This April was another busy yet rewarding month at IIA as we welcomed 37 refugees from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Burma, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to Akron. Stay informed on all things IIA, our upcoming Open House, and more in the newsletter below.
IIA Open House
The International Institute of Akron’s Open House is officially less than two weeks away! Join us on Friday, May 10th, from 1 pm to 4 pm at our downtown office location for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, office tours, appetizers, and refreshments.
RSVP for free at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-institute-of-akron-open-house-tickets-875306474227
Volunteer Appreciation Month Spotlight
For Volunteer Appreciation Month, IIA is thrilled to spotlight one of our organizations outstanding interns, Daleelah Ali.
Daleelah first became familiar with IIA when her professor at the University of Akron mentioned the International Institute in an anthropology course on globalization with a focus on refugees. After applying, Daleelah began working as a Communications intern with IIA’s community outreach team. Her role includes creating graphics and blog posts for IIA that showcase and highlight ongoing events, holidays, achievements, social services, immigrant spotlight stories, and important information for clients and supporters. Her favorite work has been writing Recommendation corners for IIA’s monthly newsletters, as she has the opportunity to share some of her favorite readings and shows created by immigrants.
When Daleelah was asked what inspired her to get involved in immigration services, she stated,
“I come from a family of immigrants who have constantly worked hard to provide for their loved ones. My loved ones immigrated to this country having little knowledge of American culture and only knowing a few words in English. Despite this, many of them were able to acquire jobs, all while learning English and establishing themselves in this country. It only seems logical for me to repay the debt of what immigrants have done for me, like my relatives, and how they continue to pave the way for individuals like myself.
Immigrants are strong pillars in our community who bring a variety of different ideas, cultures, influences, and stories to this country. This country would not be what it is today without immigrants. I would like to be a source to these individuals by helping them further share their experiences and aid them in creating new beginnings in this country.”
Daleelah graduates from the University of Akron this Spring and plans to attend graduate school and obtain a Master's in Anthropology. The entire IIA team wishes Daleelah the best in her future endeavors, and we are incredibly grateful to her for her service at IIA and her work to make Akron a more welcoming place for all.
Recommendation Corner: Katayef (Qatayef)
This month, for IIA’s recommendation corner, we want to spotlight Katayef (or Qatayef), a sweet Middle-Eastern dessert that is typically eaten during the Holy month of Ramadan. Katayef is a stuffed folded pancake drenched in syrup topped with pistachios. This special dessert is often stuffed with nuts like pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and/or pecans. Katayef can also be stuffed with cream custard or sweetened cheese.
Katayef is typically fried until golden brown and smothered in a thick, sugary syrup.
To learn how to make Katayef, click here.
Arab American Heritage Month
For Arab American Heritage Month, we celebrate Arab Americans and recognize their invaluable contributions to the political, economic, and cultural landscape of the United States.
To honor this important month, we’ve highlighted two Arab American women, Huda Fahmy and Maysoon Zayid, in the IIA blog.
To learn more about their works in the community, head to https://www.iiakron.org/blog/2024/4/25/arab-american-heritage-month-recommendations
Get Involved
Intern: IIA is currently seeking to fill multiple internship positions, including Communications Intern and Refugee Resettlement Program Intern. If you are interested in applying or learning more, please visit https://www.iiakron.org/join-our-team.
Donations: One major goal IIA has for 2024 is collecting enough blanket donations to give a warm blanket to every new refugee we resettle. Our goal is to raise 500 blankets throughout the year, and we are well on our way to meeting this goal with over 150 blankets already donated. If you want to donate new or lightly used blankets, please contact Murtaza.hajizada@iiakron.org.
Thanks for staying up to date on everything IIA, and we look forward to sharing more information soon!