International Institute of Buffalo
@iibuff.bsky.social
Making Western New York a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees.
Visit our website: iibuffalo.org
Visit our website: iibuffalo.org
Check out some sights and sounds from our Global Holiday Gift Market!
From our incredible vendors to all those who stopped by to shop – thanks to everyone who helped make it a resounding success. Stay tuned for our newest event announcements heading into 2026!
From our incredible vendors to all those who stopped by to shop – thanks to everyone who helped make it a resounding success. Stay tuned for our newest event announcements heading into 2026!
December 16, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Check out some sights and sounds from our Global Holiday Gift Market!
From our incredible vendors to all those who stopped by to shop – thanks to everyone who helped make it a resounding success. Stay tuned for our newest event announcements heading into 2026!
From our incredible vendors to all those who stopped by to shop – thanks to everyone who helped make it a resounding success. Stay tuned for our newest event announcements heading into 2026!
IIB would not be able to make WNY a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees, were it not for the great people on our team and in the community!
tinyurl.com/2x5tdvdb
tinyurl.com/2x5tdvdb
December 16, 2025 at 6:51 PM
IIB would not be able to make WNY a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees, were it not for the great people on our team and in the community!
tinyurl.com/2x5tdvdb
tinyurl.com/2x5tdvdb
Hanukkah begins tonight. Also known as the Festival of Light, this Jewish holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Celebrated for eight nights, it involves lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and enjoying traditional foods such as latkes.
December 14, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Hanukkah begins tonight. Also known as the Festival of Light, this Jewish holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Celebrated for eight nights, it involves lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and enjoying traditional foods such as latkes.
'Tis the season for our Global Holiday Gift Market, a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in holiday cheer while shopping for artisanal products with an international flair.
Entry includes international refreshments and crafts for kids!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
Entry includes international refreshments and crafts for kids!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
December 9, 2025 at 6:05 PM
'Tis the season for our Global Holiday Gift Market, a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in holiday cheer while shopping for artisanal products with an international flair.
Entry includes international refreshments and crafts for kids!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
Entry includes international refreshments and crafts for kids!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
Today is V.C. Bird Day in the archipelagic Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. The holiday commemorates the birthday of Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, who is considered the father of the nation. In 1994, Bird became the first recipient of the country’s Order of the National Hero.
December 9, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Today is V.C. Bird Day in the archipelagic Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. The holiday commemorates the birthday of Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, who is considered the father of the nation. In 1994, Bird became the first recipient of the country’s Order of the National Hero.
UB’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and UBMD Psychiatry recently honored our own May Shogan! May’s decades of community service in refugee health education and community public health awareness positively impact life in Western New York!
tinyurl.com/yc8n9tyv
tinyurl.com/yc8n9tyv
December 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
UB’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and UBMD Psychiatry recently honored our own May Shogan! May’s decades of community service in refugee health education and community public health awareness positively impact life in Western New York!
tinyurl.com/yc8n9tyv
tinyurl.com/yc8n9tyv
'Tis the season for our Global Holiday Gift Market, a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in holiday cheer while shopping for artisanal products with an international flair. This Thursday, December 11.
International refreshments and crafts for kids included.
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
International refreshments and crafts for kids included.
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
December 6, 2025 at 5:04 PM
'Tis the season for our Global Holiday Gift Market, a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in holiday cheer while shopping for artisanal products with an international flair. This Thursday, December 11.
International refreshments and crafts for kids included.
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
International refreshments and crafts for kids included.
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
Today, folks in Tonga celebrate Tupou I Day, honoring the country's first monarch. Tupou I unified Tonga, establishing the constitutional monarchy in 1875. The day is marked with ceremonies, cultural events, and reflections on the nation's history and leadership.
December 4, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Today, folks in Tonga celebrate Tupou I Day, honoring the country's first monarch. Tupou I unified Tonga, establishing the constitutional monarchy in 1875. The day is marked with ceremonies, cultural events, and reflections on the nation's history and leadership.
'Tis the season for our Global Holiday Gift Market, a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in holiday cheer while shopping for artisanal products with an international flair.
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
December 4, 2025 at 6:12 PM
'Tis the season for our Global Holiday Gift Market, a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in holiday cheer while shopping for artisanal products with an international flair.
