September at the International Institute of Akron – Important Update!!

September has come and gone in a flash, and we are ready for what’s to come in October! First, we’d like to share some important IIA updates and happenings from the past four weeks.

Big News: IIA Office Move! 

IIA has been a North Hill institution for decades—first at our office on East Tallmadge Avenue and then at the St. Thomas Campus of Summa Health. We have loved serving clients just a walk, bus, or bike ride away and taking part in this neighborhood’s renewal. 

But with support for IIA’s mission and work growing—both within the federal government and in the greater Akron community—we have no choice but to expand our physical space. At the end of 2022, IIA will be moving to Canal Place in downtown Akron. 

Mark your calendars and update your address books. As of January 2023, you can find us at 530 S. Main St., Ste. 1762, Akron, OH 44311.

Madha Sharma, IIA’s Executive Director, said: “Akron is a great place to live, work, and raise a family, and Canal Place has become its hub. Our new office is right on public transit lines and centrally located, as our clients now live in every Akron neighborhood and suburb.”  

Added Sharma: “Since I started at IIA we have been a proud North Hill neighbor, and we love the community. While we are moving downtown, we will continue to have a presence in North Hill. IIA has two classroom in the International House of San Tomasso and will continue our English classes and other programming there. With this move, we are intentionally creating a space that encourages personal connection and where we can host more community functions. We can keep growing our staff, volunteer, and client base and expanding our impact.”

Welcoming Week 2022 

Between September 9 and September 18, organizations and communities across the country came together to celebrate refugees and immigrants and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusivity to achieve collective prosperity.

For each day of Welcoming Week, IIA celebrated by sharing a message of welcoming from staff, and spotlighting an immigrant-owned business to support in Akron!

One of our messages of welcome came from IIA Receptionist Samsor Ziar, who welcomes refugees and immigrants to Akron "because of the environment and the great people that this city has. If a refugee comes to Akron, they will never feel that they are alone or helpless because Akron residents are so helpful and friendly. They welcomed me, in the same way I will welcome other refugees that come to Akron."

If you’re interested in supporting refugees and immigrants in Akron, we recommend checking out one of the amazing businesses we highlight on social media, including:

-        Lyeh Thai Restaurant

-        Saffron Patch in the Valley

-        Bista Brothers Asian Grocery

-        Morris’s International Market

-        El Bodegon Supermarket

-        Nepali Kitchen

-        DeViti’s Italian Market

Hispanic Heritage Month 

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

This year, we are pleased to share a few resources, including books, movies, and podcasts, to help you get started in your Hispanic Heritage Month celebration!

Check out these resources on our latest blog at: Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Get involved at IIA!

Looking for ways to get involved with IIA or the refugee and immigrant community? Check out a few suggestions below!

Donate! Stay up-to-date on IIA donation needs on our website at www.iiakron.org/donation-room. We also post updates on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Volunteer! Since IIA is a small non-profit, we often get more interest in volunteering than we have opportunities for. However, if you choose to apply online, we will keep your application and let you know if a future opportunity arises! Send in your application at www.iiakron.org/volunteer.  

Keep Learning! Learning about refugees and their experiences is a great way to stay involved. You can read a new book, watch a documentary, or follow IIA on social media for more suggestions on educational materials!

·      Facebook – @InternationalInstituteofAkron

·      Twitter – @iiakron

·      Instagram - @ii_akron 

Thanks for staying up to date on everything IIA, and we look forward to sharing more information soon!

Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

We are pleased to share a few resources, including books, movies, and podcasts, to help you get started in your Hispanic Heritage Month celebration!

Books

1)    The Undocumented Americans by Kayla Cornejo Villaviencio (2020)

One of the first undocumented immigrants to graduate from Harvard reveals the hidden lives of her fellow undocumented Americans in this deeply personal and groundbreaking portrait of a nation.

2)    The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (2018)

Elizabeth Acevedo writes of an Afro-Latina heroine who tells her story with blazing words and powerful truth.

3)    Unforgetting: A Memoir of Family, Migration, Gangs, and Revolution in the Americas by Roberto Lovato (2020)

A timely and no-holds-barred tale of gang life, guerilla warfare, immigration, and intergenerational trauma, Robert Lovato’s memoir reflects on his life and examines many of the self-serving myths underlying modern American culture.

4)    Las Biuty Queens by Ivan Monalisa Ojeda, translated by Hannah Kauders (2021)

Drawing from his/her own experience as a trans performer, sex worker, and undocumented immigrant, Iván Monalisa Ojeda chronicles the lives of Latinx queer and trans immigrants in New York City. 

5)    Gordo by Jamie Cortez (2021)

The first ever collection of short stories by Jaime Cortez, Gordo is set in a migrant workers camp near Watsonville, California in the 1970s. 

Movies

1)    Roma directed by Alfonso Cuaron (2018)

A year in the life of a middle-class family’s maid in Mexico City in the early 1970’s.

2)    Coco directed by Adrian Molina and Lee Unkrich (2017)

Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family’s ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer.

3)    I’m No Longer Here directed by Fernando Frias (2020)

In Monterrey, Mexico, a young street gang spends their days dancing to slowed-down cumbia and attending parties. After a mix-up with a local cartel, their leader is forced to migrate to the U.S. but quickly longs to return home.

4)    Bad Hair directed by Mariana Rondon (2014)

A nine-year-old boy’s preening obsession with straightening his hair elicits a tidal wave of homophobic panic in his hard-working mother.

5)    Y Tu Mamá También directed by Alfonso Cuaron (2002)

In Mexico, two teenage boys and an older women embark on a road trip and learn a thing or two about life, friendship, sex, and each other.

Podcasts

1)    Latina to Latina

In this interview series, host Alicia Menendez talks to remarkable Latinas about making it, faking it, and everything in between.

