IRIS-Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services

Donate This Back-to-School Season!
2025-08-11 - 2025-08-18 | IRIS Warehouse, 75 Hamilton Street, New Haven, CT
Support Refugee & Immigrant Students

Backpacks
Notebooks, folders, binders
Pens, pencils, crayons, markers
Erasers, glue sticks, scissors
Rulers, highlighters
Lunch boxes & water bottles

Donation Drop-Off Dates & Location:
All material donations can be dropped off at our food pantry & warehouse facility on:
Monday, August 11
Friday, August 15
Monday, August 18
🕤 From 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
📍 IRIS Warehouse
75 Hamilton Street, New Haven, CT

Make a Financial Gift
Your money donation will helps us  ll in gaps and respond to urgent needs.
Our Amazon Wishlist
You can also shop online and ship directly to IRIS. Scan QR code on flyer.

Roots & Routes: A Call for Artists and Storytellers
2025-08-04 00:00 - 2025-09-17 00:00 UTC
IN THEIR SHOES:
ROOTS & ROUTES
Call For Artists & Storytellers
Ben & Jerry’s CT & the ACLU of Connecticut will be hosting an art gallery, to amplify and uplift the stories of immigrants & refugees in our community. The art gallery centers the lived experiences of immigrants & refugees in Connecticut.
We are seeking visual artists, photographers, writers, and creators of all ages to submit art that reflects: acelebratand love contributions immigrants & refugees make – to culture, cuisine, music,

What is joyful about the immigrant community & traditions.
Individual stories, emotions, or faces often erased in news cycles & policy decisions.
A challenge to dominant narratives about who belongs & what defines “American”.
Artists are invited to share stories from their own lives, their families, or their communities.
You’re welcome to interpret the prompts above metaphorically, spiritually, culturally, or politically. Think of these as starting points, not boundaries. All mediums and voices are welcome.
Last Date to Submit: September 17
Submit Art Using the QR Code

*All art pieces will be kept completely anonymous, & artists are not required to submit any information,

CT CHRO Symposium, Borders and Beyond: Immigration, Displacement, and Justice Today
2025-07-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
IRIS’ Executive Director Maggie Mitchell Salem will be joined on the panel by State Representative Geraldo Reyes, Vice President of the American Dream Foundation Emanuela Palmares, domestic violence and human trafficking expert at the Center for Family Justice Laura Silva, CHRO Deputy Director Cheryl Sharp, and immigration lawyer and Honorary Counsel to Romania Dana Bucin.
Wednesday, July 30
2:00–4:00 PM
Location: Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room 2E
300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
Virtual Access: Microsoft Teams – REGISTER HERE

Drag Bingo at Witch Bitch Thrift
2025-07-20 16:00 - 18:00 | WITCH BITCH THRIFT, 105 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT
Come help us raise money for @irisct_ and join us for Jimmy Buffet Drag Bingo! 🌴🍹🏖️🦩 July 20, 4-6 PM hosted by @frankiemcyanide ✨
Witch Bitch Thrift & Consignment Store
105 Whitney Ave
New Haven, CT

"Good Trouble Lives On" Protest
2025-07-17 18:00 - 19:30 | New Haven Green
The “Good Trouble Lives On” protest on July 17th is a national day of action to defend and carry forward the legacy of Congressman John Lewis, who championed the concept of “good trouble”. The rally aims to counter attacks on civil and human rights by the current administration and emphasize that power ultimately resides with the people. It’s a call to action to protect voting rights, protest criminalization and promote social justice through non violent means.

Amp It Up!
2025-06-29 15:00 - 22:00 | Cafe Nine, 250 State St, New Haven, CT, United States
(21+) AMP it Up (Artists and Musicians for Progress) will hold a fundraising concert at Café 9 in New Haven. All proceeds from the event will be donated to IRIS. Come join us there!

World Refugee Day Craft Fair
2025-06-21 13:00 - 16:00 | First Presbyterian Church, 704 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT, United States
To support refugee and immigrant women in honor of World Refugee Day, IRIS will hold a craft fair with art, crafts, desserts, homemade food, henna and more. We hope to see you there!
Located at First Presbyterian Church, 704 Whitney Ave., New Haven CT

Documentary Screening of the film I come from Away
2025-06-18 18:00 - 21:00 | Ferguson Library, DiMattia Building, Stamford, CT
Stamford Interfaith Refugee Settlement (SIRS) and IRIS are pleased to sponsor the screening of the PBS documentary I Come From Away: An Immigrant from Maine, an intimate look inside the immigrant community in Portland, Maine, as told by Nyamuon Nguany Machar, who arrived in the U.S. as a refugee in 1995, and David Zwalita Mota, an asylum seeker who arrived in the U.S. in 2019.
Location: DiMattia Building, Third Floor Auditorium, 1 Public Library Plaza, Stamford CT
For more information and to register, visit https://www.fergusonlibrary.org/event/documentary-screening-i-come-away-immigrant-maine-58986

Celebrate Juneteenth!
2025-06-14 11:00 - 17:00 | Milford Town Green, 84 S Broad St, Milford, CT, United States
The goal of the Milford Connecticut Juneteenth commemoration is to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States of America. Through this celebration, we seek to highlight the many accomplishments of the African diaspora by showcasing the culture through food, performing arts, and entrepreneurship. We also seek to increase public knowledge by emphasizing the many contributions made by the descendants of Africans to the American society and the world at large.

