International Institute of Buffalo

10/22/2020

Bringing back our world trivia to help everyone prepare for our virtual Community World Trivia Night happening October 29th!

Comment your best guess below and join us for our virtual Community World Trivia Event!

This event will be held over Zoom, with participants logging in to a separate platform on their phones to answer the questions. Help support our International Exchanges and Education Department by participating in what will surely be a fun and educational evening! Register in bio!

10/22/2020

The Institute is happy to be partnering with Jericho Road Community Health Center and the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) for this very important RAPID COVID testing happening THIS SATURDAY. Testing is open to all. Please pass on the attached flyers to your colleagues, family, and friends and help get people tested and stop the spread!

10/22/2020

Bringing back our world trivia to help everyone prepare for our virtual Community World Trivia Night happening October 29th!

Comment your best guess below and join us for our virtual Community World Trivia Event!

This event will be held over Zoom, with participants logging in to a separate platform on their phones to answer the questions. Help support our International Exchanges and Education Department by participating in what will surely be a fun and educational evening! Register here: https://buff.ly/30mDqHW

10/21/2020

Bringing back our world trivia to help everyone prepare for our virtual Community World Trivia Night happening October 29th!

Comment your best guess below and join us for our virtual Community World Trivia Event!

This event will be held over Zoom, with participants logging in to a separate platform on their phones to answer the questions. Help support our International Exchanges and Education Department by participating in what will surely be a fun and educational evening! Register here: https://buff.ly/30mDqHW

10/21/2020

Anti-human trafficking groups push politicians, media companies to fight QAnon conspiracy theories

IIB is proud to join anti-trafficking agencies across the country to press politicians, government officials and media organizations to combat conspiracy theories about trafficking.

We are currently working with over 300 survivors of human trafficking - men, women and youth - who are hurt by these false narratives. Our focus must be on the actual exploitation and on survivors.

“Anybody—political committee, candidate, or media outlet—who lends any credibility to QAnon conspiracies related to human trafficking actively harms the fight against human trafficking.”

@freedom_needs and #freedomneedstruth

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/anti-human-trafficking-groups-qanon-conspiracy-theory-letter

More than 80 anti-human-trafficking and victims’ services groups are pressing politicians, government officials and media organizations to combat conspiracy theories about trafficking designed to influence the upcoming election, according to a letter obtained by Fox News.

10/21/2020

A Path To Higher Education And Employment For Refugees

“There are at least 70 million displaced people worldwide. Almost half are young people—and few of them have any chance of going to college and gaining innovation economy employment.”

Southern New Hampshire (SNHU) is changing that. Almost a thousand refugees in five countries are enrolled in SNHU degree programs—two-thirds are taking classes and a third are in internship programs. An astounding 90% of the scholars are on track to graduate.

Refugees should have the opportunity to have a proper education here in the US. It is essential to continue to help these minorities from different countries to achieve their goals by getting the education needed to make a living.

Dr. Chrystina Russell, the Executive Director of Global Education Movement (GEM), shares SNHU’s commitment to serving refugees with a flexible, free, applied degree pathway.

10/20/2020

Join us for our virtual Community World Trivia Event!
After much consideration and planning we are pleased to be able to offer our annual trivia event virtually this fall, with the hope of an additional in-person competition in the spring.
This event will be held over Zoom, with participants logging in to a separate platform on their phones to answer the questions.
Help support our International Exchanges and Education Department by participating in what will surely be a fun and educational evening!

You can learn more here: https://buff.ly/2IrCBHA
And register here: https://buff.ly/30mDqHW

10/20/2020

If you live in Erie County, you may qualify for help with rent if you got sick and missed work, lost your job, or had to take a pay cut, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you qualify you can get up to five months of rent covered, or up to $3,500. You can call 211 to apply or apply online. Online applications will be available here on 10/1. Applications will be accepted throughout the month of October and into November.

https://buff.ly/3iYI5X1

10/19/2020

Join us for our #weekofaction in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

Monday is take a self care break by coloring! Use any of these adorable coloring sheets to take some you time!

10/19/2020

Thank you to our top three Buffalo Without Borders sponsors!

Our sponsors make events like Buffalo Without Borders possible and we are forever grateful to their kindness and dedication to our services!

Huge Thank YOU:
@HarmacMedicalProduct
@MandTBank
Sastri Family Foundation

10/19/2020

To celebrate our first night of Buffalo Without Borders To Go, which features Ethiopian cuisine and culture, check out the video The Slyboots School of Music and Art shared with us about their African Dance group!

While Buffalo Without Borders is officially SOLD OUT! We'll be sharing videos about each of the cultures in our series so that everyone can celebrate immigrants, refugees, traditions, and diversity with us!
https://youtu.be/AFD7EJ-lTrM

And you can learn how to do some of the traditional moves here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewqq-3xJFdI

10/19/2020

How ‘Kids Of Immigrants’ And Vans Are Paying Homage To Immigrant Families With ‘Work A Day In Our Shoes’

Shoe brand Vans collaborate with a “Kids of Immigrants” to pay homage to immigrant families. 'Kids Of Immigrants' was founded by two kids of immigrants, found common traits that started their brand and today has initiated a collaboration with Vans, aptly called “Work A Day In Our Shoes.” This shoe collaboration reflects more than admiration for aesthetics and design between the two streetwear and skate culture pinnacles, it is a homage to the generation that sacrificed to have the following generation succeed. They understand this as doing "the best with what we have" as many immigrant families know of when leaving their home countries and coming to America with high hopes.

