Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants

CIRI's 2024 Gala is THIS Sunday! 🥂 Join us for an evening of handcrafted cocktails, delicious small plates, and a celebration of connection and inspiration at CIRI's Annual Gala! We'll be honoring Senator Richard Blumenthal with the Legacy Award for his dedication to refugees and immigrants, and hearing a special guest speech from Zakia Abbe, high school teacher and former CIRI client. Plus, we’ll be sharing an exciting announcement that marks a new chapter in CIRI’s work. Will we be seeing you there? 🌟

📢 THIS WEEK: Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 26th, to learn more about volunteering opportunities with CIRI! Your time, effort, and dedication as a volunteer will make a world of a difference in the lives of refugees, immigrants, and survivors in Connecticut! We hope to see you there!

September 17th is Citizenship Day! 🙌 At CIRI, we are proud to reflect on the impact citizenship has on individuals and families as they build secure and fulfilling lives in the United States. Each year, our Immigration Legal Services (ILS) program helps over 2,000 people navigate the path to legal residency and citizenship. Stories like Adelicio Santos’ remind us of the life-changing impact of this work. Adelicio came to CIRI in 2016 seeking help to obtain his green card. With the support and expertise of our dedicated ILS team, he successfully became a U.S. citizen on September 1, 2022, fulfilling his lifelong dream. Adelicio is not alone—his story is a powerful reminder of the perseverance and determination that so many of our clients embody. It’s moments like these that fuel our commitment to serving our community with compassion. As part of this year’s Citizenship Day celebrations, USCIS will host over 400 naturalization ceremonies across the country, welcoming more than 17,000 new citizens. This occasion highlights the strength of community and the shared values that unite us all through the journey to citizenship. Citizenship Day is a time to celebrate not only those who have achieved their dream of becoming American citizens, but also the values of unity, diversity, and inclusion that make our nation strong. We are honored to support our clients on their path to citizenship, standing by them every step of the way. ❤️

This week marked the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month! 🎉 As we honor Hispanic culture and its impact on our community, we are reminded of the unique perspective each person brings. As Antonio Tijerino, President & CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation said, "You are not lucky to be here. The world needs your perspective. They are lucky to have you." At CIRI, we are proud to celebrate the diverse cultures and meaningful contributions of our Hispanic clients and employees from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central & South America. Their resilience and spirit have greatly enriched our community. We are continuously inspired by their traditions, values, and the stories they share, which highlight the beauty of diversity and the strength found in unity.

In 2023, CIRI experienced profound growth, resilience, and renewal. We supported over 4,000 immigrants, refugees, and survivors of human trafficking, helping them rebuild their lives and strengthen our community. Our work wouldn’t have been possible without your support, and we are deeply grateful. We invite you to see how, together, we made a lasting impact last year. Click here to read our 2023 Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/g3MRcdsn Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.

📢 TOMORROW: Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 29th, to learn more about volunteering opportunities with CIRI! Your time, effort, and dedication as a volunteer will make a world of a difference in the lives of refugees, immigrants, and survivors in Connecticut! We hope to see you there!

CIRI’s 2024 Annual Gala Together We Thrive Black Rock Yacht Club Bridgeport, CT Sunday, October 6, 2024 5:00 pm - 8:30 p.m. You are invited to an elegant evening of handcrafted cocktails, delicious small plates, and a celebration filled with connection and inspiration. The evening will include the presentation of the Legacy Award to Senator Richard Blumenthal for his dedication to refugees and immigrants, along with a special guest speech by Zakia Abbe, High School Teacher and former CIRI client. We will also share a special announcement from CIRI, marking an exciting new chapter in our work. 🌸✨🎟️ We hope you can join us. To purchase tickets, click here: https://lnkd.in/ee4-J5_k

Alongside our graduates from New Haven, CIRI, in partnership with Great Oaks Charter School Bridgeport, also hosted a successful Summer Academy in Bridgeport. Running from July 8th to July 26th, this program supported newly relocated refugee students in improving their English skills while inspiring creativity, teamwork, and personal growth. A standout feature was Carly Pech’s Sustainability Project, where students transformed recyclable plastic bottles into planters for vegetables like peppers and rosemary. Carly’s commitment to sustainability and hands-on education left a lasting impact on the students. Another highlight was Infinity Music Therapy Services, which introduced students to the world of music through exploration and collaboration. Led by music therapist Elisa and supported by Dani Crowe, students discovered instruments, created music, and built confidence through this therapeutic experience. The academy also benefited from Lucas Ceballos-Cala, who generously provided guitar lessons. Lucas secured funding for new guitars, sharing his love of music with the students, and inspiring a newfound passion for many. We are incredibly proud of the progress and achievements of our students in Bridgeport. THANK YOU to all the volunteers, partners, and staff who made this program a success. We look forward to empowering our future leaders through education, creativity, and community support for years to come! 🌞🎓🎉

CIRI has been buzzing with excitement all summer long! Our Summer Academy for refugee children, led by our Youth Coordinators and Senior Program Manager, was a huge success. We welcomed students from Bridgeport, and for the first time this year, we celebrated the graduation of 26 Afghan youths, ages 5-13, from our newly opened office in New Haven! The primary goal was to boost students’ confidence in English before they return to school this fall, while also providing a range of fun and engaging summer activities. This year’s program included Afghan youths speaking a mix of Dari and Pashto, guided by six dedicated educators through a variety of educational and entertaining experiences. The kids enjoyed exciting field trips to the Connecticut Science Center, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, and Urban Air Adventure Parks. Beyond these excursions, the children engaged in various activities like the book mobile, kickball, field day, dodgeball, arts and crafts, science kits, and bridge building. These events offered a balanced mix of learning and fun, fostering new skills and friendships. Special thanks to our partners: Read to Grow for the Book Mobile, Science United Project / Blossom Hill Foundation for science kits, and Albertus Magnus College for classroom space, gym time, field time, and lunch space. This summer has been an incredible journey of learning, growth, and fun for our youth. We are immensely proud of each child’s progress and deeply grateful for the dedication of our staff and partners. Here’s to many more successful programs in the future! 🎓🎉

We are thrilled to announce that for the entire month of August, CIRI has been chosen by store leadership to benefit from Stop & Shop’s Community Bag Program. This initiative makes it easy for shoppers to contribute to their local community. Whenever a $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at the Stop & Shop located at 760 Villa Avenue, Fairfield CT in August, $1 will be donated to CIRI. This is a wonderful chance to raise awareness and support our cause. Help us make the most of this opportunity. Please feel free to spread the word to friends and family by sharing this news on social media. By purchasing a Community Bag, you are making a valuable contribution to our cause and supporting our mission. If you purchase a Community Bag, please tag CIRI – we would love to see your photos. Thank you for helping us make a difference. 🛍️🎉