Jonathan Blitzer at Congregation Beth Israel
2025-06-04 18:30 - 20:30 | Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT
Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, will be hosting author Jonathan Blitzer, staff writer for the New Yorker.
Mr. Blitzer is the author of the book, Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis.
He will be at CBI on Wednesday, June 4, 7pm.
The book was a noted as a top 10 book of 2024 by the New York Times.
Register to attend at cbict.org
We can’t begin to heal our broken immigration system until we take an honest look at the political decisions and policies that brought us to this point. Mr. Blitzer will share what he has learned after more than a decade of reporting on immigration as well as powerful stories about immigrants whose lives have been deeply affected.
His talk will be followed by a conversation with Bob Fishman, Founding Executive Director of CIRC (CT Immigrant and Refugee Coalition) and Maggie Mitchell Salem, Executive Director of IRIS (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Service).
River Bend Books of West Hartford will supply our books.
A note from them:
Attendees can order copies through this link and we will bring their prepaid books to the event for them.
https://www.riverbendbookshop.com/book/9781984880826
They can note “Beth Israel event” in the comments section of checkout page to designate their event order.

Earth Fest
2025-04-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Yale Cross Campus, Yale Cross Campus, 120 High St., New Haven, CT, 06511
JOIN YSEC ON CROSS CAMPUS
Earth Fest is Yale’s undergraduate vibrant celebration of Earth Day, aiming to inspire and engage students, faculty, and the community in sustainability efforts. This annual event highlights the contributions of student groups, local businesses, and Yale organizations towards a sustainable future. Join us for activities, engagement, and support local businesses in New Haven and student groups at Yale!

Immigration Conversation with IRIS at the South Windsor Democratic Town Committee Meeting
2025-03-27 18:00 - 20:00 | South Windsor Town Hall, 1540 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor, CT, 06074
The Trump administration has promised and delivered abject chaos to those seeking legal immigration to the United States. Organizations like Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services Connecticut (IRIS) are on the front lines of those seeking legal status in the United States.

“Few know more about immigration than organizations that serve the immigrant community like IRIS. We have to stop demonizing people and begin a journey of meaningful understanding,” Anitha Elango, Chair of the South Windsor Democratic Town Committee said.
Please join us for an informative conversation with Maggie Mitchell Salem, Executive Director for IRIS, on Thursday March 27th at 6pm at the South Windsor Town HallIRI to find out the very real challenges the immigrant community faces, the work of IRIS-CT, and how you can help.

MSLC X QU IRIS Multicultural Showcase Fundraiser Event
2025-03-22 18:00 - 21:00 | Buckman Theater, 275 Mt. Carmel Ave., Hamden, CT, 06518, United States
Come join us as we embrace the beauty of different cultures from dance performances, cultural walks, and other expressions of heritage.
Click here to register

Light Up the Night for IRIS Vigil
2025-02-05 18:00 - 19:30 | The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Rd., Old Lyme, CT, 06371
In these early days of the new administration, federal funding for a host of worthy agencies has been suspended, eliminated, and then, (maybe?) partially reinstated. Few who depend upon that funding believe that the threat has gone away. Meanwhile, livelihoods and support services throughout the country hang in the balance.
Among the many worthy agencies affected across Connecticut, IRIS (Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services) in New Haven has experienced tremendous whiplash. Depending on which order is being considered, and when, it appears that IRIS stands to lose millions of dollars in funding, preventing them not only from helping to resettle refugees, but also hindering their ability to assist people in need all across the state. Losing that funding would place thousands of people in jeopardy.
The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, together with two other churches in town (St. Ann’s and Christ the King) as well as many other residents of no particular faith, have partnered with IRIS for the past decade, ever since the beginning of the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015. Indeed, our community was the first in the state to reach out to IRIS during that crisis, though many others soon did the same. Before long, a Syrian family arrived in Old Lyme and has remained here ever since, just the way Syrians arrived in communities all across Connecticut. Since that time, we have helped resettle five additional families in our area from many different parts of the world, a pattern that has unfolded all up and down the Connecticut Shoreline, and throughout the entirety of the state.
IRIS is one of the crown jewels of Connecticut, helping to make us the welcoming, hospitable, and culturally rich state that we are. Our communities have been improved by welcoming refugees, and supporting immigrants, which IRIS has facilitated.
If this is an opening salvo from a hostile new administration, then the time is right for Connecticut residents who continue to believe in the sanctity of hospitality to come together, and to push back the night.
With that in mind, the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme invites friends and supporters of IRIS to join us for a candlelight vigil on Wednesday evening, February 5th, at 6:00 PM. We’ll sing, we’ll offer words of prayer, and we’ll light up the night. But we also have a goal: to raise $100,000 as a gesture of goodwill and support for IRIS. That won’t be enough. But if similar events took place around the state, it would go a long way.
IRIS has given our communities so much. They have offered support and protection to so many, and they have enriched our lives for the relationships they helped to create. It’s time to give a little back.
But more to the point, it’s now time, like Miriam, to emerge from the bulrushes, and to push back against the Pharaohs that continue to afflict the vulnerable.
It’s time to show who we are as residents of a diverse and welcoming state, one that we can all be proud to live in.
Rev. Steven R. Jungkeit, Ph.D.
Senior Minister
The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
All are welcome to attend the vigil on Wednesday evening. The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme can be found at 2 Ferry Rd., Old Lyme, CT 06371.

