COMMUNITY & CULTURE
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Photo courtesy of International Institute of St . Louis
The International Institute refers to itself as “ the authority on refugees and immigrants in St . Louis ,” having played a crucial role in the resettlement and integration of just about every new immigrant population in the city for almost a century .
“ We ’ ve touched the lives of almost every community that ’ s come here ,” declared longtime president and CEO Anna Crosslin . “ In the ‘ 70s , it was the Vietnamese ; in the ‘ 90s , it was the Bosnians , and currently , we have Middle-Easterners and Iraqis coming in . We ’ re here to help them the way we ’ ve helped others before them .”
The St . Louis institute was founded in 1919 , as part of the Young Women ’ s Christian Association ’ s establishment of a few International Institute branches within its organizations nationwide . The local branch separated from the YWCA in 1923 , but it remains connected to the U . S . Committee for Refugees and Immigrants , a national network based in Washington , D . C ., which serves more than 1 million immigrants a year .
In St . Louis , the organization assisted about 8,400 clients from 111 countries last year . The services provided are constantly evolving , depending on the needs of the new arrivals , Crosslin said . English classes , job placement , citizenship , housing and small-business development are just some of the resources offered .
“ Learning the English language is a dominant challenge . Because their ability to speak English is sometimes limited , it ’ s harder for them to get a job ,” Crosslin explained . “ For instance , if we resettle a 45-yearold Iraqi doctor who does not speak English , we might counsel the individual to enter a field like lab technology , or to consider a business that they could engage in .”
Crosslin added that there is a microlending program to help start small businesses . “ Since 1999 , we ’ ve assisted almost 600 small businesses - each with fewer than five employees . That ’ s a positive economic impact of approximately $ 170 million .”
The institute also leads advocacy and awareness campaigns throughout the St . Louis region by providing speakers , hosting panels and initiating other ways to inform . With the current wave of new arrivals seeking refuge from countries like Syria , community engagement is just as important .
“ With the Syrian children , these are kids waiting in refugee camps or in countries where they haven ’ t attended school for several years . It ’ s harder for them . They need more intense services to be able to catch up ,” Crosslin said . “ We consult with elected officials , school districts and others that need to understand more about the growing diversity and how it will affect them .”
With the headlines from Washington prompting renewed interest in immigrants living in the United States , Crosslin said it ’ s a good time to become informed and look for ways to make a difference .
“ There have always been people who see immigration as something positive , and there will always be those who see it as a negative ,” she said . “ Now , a new scenario has emerged . In the past , both republicans and democrats have supported refugee resettlement for different reasons , but recently , we ’ ve seen an increasing division about issues of multiculturalism .”
No matter the climate , the International Institute will continue to serve as “ St . Louis ’ welcoming center for immigrants and their families ,” according to Crosslin , who urges St . Louisans to join the effort .
“ Start by going to our website , and looking at our upcoming events and activities . Participate . Volunteer . You can do it on your own or with a group of friends . We have been really gratified by the large number of volunteers - people who want to help .”
MISSION : To help immigrants and their families become productive Americans , and champion ethnic diversity as a cultural and economic strength . HOW YOU CAN HELP : Each summer , the International Institute hosts the Festival of Nations at Tower Grove Park . The popular , daylong event promotes multicultural diversity and connects foreign-born St . Louisans to the community at large . This year ’ s festival dates are Aug . 26 and 27 . For more information , to volunteer , or to make a donation , call ( 314 ) 773-9090 or visit iistl . org .
SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY 81