Vol. 8, No. 5 August/September 2018
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Festival of Nations
Exploring St. Louis' many cultural traditions
Three stages feature dancers and musicians from around the world. Photo by Jerry Smith/International Institute
2018 Festival of Nations debuts on August 25 and 26 in shady Tower Grove Park adjacent to St. Louis' thriving International District. Operating hours are 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday. Our region's largest annual multicultural festival boasts a cornucopia of food, music, crafts, dance and more. Brought to you by the International Institute and presenting sponsor Wells Fargo Advisors. Admission is free. www.festivalofnationsstl.org.
Summer Camp is Rousing Success
Delighting children and adults alike
2018 Summer Camp for children of IISTL clients is now complete. The four-week program featured a number of first-time experiences for more than 50 elementary school age campers daily. A visit from Fred Bird of St. Louis Cardinals fame (pictured below) was among the highlights as was a neighborhood parade on the final day (pictured above). Thanks to the Jewish Committee for New Americans (JCNA), a project of the Jewish Community Relations Council. JCNA organized and hosted the camp, raised the operating funds and recruited more than 150 volunteers. It was a wonderful community effort. Thanks!
Photos by Wayne Crosslin/International Institute
Refugee Families are Still Coming
Welcoming newcomers to new lives in St. Louis
Recently, International Institute staff and volunteers opened our donations storage area for newcomers who needed to expand their wardrobes. Photo by Wayne Crosslin/International Institute.
White House actions have resulted in a sharp decline in refugee arrivals in St. Louis and around the U.S. in the past year. Two years ago, the International Institute welcomed more than 1,100 refugees. In the current year, we are on a pace to resettle 250 with 211 having arrived in St. Louis and Springfield, Mo., through July 31. The smaller population still has resettlement needs, ranging from housing, furnishings, and clothing to English classes, jobs, and orientation. "We are so grateful for the community support that is still coming for the lucky refugees who are arriving," said Anna Crosslin, Institute CEO. "It is even more important right now to reach out to these newcomers with the anti-refugee, anti-Muslim rhetoric so high."
Join Refugees' Liberty Quest - Contribute Today!
Providing a pathway for refugees to St. Louis
Liberty Quest highlights the difficult journey that displaced families from Afghanistan and throughout the world have been making for decades to St. Louis. Once in St. Louis, IISTL provides resettlement services, English classes and interpretation, access to available health care, and job preparation and referrals. With your support they can become prosperous new Americans.
Please help the International Institute reach our goal of $45,050. Click here to make a donation now. Every $5 brings the Liberty Quest one mile closer
Upcoming Events
International Institute's Festival of Nations
August 25 - 26; Tower Grove Park
For more information, click here. To volunteer, click here.

National Welcoming Week
September 14 - 23
For more information, click here.

Decoding the Potential: Promoting Regional Prosperity Engaging Skilled Immigrants
October 19, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm; International Institute - Hall of Nations
For more information, click here

Anna Crosslin's 40th Anniversary Celebration
October 28, 6-8 pm; Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park

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 want! For rates and room sizes, please visit our rental page.

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