News from the International Institute of New England (IINE)
Gift Cards for Perfect Attendance
As of this date, the International Institute of New England (IINE) has not had to lay off anyone in spite of the loss of all federal funding that supports refugee resettlement. The Institute has enough funds from private and state sources to continue their programming for now. They have many new immigrants who arrived before the January termination of all entrees and need the services necessary to transition to living in the U.S. IINE also manages a state funded shelter in Lowell and some employees have pivoted to provide additional services and support to those residents, including English classes, cultural orientation, employment, legal services and stable housing.
The staff at IINE is stressed and tired. Many of them are immigrants themselves and are juggling issues in their own extended families such as the pause in expected resettlement of family members and the loss of USAid programs in their home countries. They are also worried about their jobs.
The clients at IINE are amazingly resilient and show up for English classes ready to work hard, to help each other, and to talk and laugh together. One student who arrived in December from Afghanistan, is a father of seven children. He is here with his wife and six of his children, but there was a snag with the passport for his infant daughter, so she has been left behind to be cared for by grandparents. There is no way to know when they will be reunited. But he is grateful to be here and diligently engaged in learning English.
Last week four students in the Level 1 English class received Dunkin Donuts gift cards, donated by Good Shepherd, for perfect attendance at February classes. Remember those very cold mornings!! They showed up three mornings a week at 9:00! In the fall we provided 40 gift cards to DD and Market Basket that have been distributed to students in the in-person classes. We recently purchased 20 more. As you can see in this photo, they are proud to receive acknowledgment for their consistent attendance.
Concert and cookout fundraiser
on behalf of the Acton and Stow Area Interfaith Partnership to Support Afghan Refugees
on behalf of the Acton and Stow Area Interfaith Partnership to Support Afghan Refugees
When: Friday July 29, 2022
Where: St Matthews Church 435 Central Street Acton, MA
Cookout starts at 6 PM Concert is 6:30 – 8PM
Join us for a cookout and concert from the Summertime Jazz Band on a summer evening! Food available starting at 6PM and the concert will begin at 6:30. Enjoy your dinner while listening to jazz tunes. If the weather is nice, we will be on the front lawn. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on the lawn. If it is raining, we will be indoors.
All proceeds from the event will directly support a family of six who has recently moved to Lowell, Massachusetts from Afghanistan. This family is being supported by six local churches in Acton, Stow and Shirley, including Church of the Good Shepherd.
Please sign up for tickets with this link:
If you would prefer to make a donation, use this link to First Parish Church of Stow and Acton
http://fpc-stow-acton.org/donate
Select "Give to Restricted Gift" and include the comment: " Interfaith Afghan Families".
How can you help?
Donate Food or Time! There are lots of opportunities to provide food or volunteer on the day of the event. We are also looking for several more people to provide grills and grillers. Please sign up here.
Attend! Please invite your friends and neighbors to this special evening for a special cause!