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
With bitter cold temperatures and snow in the forecast through this weekend, don't forget to share our lifesaving winter weather preparedness info, available in 13 languages via the following link: bit.ly/3MfYtXw
December 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
With bitter cold temperatures and snow in the forecast through this weekend, don't forget to share our lifesaving winter weather preparedness info, available in 13 languages via the following link: bit.ly/3MfYtXw
Thanks to those who donated money to help immigrants and refugees in WNY! We appreciate your generosity at a time when others want to marginalize foreign-born people. If you missed your chance yesterday, it is never too late to make a difference!
tinyurl.com/6389fzbz
tinyurl.com/6389fzbz
December 3, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Thanks to those who donated money to help immigrants and refugees in WNY! We appreciate your generosity at a time when others want to marginalize foreign-born people. If you missed your chance yesterday, it is never too late to make a difference!
tinyurl.com/6389fzbz
tinyurl.com/6389fzbz
Lao National Day commemorates the country's independence from France in 1954. It's a day of national pride and celebration, marked by parades, fireworks, cultural performances, and traditional food and drink.
December 2, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Lao National Day commemorates the country's independence from France in 1954. It's a day of national pride and celebration, marked by parades, fireworks, cultural performances, and traditional food and drink.
Giving Tuesday is just two days away!
Every contribution – big or small – helps us continue the important work we do assisting our newest neighbors with integration and strengthening our communities. We can’t do it without you!
Pitch in through the link below:
bit.ly/4iq4iNY
Every contribution – big or small – helps us continue the important work we do assisting our newest neighbors with integration and strengthening our communities. We can’t do it without you!
Pitch in through the link below:
bit.ly/4iq4iNY
December 2, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Giving Tuesday is just two days away!
Every contribution – big or small – helps us continue the important work we do assisting our newest neighbors with integration and strengthening our communities. We can’t do it without you!
Pitch in through the link below:
bit.ly/4iq4iNY
Every contribution – big or small – helps us continue the important work we do assisting our newest neighbors with integration and strengthening our communities. We can’t do it without you!
Pitch in through the link below:
bit.ly/4iq4iNY
'Tis the season for our Global Holiday Gift Market, a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in holiday cheer while shopping for artisanal products with an international flair.
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
November 30, 2025 at 4:08 PM
'Tis the season for our Global Holiday Gift Market, a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in holiday cheer while shopping for artisanal products with an international flair.
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
Join us for our next training, Introduction to Court Interpreting on Saturday, December 6 from 9:00 a.m.--5:00 p.m.
This in-person workshop is designed to underscore the importance of professional conduct and to instill a comprehensive understanding of the United States legal system.
bit.ly/3VuH5zH
This in-person workshop is designed to underscore the importance of professional conduct and to instill a comprehensive understanding of the United States legal system.
bit.ly/3VuH5zH
November 29, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Join us for our next training, Introduction to Court Interpreting on Saturday, December 6 from 9:00 a.m.--5:00 p.m.
This in-person workshop is designed to underscore the importance of professional conduct and to instill a comprehensive understanding of the United States legal system.
bit.ly/3VuH5zH
This in-person workshop is designed to underscore the importance of professional conduct and to instill a comprehensive understanding of the United States legal system.
bit.ly/3VuH5zH
Please enjoy some sights and sounds from our fourth annual Refugee Thanksgiving Dinner with Parkside Lutheran Church.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
November 27, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Please enjoy some sights and sounds from our fourth annual Refugee Thanksgiving Dinner with Parkside Lutheran Church.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
In case you missed it, Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi responded to a leaked memo from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) calling for a review of all refugees who entered the U.S. under the Biden administration.
Watch both interviews through the link below:
bit.ly/4p5nfIp
Watch both interviews through the link below:
bit.ly/4p5nfIp
November 26, 2025 at 8:46 PM
In case you missed it, Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi responded to a leaked memo from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) calling for a review of all refugees who entered the U.S. under the Biden administration.
Watch both interviews through the link below:
bit.ly/4p5nfIp
Watch both interviews through the link below:
bit.ly/4p5nfIp
Here is the latest information from the International Institute of Buffalo in the form of your November 2025 newsletter!
tinyurl.com/262xnfvx
tinyurl.com/262xnfvx
November 26, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Here is the latest information from the International Institute of Buffalo in the form of your November 2025 newsletter!
tinyurl.com/262xnfvx
tinyurl.com/262xnfvx
Ryan speaks English, Russian, Spanish, and Polish.
