Vol. 7, No. 4 April 2017
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Race4Refugees Outstanding Success!
Welcoming refugee newcomers
The inaugural Race4Refugees drew a diverse crowd of runners, walkers, strollers, and dogs to Tower Grove Park on April 15.
More than 600 registrants crossed the finish line at the first-ever Race4Refugees 5K on April 15 in beautiful Tower Grove Park.
Participants ran, walked, or were carried by mom or dad in a show of support for St. Louis' local refugee and immigrant communities. Dogs and strollers were abundantly evident.
Andrew Nadeau clocked the fastest overall time, completing the 5K along sometimes hilly streets in 16:39.5. Melissa Menghini was top female runner, finishing in 10th place at 19:54.2. The 603 finishers ranged in age from 2 to nearly 75.
The run is the brainchild of Heather Huewe, a local runner. After the White House travel ban for refugees was announced, she reached out to Institute staff.
2017 Community Health Fair
Ensuring a healthier community through screenings
435 individual screenings were performed at the inaugural Community Health Fair at IISTL.
The Laborers' Local 42 and International Institute's Community Health Fair debuted in the IISTL gym on March 3.
More than 400 people, the majority of whom were immigrants or refugees, attended. Translators, in Amharic, Arabic, Bosnian, Chin, Farsi, Kirundi, Kurdish, and more languages, were donated by LAMP.
At the fair, these newcomers received medical screenings, met staff and volunteers from local health organizations, and learned about healthier living. In all, 453 individual screenings were completed.
Kidney function screenings were provided by the National Kidney Foundation. A number of organizations also provided HIV and Hepatitis C testing as well as blood glucose and blood pressure checks. 
Bake & Gather Benefits IISTL
Doing good for immigrant newcomers 
The April 15 Bake & Gather event was a sell-out. Barely 40 minutes after opening, customers chose from a few remaining dessert items.
A delectable pop-up event happened on April 15 to benefit the International Institute and the ACLU.
Thanks to the pastry chefs and chefs of Pint Size Bakery, Sugaree Baking Company, SweetArt Bakeshop & Café, Hidden Bakery, La Patisserie Chouquette, Comet Coffee & Microbakery, Reeds American Table, Alchemy Artisan Bakery, Vista Ramen, Winslow's Home, The Cakery, The Cup, Brasserie, Sardella, and more!
And a very special thanks to event organizer Mathew Rice. Matt is a local notable pastry chef who has been monikered "Gerard Craft's Go-To Pastry Chef," (Riverfront Times, Jan. 2017)!
Bake & Gather for Good is a grassroots campaign started by people in the industry who were feeling helpless and overwhelmed by the current news climate. The campaign started in LA, but events are popping up nationwide, encouraging people to do good through baking. 
Volunteer Gardeners Sought
Helping us by pruning trees and planting flowers
Do you like to ensure that trees and shrubs flourish? Can you teach our staff to better care for shrubs and plants? If so, we have a rewarding volunteer opportunity for you!
IISTL is recruiting 2-3 volunteer gardeners and horticulturists to help us further beautify the grounds of our Arsenal campus. Trimming lower tree branches and thinning out shrubs are immediate priorities. We also desire to prepare a flowerbed or two.
Intrigued? Email Anna Crosslin at crosslina@iistl.org to discuss options. Evenings and weekends projects are possible.
Webster Arts Engages Newcomers
Enabling refugees to enjoy arts & crafts
Older refugee clients completed knitting, water color, weaving, and other projects in a multi-week outreach program operated by Webster Arts volunteers at IISTL campus.
Upcoming Events
Give STL Day
May 11
A 24-hour giving event. Also, chances to win Cardinal baseball tickets. Info, click here.

Rock n Roll Benefit Show
May 12 at 7 pm; Heavy Anchor
Info, click here.

STL Freedom For All Festival
May 20, 4-8 pm; IISTL
Info, click here.

IISTL Speakers Bureau Recruitment
May 31, at 6-7 pm; IISTL
Do you enjoy speaking in public? Join the IISTL Speakers Bureau. We are recruiting individuals who are passionate about our mission and are available for community meetings or gatherings. Will train.

The International Golf Tournament & Dinner
June 5, at 1 pm; Glen Echo CC
To become a sponsor or sign-up a team, click here.

Tours of IISTL
Last Wednesday monthly, 10 am
Click here for reservation form. Group tours for more than five visitors can be arranged at other times with advance notice, also by using the form.
Other News
Rent event spaces at IISTL
Need a space to hold a small meeting or a large event? We may have what you are looking for! For rates and room sizes, please visit our rental page.

Festival of Nations - Artist and Booth Applications are available
Artists and performers, if you are interested in participating in Festival of Nations, please click here.
Food, gift and info booths to receive an application, click here.

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St. Louis Regional Chamber Logo
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International Institute of St. Louis | (314) 773-9090 | info.iistl.org | www.iistl.org