This is a great way to spread awareness of the many immigrants that have sacrificed and went through wild journeys to the US. It gives the opportunity to express personal stories and helps put in perspective the many immigrants that have built their lives here. It is essential to continue to remind each other of the sacrifices the past generations have gone through to have the following generations succeed.

Spanning two coasts, the Brooklyn native, Daniel, and Sacramento raised Weleh found common traits that started their brand and today has initiated a collaboration with Vans, aptly called “Work A Day In Our Shoes.”

10/19/2020

Night one of Buffalo Without Borders To Go is SOLD OUT!

Don't miss out on your chance to get one of the last remaining VIP bags for the other three nights of our BWB2G series!

Your VIP Bag will include:
⭐️ A fantastic dinner for two from Buffalo’s finest immigrant run restaurants
⭐️ An interactive culture packet on the country of each night, including a dinner playlist, a craft, a staycation travel story experience, traditional recipes from community members, and historical content about each culture!
⭐️ A paired wine for dinner from Paradise Wines or Hertel Liquor Library
⭐️ Chocolates from Blue Table Chocolates,
⭐️Two cans of Buffalo’s favorite beer, Let’s Go Pils, a custom from Community Beer Works
⭐️ A gourmet flavored popcorn bag from new West Side business, What’s Pop-in’
⭐️ Two face masks, one from Ten Thousand Villages and one from Buffalove,
⭐️And lastly a custom designed spoon and insulated International Institute Bag!

Buy your ticket here: https://buff.ly/33iZy7K

10/18/2020

The International Institute of Buffalo formally invites you to our Shop Local Challenge!
As the holidays approach, it is easy to get swept up in corporate companies and big sales.

But we encourage you to #shoplocal and #shopforacause This year especially it so important to support our local businesses, many of whom have struggled to maintain their usual sales throughout the pandemic.

Purchasing local helps our community thrive!

Local gifts have meaning and impact. We invite our community to do a portion (or all) of their holiday shopping at local establishments, with a mind towards businesses and missions they believe in!

Start off you local shopping challenge by shopping during our International Market Week! Shopping at any of the 10 businesses supports immigrant run and local shops! Plus 10% of all sales will benefit the Institute and our clients!

Only a few more hours to shop our International Market Week, find out more here: https://buff.ly/3lAFnJ0

10/18/2020

Join us for our #weekofaction in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

10/18/2020

Join us for our #weekofaction in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

10/18/2020

Today's the LAST day to shop during our International Market Week! Get your holiday shopping done early by shopping at any of the participating vendors. Make sure to mention the International Institute of Buffalo and we'll receive 10 percent of the proceeds!

Ten Thousand Villages
West Side Bazaar businesses:
Gadget Bazaar: https://buff.ly/3dGAtaN
Moon Lady Arts and Crafts: https://buff.ly/3k284hJ
Zigma Naturals: https://buff.ly/3779F20
Julienne Boutique: https://buff.ly/2H4W2We
Macrame by Nadeen: https://buff.ly/3nTyXXc
Sasmita Batik,
Blue Table Chocolates,
Black Monarchy,
Stitch Buffalo,
and Global Villages (located on Grant Street in Buffalo)

#Shopforacause #Shoplocal

10/17/2020

The last two of the four West Side Bazaar businesses participating in our International Markets Week are Zigma Naturals and Gadget Bazaar.

Zigma Naturals is a business that sells vitamins and natural products for skincare for both adults and children. They also sell traditional clothing and accessories that come from Burma, Korea, Thailand, and more!

Gadget Bazaar is a business that sells a variety of products from Sri Lanka! They also sell children's clothing, jewelry handbags, accessories, and Hindu religious items from Sri Lanka. Check out their customer favorite necklaces and earrings!

Don’t miss out on our International Markets Week happening THIS WEEK from October 12th-18th. Get your holiday shopping done early all while supporting local immigrant shops and the Institute with 10% of all purchases going towards the services that help refugees, immigrants, and survivors in Buffalo!

The businesses will be outside WEDI office’s at 436 Grant Street on the corner of Grant and Bird from 11 am – 3 pm each Saturday, weather permitting.

Gadget Bazaar: https://buff.ly/3dGAtaN

Zigma Naturals: https://buff.ly/3779F20

10/17/2020

Three of the five West Side Bazaar businesses participating in our International Market Week are Moonlady Arts & Crafts, Macrame by Nadeen, and Julienne Boutique.

Moonlady Arts & Crafts is a business that sells arts and crafts from her home country of Burma. Her store has gems, paintings, traditional puppets, and Burmese musical instruments! She also sells clothes, accessories, and religious items.

