International Institute of Minnesota


The International Institute of Minnesota is a social service agency affiliated with United Way Worldwide and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.

International Institute of Minnesota
Formation1919
HeadquartersSt. Paul, Minnesota
Executive Director
Jane Graupman [1]
Websitehttps://iimn.org/

The institute was founded on December 12, 1919 as a branch of the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) of Saint Paul, Minnesota to help immigrants arriving after World War I.[2][3] The institute supports immigrants and their families through job placement, citizenship classes, English language classes and refugee resettlement.[4][5] The institute also offers legal and humanitarian services.[4][6] In 1931, Alice Sickels became the institute's first executive director and a year later the IIMN hosted its first Festival of Nations. In 1938, the institute became an independent agency.[3] Between that year and 1979, it resettled more than 24,000 refugees from around the world.[7] From 1974 to 2020, the IIMN resettled more than 25,000 refugees.[5][8]

During the 2019 Festival of Nations the IIMN had presented a demonstration stage, a showcase of dance and music from around the world.[9] Nearly 100 different ethnic groups participate in the annual event.[10][11]

References

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  1. ^ "International Institute of Minnesota celebrates 100th birthday".
  2. ^ Tribune, Maya Rao Star. "Minnesota refugee aid center's future in flux at 100". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  3. ^ a b Sampsell-Jones, Evie. "International Institute of Minnesota provides hope for immigrants and refugees". The Rubicon. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  4. ^ a b Tribune, Dee DePass Star. "International Institute of Minnesota's $12.5M expansion will extend services to 500 more refugees". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  5. ^ a b "International Institute of Minnesota expands Como Ave. headquarters". Midway Como Frogtown Monitor. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  6. ^ "Volunteer Guide - Pro Bono Net". www.probono.net. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  7. ^ "History of the International Institute of Minnesota". End Slavery Now. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  8. ^ "International Institute of Minnesota Careers and Employment | Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Career Center". jobs.minnesotanonprofits.org. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  9. ^ Dana Thiede (May 15, 2019). "2019 MN State Fair free entertainment lineup unveiled". Kare11. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  10. ^ "Festival of Nations returns to St. Paul on Thursday". kare11.com. May 2, 2019. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  11. ^ "St. Paul's Festival of Nations kicks off with cultural offerings from nearly 100 ethnic groups". Twin Cities. 2018-05-04. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
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