IRIS-Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services

Web Festival (Whallley, Edgewood, Beaver Hills)
2026-05-17 13:00 - 16:00 UTC
May 17 – Goffe Street Park in New Haven

Multicultural Festival
2026-05-11 18:00 - 20:00
By Norwich Public Schools – May 11, 6pm • Kelly Middle School

Breaking Bread with Refugees
2026-05-05 18:30 - 20:00
Tuesday, May 5 – Wallingford Public Library

Fair Haven Day Parade
2026-05-02 09:30 - 11:00
Saturday, May 2. Line up time 9:30AM

CT May Day 2026
2026-05-01
Mobilize with IRIS and other local organizations on May 1 on the New Haven Green!

Connecticut Foodshare Walk Against Hunger
2026-04-25 08:00 - 12:00
Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) will participate in the Connecticut Foodshare Walk Against Hunger, a statewide community event dedicated to raising awareness and funds to combat food insecurity. The event brings together individuals, families, and organizations committed to supporting access to food and essential resources for communities across Connecticut.
April 25, 2026 @ 8:00 AM – registration, 10 AM – walk begins
Location: Dunkin’ Park, 1214 Main Street, Hartford, CT
Event Information: Registration begins at 8:00 AM, and the walk begins at 10:00 AM. Participants are encouraged to join teams, fundraise, and support local food programs. Proceeds from IRIS participation will support food pantry efforts and services for clients.

Rock Voices – West Hartford Spring 2026 Concert
2026-04-24 19:30 - 21:00
Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) will participate in the Rock Voices Spring 2026 Concert, a community performance event hosted by Rock Voices, America’s Community Rock Chorus. This concert will serve as a fundraiser supporting IRIS programs and services. The event brings together community members through music while raising awareness and support for refugee and immigrant communities.
April 24, 2026 @ 7:30 PM
Trinity on Main, New Britain, CT
The concert will feature a large community chorus performing classic and modern rock and pop songs accompanied by a live band. Community members are invited to attend and support IRIS through this engaging and family-friendly event.
IRIS representatives will attend the event, engage with attendees, and share information about IRIS services and impact.

Immigrant Day at the Capitol
2026-04-23 15:00 - 17:00
Honoring immigrants whose leadership, resilience, and
contributions enrich the State of Connecticut.
April 23, 2026
3:00 PM-5:00 PM
State Capitol, 210 Capitol Avenue, Room 310, Hartford, CT
Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) will participate in Immigrant Day at the Capitol, a statewide event that brings together community members, advocates, and organizations to celebrate the contributions of immigrants across Connecticut. The event will highlight stories of resilience, leadership, and community impact while providing an opportunity for attendees to engage with policymakers and partner organizations working to support immigrant communities.
The event will include remarks from public officials, community leaders, and honored guests, as well as opportunities for networking and civic engagement. The program recognizes immigrants whose contributions enrich the state of Connecticut.

Community Immigration Update
2026-04-22 18:00 - 19:30
Please join us to learn more about recent updates regarding the revetting process and the administration’s lawsuit against New Haven as a sanctuary city. As always, interpretation rooms will be provided in a number of different languages.
JOIN HERE

Yale Student Environmental Coalition Earth Fest 2026
2026-04-18 13:00 - 16:30
Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) will participate in Earth Fest 2026, organized by the Yale Student Environmental Coalition (YSEC), a vibrant Earth Day celebration bringing together students, faculty, and community organizations. The event highlights initiatives that support a more sustainable and equitable future, while creating space for community engagement, education, and collaboration.
April 18, 2026 @ 1:30–4:30 PM
Yale University Cross Campus 120 High Street, New Haven, CT 06511
Earth Fest is a large-scale outdoor event featuring student organizations, nonprofits, businesses, live music, and interactive activities. The event is expected to draw a broad audience from the Yale and New Haven community and provides an opportunity for organizations to share their work, connect with attendees, and promote community-driven initiatives.
IRIS will host a table at the event, engaging with attendees and sharing information about programs and services that support refugees and immigrants in Connecticut. IRIS staff will also highlight opportunities for community involvement and ways to support immigrant and refugee communities.

HEAL Speaker Panel
2026-04-13 18:00 - 19:30
Local is Global: Supporting the Health of Refugee and Immigrant Communities Across New Haven
Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) will participate in a speaker panel hosted by the Health Equity and Anti-Colonial Liberation (HEAL) Coalition at Yale University. This event, held during National Public Health Week, brings together professionals working with refugee and immigrant communities to share their experiences and explore the intersection of public health, social justice, and human rights.
Winslow Auditorium, Yale School of Public Health
60 College Street, New Haven, CT

The panel will feature speakers from local organizations and institutions engaged in refugee and immigrant health work. The event is designed to foster dialogue with students and faculty and encourage engagement in advocacy and public health initiatives. Dinner will be provided, and attendees can register via QR code or online link.

IRIS will be represented by Rona Rohbar, who will share insights from her work supporting refugee and immigrant communities, including her professional journey and experiences in the field.

No Kings Rally
2026-03-28
on the New Haven Green!

9th Annual Yale Refugee Health Conference
2026-03-26 17:30 - 20:00
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS:
From Policy to Practice
Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 5:30 – 8 PM
Hope Memorial Building, Room 110
315 Cedar St, New Haven, CT
Dinner provided for those registered by March 24th
REGISTER HERE

Know Your Rights Discussion Panel
2026-03-25 18:00 - 19:30
March 25, 2026 – with IRIS Executive Director, Maggie Mitchell Salem

Legislative Breakfast with IRIS
2026-03-17 09:00 - 10:00
Join us for a breakfast & discussion supporting immigration.