Macrame by Nadeen is a business that sells handmade macrame art, wall hangings, plant hangers, and jewelry. The owner, Nadeen, originally from Iraq, brought her dream with her to Buffalo, NY, and opened up her own business! Support a local immigrant shop by purchasing amazing art!

Julienne Boutique is a business that sells a variety of products from all over Africa. Many products come from Rwanda including Rwandan peace baskets and other types of specialty woven baskets. Julienne sells handmade jewelry that is also made in Rwanda, along with shawls from Namibia. There are also unique instruments being sold from South Africa including drums and an instrument called the kalimba, a thumb piano!

Don’t miss out on our International Markets Week happening THIS WEEK from October 12th-18th. Get your holiday shopping done early all while supporting local immigrant shops and the Institute with 10% of all purchases going towards the services that help refugees, immigrants, and survivors in Buffalo!

The businesses will be outside WEDI office’s at 436 Grant Street on the corner of Grant and Bird from 11 am – 3 pm each Saturday, weather permitting.

Moon Lady Arts and Crafts: https://buff.ly/3k284hJ

Julienne Boutique: https://buff.ly/2H4W2We

Macrame by Nadeen: https://buff.ly/3nTyXXc

10/17/2020

Stitch Buffalo’s Mission is to advance social justice for refugee women in Buffalo, NY by creating opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and economic empowerment through textile arts. They have grown into a thriving community of over 55 women from different countries around the world. They come together each week to form a Refugee Women’s workshop sewing and selling handcrafted goods within the community! Every peace pin purchased during our International Markets Week happening THIS WEEK from October 12th-18th will benefit the artist who made it and our Institute! Get your one of a kind peace pin now!

Check out their website!
https://buff.ly/3iaMHJe

#shoplocal #shopforacause

10/16/2020

Look at all these ADORABLE necklaces at Global Villages and they are just the start!

Check out what this West Side Business has to offer and do so this weekend! From today to Sunday, if you mention the International Institute of Buffalo, 10 percent of the proceeds will go to our services that benefit refugees, immigrants, and survivors!

#shoplocal #shopforacause

Check out the changes at 242 Grant Street!

10/16/2020

We are highlighting the beautiful cultures of BWB2G! Vendors with different songs each week. Don’t miss out on our event that includes boxes with a fantastic dinner for two from Buffalo’s finest immigrant run restaurants and an interactive culture packet on the country of each night that includes a dinner playlist with many more songs!

10/16/2020

Visit Buffalo Niagara

Black Monarchy is truly an amazing shop in the West Side!

And if you shop at Black Monarchy this weekend and mention the International Institute of Buffalo, 10 percent of the proceeds will go to our services that benefit refugees, immigrants, and survivors!

Check out her website here and #shopforacause https://www.blackmonarchy.com/

Entrepreneur and owner of Black Monarchy in Buffalo's Five Points neighborhood, Phylicia Dove loves her community - and it shows!

A neighborhood of small businesses whose owners live in the community they work in, the Five Points is an ideal place to spend a day if you're looking to live by the "buy local" mantra.

10/16/2020

The entire chocolate selection at Blue Table Chocolates is mouthwatering, but our favorite right now are these halloween-themed chocolate skulls!

Shop your chocolate local these year! And if you put in your order in the next 3 days and mention the International Institute of Buffalo, 10 percent of the proceeds will go to our services that benefit refugees, immigrants, and survivors!

Check out their website here and #shopforacause https://www.bluetablechocolates.com/

Two spooky chocolate truffle options for Halloween now available, including a pumpkin caramel in a milk chocolate shell next to a prickly pear custard in a dark chocolate shell. Make this year a little extra special, whether you're attending a (socially distant) party, or plan to stay on the couch watching early 80's horror.

10/16/2020

Our inspirational quote of the week comes from Madeleine Albright, an American politician and diplomat who served as the first female United States Secretary of State in U.S. history. We hope this quote will encourage you to continue to fight for justice in your own way, remember that acts of goodness big and small help to make the change we want to see.

10/16/2020

As census deadline looms, federal funding and representation at stake

TWO WEEKS REMAIN TO FILL OUT THE CENSUS!

"The Oct. 31 deadline to be counted in Census 2020 is right around the corner and local officials continue to make efforts – some of them ill-timed – to increase participation and help boost the area's federal funding and representation.

Erie County’s response rate so far is 70.6%, which is above the national rate of 66.8% and the state’s rate of 63.9%, according to the Census 2020 website.

But the rate in Buffalo is 54.3%, well below the 67% figure from a decade ago.

For months, local officials have been reaching out, imploring people to complete the census and telling them why it’s important.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz could not be reached, but his press secretary, Peter Anderson, said in an email Monday that “millions of dollars of federal funding for infrastructure, healthcare, and education are at stake and could be lost if a full, accurate count is not completed. The census also determines congressional representation, so a full count is imperative in order that Erie County and WNY are accurately represented in Washington.”

Buffalo is a city that is constantly improving, revitalizing, and expanding! These initiatives can be greatly helped by the money we could receive."

The Oct. 31 deadline to be counted in Census 2020 is right around the corner and local officials continue to make efforts to increase participation.