March 20, 2020
Dear Friends,
Along with our current limited campus operations at IISTL, we wanted to share additional resources that are available for non-native English speakers. Please share with family, friends and personal networks so that during this time, we can assist in a greater communal effort of support to our neighbors.
If you are a fellow nonprofit organization, you may find
this resource
from the Nonprofit Finance Fund useful.
Finally, the Immigrant Service Provider Network is compiling a shared folder with
community resources
that will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.
We intend to continue our efforts for as long as possible.
Until at least April 3
, we will be reducing our presence at the International Institute campus as follows:
- Our operating hours are changed to 8:30 am – 4:30 pm weekdays. The doors of our facility will be locked to the general public. Only assigned staff can enter.
- English and other classes, volunteer opportunities, and community meetings will not take place.
- Although most of our staff will continue to conduct Institute business, the majority of their work will be completed from home. A small administrative and service staff will be present during working hours on a rotating basis.
- Client appointments will be conducted by telephone or video. Bilingual caseworkers for high-need languages will carry cell phones, so recently-arrived clients can make emergency contact.
- The agency telephone number will remain operational for messages, and, during working hours, a receptionist will be available to direct emergency calls.
Currently, we are also utilizing our telephone system to share native language messages with groups of clients to keep them updated about the Coronavirus and agency service modifications. We have staff members able to answer questions in the following languages. If you know someone who would need to access these staff members for native language help, see the attached flyers with appropriate phone numbers:
Arabic
,
Farsi
,
Kinyarwanda
,
Nepali
,
Pashto
,
Swahili
,
English
,
Spanish
.
Thank you for your support during this trying period. The stress is real for everyone but especially for our clients who may struggle with language and cultural barriers. Be kind if you come into contact with a foreign-born person and help them if you can.
In Solidarity,
Anna E. Crosslin
President & CEO