Free Concert to benefit IRIS
2025-01-26 16:30 - 18:00 | 450 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT

New London Town Hall - A discussion on protecting our immigrants
2025-01-15 17:30 - 19:00

Meet Your Neighbors
2025-01-09 16:30 - 17:30 | Fair Haven Public Library, 82 Grand Avenue, New Haven, CT
Santa Vasquez is originally from the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the United States with her children in 2021. She will share her personal story, and provide some insight into experiences of Caribbean-Americans.

Connecticut Immigration Town Hall: Here For You
2024-12-05 17:30 - 19:30 | Parish House of the United Church on the Green, 323 Temple Street, New Haven, CT, 06510
Townhall Discussion on Federal Immigration Policy: Addressing Community Concerns
Join us for an important town hall featuring Attorney General William Tong, Mayor Justin Elicker, and Senator Richard Blumenthal (likely), as well as IRIS staff. This event is designed to address questions and concerns from our clients and community partners regarding potential federal immigration policy changes under the incoming Trump Administration.
Our speakers will provide insights into the anticipated actions of the administration, their potential impact on immigrants in Connecticut, and how local and state leadership plans to respond to protect and support our community.
This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from local leaders, ask questions, and discuss how we can work together during this pivotal time. All are welcome!
This event will also be available remotely and livecasted via Zoom.
In order to recieve the zoom link to attend the event, please register for the event. Once you have registered, you will recieve a zoom link to join the town hall 24 hours before the event begins.
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We kindly request all attendees to maintain civility and respect during discussions on this sensitive topic. Those who disrupt the event or behave inappropriately may be asked to leave to ensure a productive and respectful environment for all.
Register on eventbrite here

Overview of American Immigration
2024-10-20 11:30 - 12:30 | Buckingham Congregational Church, 16 Cricket Lane, Glastonbury, CT, 06033, United States
Speakers: Maggie Mitchell Salem and Tetyana Pavelo
Date: Sunday, 10/20/24
Time: 11:30am-12:30pm

Afghan Women Explore Themes of Identity and Home
2024-10-15 17:30 - 2024-12-03 19:30 | New Haven Free Public Library, Wilson Branch
The exhibit runs Oct 3 – Dec 3 with a public reception on Tuesday, October 15 at 5:30pm. Come enjoy our exhibit presentation, henna by refugee women and a delicious menu prepared by Sanctuary Kitchen and Havenly. Dari and Pashto interpreters will be provided.

CRIW – The Collective for Refugee and Immigrant Women’s Wellbeing’s Expressive Arts Initiative allowed Afghan women with limited power due to culture, gender, ethnicity, education and health disparities who are often unheard to tell their own stories via photographs and “story cloths”. This will be an opportunity to learn more about your Afghan neighbors and build community. This exhibit was made possible through the generous support of the International Association of New Haven.

Hartford's Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Affairs 10th Anniversary
2024-10-08
Hartford’s Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Affairs invites you to join them for their 10th anniversary at the Hartford Public Library.
Tuesday, October 8th, 5-6:30pm. 500 Main St., Hartford CT 06103
You’ll have the opportunity to view the touring exhibit journey of memories, meet with community members who care about Hartford’s immigrants and refugees, as well as hear updates on the commission’s progress and plans for the upcoming year.
RSVP through email: hartfodcria@gmail.com

Nuns on a Bus Immigration Roundtable
2024-10-03 14:30 - 17:30 | Fair Haven Community Health Care, 374 Grand Ave, New Haven, CT, 06513, United States
with Mirka Dominguez-Salinas, Manager of IRIS’ Community Resource Hub and Maggie Mitchell Salem, Executive Director
We invite you to join us on October 3rd at 2:30 PM for a roundtable discussion with the “Nuns on a Bus”, as well as Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, local legislation and community partners. The roundtable discussion will focus on immigration and how FHCHC is supporting immigrants coming to Connecticut and more specifically, New Haven. Once the roundtable discussion is complete, we will gather outside for a short press conference and the opportunity to sign the bus!
“Nuns on the Bus” is a social justice campaign initiated by a group of Catholic nuns in the United States. Launched by the Catholic social justice organization NETWORK, the campaign involves nuns traveling across the country on a bus to advocate for issues such as economic justice, healthcare access, immigration reform, and the need for a more compassionate society. FHCHC is one of two stops in CT. For more information on their cross country tour click here: Our Stops – Nuns on the Bus 2024
