New York News:
- New York Times: Stuyvesant High School organizes bilingual parent night.
- New York Times: NYT reported in March that Burma is experiencing infrastructure development.
Community Bulletin:
2010 Lilian Fairchild Travel Talks: Cycling for a Cause through Maine, 4/14/10
The Buffalo Science Museum will host the 2010 Lilian Fairchild Travel Talks Series in the museum auditorium. Talk begin at 2pm and are included in museum admission: $7 seniors, $8 adults, members free. The April 14th talk will be led by Shannon Gilmartin, The Dempsey Challenge: A Journey for Hope, on the topic of cycling for a cause through Maine.
UB’s Asia @ Noon: Discussion on US Base in Okinawa, 4/16/10
UB Asian Studies Department will host a session entitled, Beyond the Okinawa Initiative Debate: Cocco’s Musical Intervention into the US Base Problems, as part of their Asia @ Noon Series in 280 Park Hall on North Campus. The session, starting at 12:00p, is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.asianstudies.buffalo.edu.
2010 Lilian Fairchild Travel Talks: Italy, 4/28/10
The Buffalo Science Museum will host the 2010 Lilian Fairchild Travel Talks Series in the museum auditorium. Talk begin at 2pm and are included in museum admission: $7 seniors, $8 adults, members free. The April 28th talk will be led by Stacie Waddell, American Cancer Society, on the topic of Italy.
Irish Classical Theatre: Engaged, 4/23 – 5/23/10
Irish Classical Theatre will perform Engaged, a play by W.S. Gilbert that focuses on a young suitor in a Scotland. For tickets, visit their website.
2010 Lilian Fairchild Travel Talks: Malaysia, 5/5/10
The Buffalo Science Museum will host the 2010 Lilian Fairchild Travel Talks Series in the museum auditorium. Talk begin at 2pm and are included in museum admission: $7 seniors, $8 adults, members free. The May 5th talk will be led by Melanie Buhrmaster, UB, on the topic of Malaysia.
Buffalo Indie Market, Mother’s Day Celebration, 5/8/10
The Buffalo Indie Market will hold their May market at the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens from 10a – 3p. Includes free admission to the Gardens. Visit their website for more information.
2010 Lilian Fairchild Travel Talks: Shanghai, 5/12/10
The Buffalo Science Museum will host the 2010 Lilian Fairchild Travel Talks Series in the museum auditorium. Talk begin at 2pm and are included in museum admission: $7 seniors, $8 adults, members free. The May 12th talk will be led by Bob Chase, Gelia-Marketing Communications, on the topic of Shanghai.
2010 Lilian Fairchild Travel Talks: Mount Kilimanjaro, 5/19/10
The Buffalo Science Museum will host the 2010 Lilian Fairchild Travel Talks Series in the museum auditorium. Talk begin at 2pm and are included in museum admission: $7 seniors, $8 adults, members free. The May 19th talk will be led by Jo Ann Harig, American Cancer Society, on the topic of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Chinese Traditional Medicine Presentation at UB, 5/22/10
Jade Poetry Studio welcomes Dr. Zhipei Fu to UB’s North Campus to present on traditional Chinese medicine on May 22 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm. The event will take place in Park Hall, Room 440. More information can be found on their website.
Irish Classical Theatre: Lovers, 6/4 – 6/27/10
Irish Classical Theatre will perform Lovers, a play by Brian Friel that is done in two parts: Winners and Losers. For tickets, visit their website.
French Summer Camp: Club des Copains, July 2010
The French Alliance of Buffalo will hold a French language summer camp in July for children at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church in Cheektowaga. Cost is $35/day or $175/week. Registration forms can be found on their website.
3rd Annual Camp Peaceprints, July 12 – 23, 2010
The WNY Peace Center and Sister Karen Klimczak Center for Nonviolence are, again, teaming up to present an alternative summer camp for young people aged 8 – 13. Their promotional flier has additional information on camp topics and activities. Registration forms should be mailed to WNY Peace Center (elea@wnypeace.org) or the Sister Karen Center (vivian@sisterkarencenter.org). Camp Peaceprints is also in need of youth volunteers, aged 14 and up.
The mission of the International Institute of Buffalo is to assist immigrants, refugees, their families, and others who face linguistic and cultural barriers to become self-sufficient, productive members of our community, and to increase global understanding and international connections in Western New York.
For Membership or General Questions, email jmascellino@iibuff.org.
For Donation or Volunteering Questions, email volunteers@iibuff.org.
International Institute of Buffalo 