International Institute of Boston

CONTACT:

One Milk Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
617-695-9990
www.iiboston.org

Westy Egmont, President

DESCRIPTION:

Founded in 1998, IIB has a distinguished history of assisting immigrants in New England while honoring their cultural backgrounds. In 2004, the Institute's 86-member staff have helped over 10,000 people from 130 countries become hardworking, productive, and loyal, new citizens.

According to the 1990 Census, the Boston Metro area has the 12th-largest concentration of foreign-born residents in the United States -- 345,000 strong. IIB brings private philanthropy to bear on helping newcomers solve problems, and effectually saves taxpayers many more dollars in public assistance. It provides: resettlement services including an emergency food pantry, clothing and housing; ESL instruction; employment services; individualized citizenship and ESL tutoring; legal aid; crisis intervention, case management, and mental-health counseling; and economic development including microenterprise support and home-buying classes. Within an average of 6 months, this system enables newcomers to become active, contributing participants in their neighborhoods, with a restored sense of dignity and hope for the future.

IIB's Asylum Representation Project (ARP) provides quality legal representation to those who have fled their countries in fear for their lives. For over 20 years, the ARP has enabled men and women who are suffering from the effects of war, torture, or other violations of internationally recognized human rights to escape political violence and become active U.S. citizens.

The United States itself is, in John F. Kennedy's memorable phrase, "A Nation of Immigrants." Let us honor that heritage in philanthropy.

(1997: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)