Director’s Blog

Happy New Year to all! Wishing you and your family peace, hope and courage for 2019. Having spent the holiday in Belfast, Northern Ireland, birthplace of C.S. Lewis, I have been reflecting on his Narnia Series and a passage from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. At one stage in the story, young protagonist Lucy and her … Continued

A migrant family, part of a caravan of thousands traveling from Central America to the United States, run away from tear gas in front of the border wall. Kim Kyung Hoon—Reuters. Read more about the story here.    Earlier this week, we witnessed the horrific tear-gassing of women and children on the border: children wearing diapers and … Continued

This past week, we were delighted to hear that the Fish Family Foundation has awarded us a major grant to expand our Citizenship Engagement Program to assist new citizens as they become active members of their communities and build financially stable lives. I am very grateful to the Fish Family Foundation for their generosity, leadership … Continued

Another week, another Draconian, anti-immigrant policy proposed by our President and his Administration. The threat to end birthright citizenship via executive order is an irresponsible attempt to fuel hatred and pander to an anti-immigrant base. With the mid-terms approaching, it is clear that our nation needs healing, reconciliation and empathetic elected officials. At the IIIC, … Continued

Imagine living in a society where, instead of fostering fear and shutting our borders to families who are seeking asylum, refuge and safety, we could find a way to work together to make preparations for welcoming them and attending to their needs. Set to the side the philosophical and political debates on this issue, and … Continued

This past Wednesday was World Mental Health Day and we reflected on the wellness of the immigrant and refugee families we serve and also on our own self-care and wellness needs. I am very grateful to IIIC’s Wellness team, Rachel Reisman LICSW, Siobhan Kelly and Ann-Marie Byrne for all their caring and professional work with immigrant families … Continued

This week, we were delighted to welcome back Sister Lena Deevy LSA, who was formerly IIIC’s Executive Director, and her two friends from Ireland, Eileen Fleming and Frank Hall, who are volunteers on the Greek island of Chios. Lena, Eileen and Frank are part of a Shore Response Team (CESRT) who welcome refugees coming to … Continued

As we closely monitor Hurricane Florence, we hope all stay safe and out of harms way. Locally, we send our good wishes to our neighbors in Merrimack Valley who are displaced by last night’s multiple gas explosions. We need to lean on each other and help out as we can – especially in times of … Continued

Hoping you have a wonderful holiday, as summer slowly winds down and kids get ready to go back to school. Good wishes to all the students who are venturing back into class, to those who are heading into new challenges, and to the inspirational teachers and support staff who make it all possible. It has … Continued

Greetings, Today, I want to congratulate IIIC’s Education Services team for reaching their goal of assisting 125 immigrants to become citizens through a US government grant (USCIS). Our Director of Education Services, Bonnie Greenwood, instructors Marisa Bennett, Erin Chubb, and Maya Nunez, and their team of interns and volunteers helped students prepare for their citizenship … Continued