“We Became Like Family” - IIA Prepares to Welcome More Akronites From the Congo

We continue our celebration of “Welcoming Week,” a nationwide effort to build connections between neighbors of all backgrounds, with a spotlight on our new Akron neighbors from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

People in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been dealing with one of the longest, most complex humanitarian crises in the world. The most recent crisis was sparked by escalated conflict in 1994; since then, millions have been forced from their homes. 

As a nation rich in natural resources, the Congo has been exploited for centuries. Rebel groups fill the power vacuum left by poor governance and rampant corruption. National armies seek control of the country’s abundant mineral wealth, sparking constant violence impacting families and entire communities. 

Not only have Congolese people endured years of armed conflicts and forced displacement, but food insecurity and multiple recurring epidemics have taken a heavy toll. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the situation, causing another major blow to the country’s economy and increasing hunger and poverty even more.

For these reasons and more, the International Institute of Akron continues to welcome Congolese people to Ohio and help them resettle in their new homes, with vital help from our partners, neighbors, and volunteers.

Eka Anthony, an IIA Refugee Resettlement Support Specialist, fled the Congo in 2007 and finally came “home” to Akron in 2015, helped by World Relief, a former resettlement agency in Akron that had to close due to the lack of federal support for refugees under the Trump administration. 

Anthony said, “[they] welcomed me and picked me up from the airport, took me to a house… They gave us clothing, furniture, kitchen supplies... I had people [volunteers] show me around, how to navigate the community. We became like family.”

After settling in, new Ohioans from the Congo like Eka and others have gotten involved in their communities. Elijah Kidjana of Cleveland was instrumental in forming the Congolese Community of Greater Cleveland (CCGC) to help newcomers adapt to life in their new city. He said, “The goal of the CCGC is to share ideas together about what we [as Congolese refugees] can do to succeed in Cleveland… We know if we work together as a group, we can go farther than as individuals.”

The International Institute of Akron agrees with Kidjana: we can move forward, together. We need your help assisting Congolese families and individuals as they relocate to the Akron area in the coming year. 

Donations of time, goods, money, and services are always welcomed. Needs include furniture, clothes, school supplies, housing, money, and assistance with English-language instruction and administrative tasks. Sign up to volunteer at this link: https://bit.ly/VolunteerIIA; donate to fund our life-saving work at https://bit.ly/DonateIIA. 

In the spirit of Welcoming Week, join us in being a part of the community that gives a warm welcome to New Akronites from the Congo.

It’s National “Welcoming Week,” and IIA is Welcoming New Akronites From Afghanistan and Beyond

September 10-19 is “Welcoming Week,” and the International Institute of Akron (IIA) is already welcoming new residents from Afghanistan and other nations. Now, you can join in!

Welcoming Week is a nationwide celebration that builds understanding and connections between neighbors with immigrant backgrounds and those whose families have been here for generations. As a “Welcoming City,” Akron has long been committed to building a culture and policy environment that enables new Akronites to feel valued, supported, and fully part of our city, both socially and economically.

Welcoming Week arrives at a particularly urgent time for the people of Afghanistan, and IIA has already been helping people fleeing danger there. As our Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator Kevin Walter said, “It’s a very urgent situation. We have resettled over 200 individuals from Afghanistan over the last eight to 10 years… It’s a quick exit situation where it’s take what you can because now is your time to go.”

So many Akron residents have reached out to IIA out of concern for the people of Afghanistan. Madhu Sharma, our Executive Director, said, “Most people are deeply concerned about their family… Many are getting deeply upsetting phone calls from family members in Afghanistan, and they don’t know what to say or what to do or what resources they should access.” Even people with no connection to Afghanistan at all are standing up and saying that they want to help people build new lives, which is what we do at IIA every day.

As Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said, “For generations, immigrants and refugees from across the globe have come to Akron in hopes of a better life and a brighter future... The life of a New American can be challenging, but America is the land of opportunity and Akron has long been a city of innovation and industry, where creative and hardworking men and women could learn, work, and raise a family.”

The International Institute of Akron needs your help assisting Afghan families and individuals as they relocate to the Akron area. Donating your time and/or goods, money, and services are always welcomed. We know from experience that the time you spend helping people who came to the U.S. as refugees will be some of your most treasured experiences. Needs include furniture, clothes, school supplies, housing, money, and assistance with English-language instruction and administrative tasks. Sign up to volunteer at this link: https://bit.ly/VolunteerIIA; donate to fund our life-saving work at https://bit.ly/DonateIIA.