He studied German and Spanish in high school and later Russian language and literature at Kent State University. He's also spent a summer studying intensive Polish at the Jagiellonian University.
bit.ly/48gdPCt
He studied German and Spanish in high school and later Russian language and literature at Kent State University. He's also spent a summer studying intensive Polish at the Jagiellonian University.
bit.ly/48gdPCt
November 25, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Ryan speaks English, Russian, Spanish, and Polish.
He studied German and Spanish in high school and later Russian language and literature at Kent State University. He's also spent a summer studying intensive Polish at the Jagiellonian University.
bit.ly/48gdPCt
He studied German and Spanish in high school and later Russian language and literature at Kent State University. He's also spent a summer studying intensive Polish at the Jagiellonian University.
bit.ly/48gdPCt
On November 25, Suriname celebrates its Independence Day. This day marks the nation's freedom from Dutch colonial rule in 1975. It's a day of national pride, cultural festivities, and reflection on Suriname's journey to sovereignty and self-determination.
November 25, 2025 at 2:21 PM
On November 25, Suriname celebrates its Independence Day. This day marks the nation's freedom from Dutch colonial rule in 1975. It's a day of national pride, cultural festivities, and reflection on Suriname's journey to sovereignty and self-determination.
'Tis the season for our Global Holiday Gift Market, a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in holiday cheer while shopping for artisanal products with an international flair.
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
'Tis the season for our Global Holiday Gift Market, a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in holiday cheer while shopping for artisanal products with an international flair.
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
Tickets include international refreshments, crafts for kids, and live music!
Click for details: bit.ly/4o8VTQt
A winter weather watch has been issued for this Wednesday through Thursday evenings in parts of #WNY
With colder temperatures on the way, don’t forget to share our lifesaving winter weather preparedness info, available in 13 of the most used languages in the region: tinyurl.com/yvuznzj8
With colder temperatures on the way, don’t forget to share our lifesaving winter weather preparedness info, available in 13 of the most used languages in the region: tinyurl.com/yvuznzj8
November 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM
A winter weather watch has been issued for this Wednesday through Thursday evenings in parts of #WNY
With colder temperatures on the way, don’t forget to share our lifesaving winter weather preparedness info, available in 13 of the most used languages in the region: tinyurl.com/yvuznzj8
With colder temperatures on the way, don’t forget to share our lifesaving winter weather preparedness info, available in 13 of the most used languages in the region: tinyurl.com/yvuznzj8
Join us for our next training, Introduction to Court Interpreting on Saturday, December 6 from 9:00 a.m.--5:00 p.m.
This in-person workshop is designed to underscore the importance of professional conduct and to instill a comprehensive understanding of the United States legal system.
bit.ly/3VuH5zH
This in-person workshop is designed to underscore the importance of professional conduct and to instill a comprehensive understanding of the United States legal system.
bit.ly/3VuH5zH
November 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Join us for our next training, Introduction to Court Interpreting on Saturday, December 6 from 9:00 a.m.--5:00 p.m.
This in-person workshop is designed to underscore the importance of professional conduct and to instill a comprehensive understanding of the United States legal system.
bit.ly/3VuH5zH
This in-person workshop is designed to underscore the importance of professional conduct and to instill a comprehensive understanding of the United States legal system.
bit.ly/3VuH5zH
This week, IIB’s Education Department presented a healthcare workshop focused on dental care at the Adult Learning Center in downtown Buffalo
.
Sponsored by the Ellis Foundation, the class was attended by 80 refugees who spoke six different languages.
.
Sponsored by the Ellis Foundation, the class was attended by 80 refugees who spoke six different languages.
November 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
This week, IIB’s Education Department presented a healthcare workshop focused on dental care at the Adult Learning Center in downtown Buffalo
.
Sponsored by the Ellis Foundation, the class was attended by 80 refugees who spoke six different languages.
.
Sponsored by the Ellis Foundation, the class was attended by 80 refugees who spoke six different languages.
Today marks Dignity and Freedom Day in Ukraine. This national holiday commemorates two key events in recent Ukrainian history: the 2004 Orange Revolution and the 2013 Revolution of Dignity.
November 21, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Today marks Dignity and Freedom Day in Ukraine. This national holiday commemorates two key events in recent Ukrainian history: the 2004 Orange Revolution and the 2013 Revolution of Dignity.