Rock This Democracy Symposium
2026-03-15 14:00 - 15:30
One Year Anniversary – FREE ADMISSION

45the Annual CAACE Conference
2026-03-12 - 2026-03-13
The Connecticut Association for Adult & Continuing Education Conference March 12013
Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa – Groton

International Women's Day 2026 at Yale
2026-03-06 17:30 - 20:00

URGENT Community Update Meeting
2026-02-24 18:00 - 19:30

Protecting Our Children From Ice Conference
2026-02-20 19:00 - 21:00

Run for Refugees & All Immigrants
2026-02-08
See Event Page

NEXT Client & Community Update Feb. 3 @ 6pm
2026-02-03 18:00 - 19:30

2025 Wishing Wheels Bike Drive
2025-12-13 | Guilford Fair Grounds, 111 Lovers Lane, Guilford, CT, 06437
We are excited to announce the launch of the 2025 Wishing Wheels Bike Drive. As always, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for your continued dedication to the children in our community. Your compassion and hard work inspire us to keep making a difference, one bike at a time.
The 2025 Wishing Wheels Bike Drive will take place on Saturday, December 13th. As in past years, the success of this event depends on the collaboration of partners like you. Together, we can provide brand-new bikes and helmets to children who might not otherwise experience the joy and freedom of owning their very own bicycle.
We would love to partner with your organization again this year to identify children in need and make this holiday season extra special for them.
Bike Details
This year, we will be offering bicycles for boys and girls ages 2 through 10, along with a limited number of bikes for children ages 11 through 16. If your organization has older children in need, please know that those sizes are limited, but we will do our best to match each child with the correct bike based on age and gender.
Next Steps
Please reply to this email at your earliest convenience to confirm your participation in the 2025 Wishing Wheels Bike Drive. In your response, include an estimated timeframe for providing your initial list of children. Please exclude those who received bikes last year unless they have since outgrown them. Each list should include the child’s gender and age, and, if possible, first name.
Sponsorship Support Needed
Although we are fortunate to have hundreds of individual donors, the success of this event depends significantly on the generosity of our sponsors. We have attached a sponsorship letter that you can share with businesses, individuals, or partners who may be interested in supporting the event. If you have existing sponsor relationships, we would be so grateful if you could help us connect with them and share this meaningful opportunity.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out by email or phone at (203) 871-9896. We truly look forward to working with you again to bring joy, smiles, and the gift of two wheels to children throughout our community.
With gratitude,
The DellaVentura Family and The Wishing Wheels Team

Holiday Gift Drive for IRIS
2025-12-07 00:00 - 2025-12-13 00:00
DONATIONS BEFORE DECEMBER 12TH
WISHLIST:
Toiletries
Bedding
Pillows/Diapers
Toys/Crafts
Games/School
Supplies

IRIS Craft Fair
2025-12-06 13:00 - 16:00 | First Presbyterian Church, 704 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT, United States
In support of immigrant and refugee communities.
Saturday, December 6
1 PM to 4 PM
First Presbyterian Church
704 Whitney Ave.
New Haven Connecticut
Art • Crafts • Desserts • Homemade Food • Henna and More!
Cash Only.

Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution
2025-11-26 08:30 - 11:00 | IRS Food Pantry, 75 Hamilton Street, New Haven, CT
Turkey Distribution at IRIS/CSK Food Pantry on Wednesday November 26th from 8:30 to 11:00am.

Ukrainian Thanksgiving Celebration
2025-11-22 13:00 - 16:00 | Parish House of the United Church on the Green, 323 Temple Street, New Haven, CT, 06510
Location: United Church on the Green, 323 Temple St., New Haven, CT 06511

Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce – 2025 Big Connect Expo
2025-11-20 08:00 - 16:00 | Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, 155 Temple Street, New Haven, CT
November 20, 2025 @ 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
IRIS will participate in the annual Big Connect Business Expo, hosted by the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. This event provides a platform for organizations, businesses, and nonprofits to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas. IRIS will have a booth.
The CSK-IRIS partnership will receive the Constellation Award during the 9th Annual Nonprofits Align breakfast that morning. This award is specifically given to organizations that have successfully collaborated to “increase impact and ensure sustainability”.
Location: Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, 155 Temple Street, New Haven, CT 06510
Contact: info@gnhcc.com
IRIS Representatives will be there!

Café Nine 3rd Annual Band Halloween Fundraiser for IRIS
2025-10-30 00:00 | Cafe Nine, 250 State St, New Haven, CT, United States
October 30, 2025 @ [time TBD]
Café Nine will host a fundraiser to benefit IRIS, featuring live music, community spirit, and an opportunity to support immigrant and refugee families rebuilding their lives in Connecticut. Bring a coat for the coat drive and get a free drink from the bar.
Location: Café Nine, 250 State Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510

Friends of IRIS
2025-10-29 17:00 - 19:00 | All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 9 Jay St., New London, CT, 06320
Special Guest Speaker
Attorney General William Tong
With introductions by New London Mayor Michael Passero and Immigration Policy & Benefits Updates by Daad and Maggie
Wednesday, October 29 • 5PM
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation New London, CT
RSVP