“I know how it feels to leave your home behind,” wrote Shams Mustafa of Orrville, a journalist and immigrant from Egypt. “Ohio is one of the states welcoming refugees… There are different ways that you can help. You can always start by meeting them. Refugees will love to see a comforting face at the airport or someone who can help them with their new house… America has opened its arms widely for refugees from Mexico, Somalia, Iraq, and Syria… Let's not fail the Afghan people.”

Welcoming Plan

CITY OF AKRON AND COUNTY OF SUMMIT RELEASE STRATEGIC MARKETING PLAN TO INTEGRATE NEW AMERICANS

Akron, Ohio, October, 12, 2017—Today, the City of Akron and the County of Summit released Phase I of their Strategic Welcome Plan. This document is the culmination of sixteen months of work by the City of Akron, the County of Summit, Asian Services in Action (ASIA Inc.), Global Ties Akron and the International Institute of Akron (IIA). The Strategic Welcome Plan outlines the vision, goals and strategies to move the city and county in a direction that maximizes the opportunity to grow in population, diversity, and opportunity, and be a welcoming community for all.

Communities across the country are constantly competing to attract the residents and workers that will allow them to thrive in a global economy.  Newcomers play an important role in growing our population, supporting our workforce, diversifying the academic environment at our local universities, and starting small businesses that create jobs – all drivers of economic prosperity.

“Welcoming” aims to develop a true respect and appreciation for our neighbors, creating policies and programs that support inclusion, and making sure that everyone – newcomers and longtime residents alike – feel they belong and have the tools they need to succeed.

The Welcoming effort began in 2015 when Akron City Council and Summit County Council passed resolutions proclaiming this to be a welcoming community.  Shortly after, IIA applied for a competitive award to support the development of a welcoming plan through Welcoming America and New American Economy’s Gateways for Growth Challenge.  Mayor Horrigan and the late County Executive Russ Pry agreed to co-chair the Welcoming effort.  In March of 2016, Akron/Summit County was chosen as one of 20 communities to receive the Gateways for Growth award and one of only five communities across the United States to receive a $12,500 matching grant.  The City of Akron, County of Summit, Akron Community Foundation and Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation all came together to contribute the required $12,500 matching funds.

Receiving the Gateways for Growth Challenge award – including tailored research on the economic contributions of New Americans in Akron and Summit County, technical assistance from Welcoming America and New American Economy, and a matching grant – enabled our city and county to create this first ever community Strategic Welcome Plan.

“Our foreign born population has proven to be an economic driver for our region,” said Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro. “Whether it is through in increase in small business ownership, adding to the workforce, or increasing homeownership rates, Summit County has seen the benefits of being a Welcoming community.”

The four goals outlined in the Strategic Welcoming Plan include:

1. Enhance the network of public and private partners that serve and empower New Americans to facilitate their integration into the Akron community.
2. Adopt initiatives and policies in public and private institutions that are delivered in a way that allows for equitable participation and in a way that is respectful of the religion, culture, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, age and sexual orientation of members of both immigrant and receiving communities.
3. Empower and guide new Americans through identified ethnic community leaders, to understand and navigate public and private service systems.
4. Increase cultural and linguistic accessibility to all community and government services.

A proud partner in this effort, Mayor Horrigan added, “This strategic plan is important work in truly promoting our community as welcoming. Being welcoming goes beyond a simple willingness to do so—it takes a concentrated and coordinated effort to advance community communication, education and access to services for both new and longtime Americans. This plan is the first step in organizing partners and government agencies to factor inclusion and welcoming into their daily work.”

“We are a small, big town where entire families can thrive socially and economically in a neighborly environment,” Elaine Woloshyn, executive director of the International Institute of Akron said of why immigrants and refugees are choosing to settle in Akron and Summit County.

Phase II, as described in this initial plan, will quickly move forward in November 2017.  This next phase will replicate the existing Refugee Health Task Force hosted by the Summit County Department of Public Health across five other sectors.  Over the course of the next year, each sector will create a list of objectives and tasks and a work plan to implement moving forward as it relates to the vision, goals and strategies outlined in the written Akron/Summit County Strategic Welcome plan, available here.