2)    Latinx On The Rise

Latinx On The Rise focuses on conversations with high-achieving Latinx movers and shakers.

3)    La Brega

A seven-part podcast series that uses narrative storytelling and investigative journalism to reflect and reveal how la brega has defined so many aspects of life in Puerto Rico. Available in English and Spanish. 

4)    Barrio Chef

Mike Gonzalez explores Hispanic food, culture, history, recipes and everything that makes this food so special

5)    Tamarindo Podcast

Hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Ana Sheila Victorino discuss Latinx politics, culture, and how to keep your calm with well-being practices and self-love.

August at the International Institute of Akron!

We can’t believe it’s already September! What an amazing and busy August it has been at IIA. We’re excited to share everything we’ve been up to this past month below!

On August 22nd, IIA honored International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion.

On this designated day and every day, we support victims of faith-based acts of violence and terrorism. We also envision a world where “intolerance” is a word of the past. To make this vision a reality, we shared five habits we can all practice to be more tolerant of people whose beliefs differ from ours.

Check out these five practices on our blog: International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion: creating more tolerant communities.

Staff Spotlight!

This month, we wanted to give the spotlight to a stellar IIA team member, Tamana Ziar! Communications intern, Jamie Brian, sat down with Tamana to learn more about her experience and work at IIA.

After six years of waiting, Tamana and her family emigrated from Afghanistan to the United States under a Special Immigration Visa in July 2021. In Afghanistan, Tamana was Vice President of programs for Kabul University’s student union, where she represented 23,000 students.

Noticing her vast experience, Tamana’s IIA case manager, upon arrival, encouraged her to apply for a case manager position at the Institute. In this role, she supports refugees by finding housing, arranging health screenings, and applying for social security cards and government identification. Her main goal is to help newly arrived refugees navigate their communities.

Read more about Tamana, her journey, and her work at IIA on our blog, Staff Spotlight: Tamana Ziar.

Welcome to the Team, Mojtaba!

We are incredibly excited to welcome the newest addition to the IIA family, Mojtaba Mohammadi!


Mojtaba, his three young children, and his wife came to the United States last August as a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) case since Mojtaba had spent four years working for the U.S. forces as an interpreter. He wanted to come to the U.S. for his family; so that his children could receive an education and live somewhere they’d be safe.

After being resettled by IIA, Mojtaba got a job working for Amazon but quickly realized he wanted to work in the community and help refugees and immigrants like himself overcome culture shock and the language barrier.

Four months ago, Mojtaba was hired as a contracted interpreter for IIA’s Education Department. His work included interpreting during English classes for Afghan clients and going to newly arrived Afghan refugee homes with the education team to explain what life is like in the United States.

The education team noticed how well Mojtaba was doing as a part-time interpreter and encouraged him to apply for a full-time position as a driver and interpreter.

Mojtaba enjoys working with refugees and immigrants in the community and helping them overcome culture shock when they first arrive. Hence, he was thrilled to begin working full-time at IIA on August 15th!

We are so excited to have another fantastic person join our team and to see the IIA family grow!

Staff Appreciation Event

On August 17th, we closed our office for the afternoon to show IIA staff, interns, and volunteers how much we appreciate them!

We enjoyed homemade Lasagna from DeViti’s, the beautiful weather with a walk in the Summit Metroparks, and each other’s company over a few board games!

The work IIA does in our community would not be possible without the outstanding support we receive from our staff, interns, and volunteers. We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone on the IIA team for their continued hard work!

This month, we were thrilled to host Global Ties Akron and a group of delegates from Moldova for a discussion on the topic of education and integrating refugees and displaced persons.

As a result of the Russo-Ukrainian War, many women and children were forced to flee Ukraine to seek refuge in neighboring countries. The Moldovan government and municipalities began working to integrate Ukrainian students into Moldovan schools before the Fall school year began.

Since Moldova doesn't have much experience integrating many refugees/displaced persons into its education system, Global Ties and a group of Moldovan delegates visited Akron and Northeast Ohio to discuss with community partners how to integrate Ukrainian students into the school system.

IIA case manager and former refugee Eka Anthony presented to the Moldovan delegates his experience enrolling refugee children into the public school system and how to help them best integrate.

We were honored to participate in this discussion and to help refugees and immigrants abroad!

Akron Pride Festival!

On August 27th, IIA staff participated in the Akron Pride March to show our support for the LGBTQIA+ community! It was wonderful to stand with our community and show our pride.

Now and forever, IIA will be there for the LGBTQIA+ refugee and immigrant community. Our doors are always open.

Preparing for Welcoming Week

Summit County will be celebrating Welcoming Week from September 9-18 to welcome refugees, immigrants, and new citizens to our community.

IIA Communications and Development Specialist, Liv Randall, spoke to Summit County Council on why it’s so important to welcome and celebrate our refugee and immigrant community, stating, “I believe Summit County would be a completely different community If we didn't begin welcoming refugees and immigrants here over 100 years ago.”

Read more about Welcoming Week and Liv’s discussion at the Akron Beacon Journal: Summit County celebrating Welcoming Week for immigrants, refugees in Septemeber.

Support IIA Through the Akron Marathon!

Presper Financial Architects are raising money for the 2022 FirstEnergy Akron Marathon! PFA will donate all funds raised to IIA to support our work in the refugee and immigrant communities.

Their goal is to raise $9,000 for IIA, and they are already 30% of the way there! Help PFA reach their goal before the marathon on September 24th.

If you’d like to donate, you can do so at: https://raceroster.com/events/2022/55928/2022-firstenergy-akron-marathon-half-marathon-and-team-relay/pledge/participant/13769683.

Thank you for taking the time to catch up with IIA, and stay tuned for a big announcement we will make in our next monthly newsletter!