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!