IRIS will participate in the 2026 Guilford Rotary Lobster Fest, a community celebration and fundraiser hosted by the Rotary Club of Guilford. The event brings together residents, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders for an evening of food, entertainment, and community engagement while supporting charitable causes throughout the region. The annual Lobster Fest features … Read More "Guilford Rotary Lobster Fest 2026"
IRIS will host America 250 Event, a community celebration recognizing the contributions of immigrants and refugees to Connecticut and the United States, and celebrating 250 years of welcoming immigrants, democratic governance, and civil liberties. Held as part of the nationwide America 250 initiative, the event will bring together community members, civic organizations, artists, advocates, and … Read More "America 250"
Join IRIS members for a community celebration marking 35 years of Ukraine’s Independence, featuring Ukrainian music, culture, and community. When: August 22, 2026, starting at 1:00 PM Where: 225 Wooster … Read More "Ukraine Independence Day Celebration"
Online Community Meeting on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Via Zoom WE WILL PROVIDE UPDATES ON TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS (TPS) AND RECENT CHANGES INCLUDING THE TERMINATION OF TPS FOR HAITIANS AND … Read More "Community Meeting on Temporary Protected Status (TPS)"
Join IRIS and the New Haven community for the Faxon Law New Haven Road Race this Labor Day! The annual race brings runners and community members together for a fun … Read More "49th Annual Faxon Law New Haven Road Race"
Support Refugee & Immigrant Families Donation Drop-Off Dates & Location: All material donations can be dropped off at our food pantry & warehouse facility on: MONDAYS before NOVEMBER 12TH, 2026 or … Read More "Donate Winter Weather Gear"
September 14, 2026 7:00pm - 8:30pm This event has passed. View Community Update Presentation Slides - Full Screen View Community Update Recording
Join IRIS and the West Hartford Public Library for a screening of Midnight Traveler, followed by a discussion with IRIS members. About the Film Midnight Traveler is a 2019 autobiographical documentary … Read More "Midnight Traveler Film Screening & Discussion"
Join IRIS and our community partners for the World Refugee & Immigrant Festival, a joyful celebration of the cultures, traditions, and stories that make our communities stronger. Enjoy global cuisine, … Read More "World Refugee & Immigrant Festival"
Join Connecticut Foodshare, IRIS, and community partners for Gather 2026: A Celebration of Partnership, a full-day conference bringing together food pantries, community kitchens, emergency shelters, and nonprofit partners to learn, … Read More "Gather, A Celebration of Partnership"
Join the Notre Dame Club of New Haven for the 2026 UND Celebration: Cultivators of Hope, a timely conversation exploring how Notre Dame and Catholic partners are standing with Ukraine … Read More "Cultivators of Hope: How Notre Dame and Catholic Partners Stand with Ukraine"
Media inquiries:
IRIS: Maggie Mitchell Salem, msalem@irisct.org
Integrated Refugee & Immigration Services (IRIS) Collaborates with League of Women Voters of Connecticut for Constitution and Citizenship Day
Partnership raises awareness of the importance of voter registration, provides translated materials
NEW HAVEN, CT — In honor of this year’s Constitution and Citizenship Day, Integrated Refugee & Immigration Services (IRIS) and the League of Women Voters of Connecticut (LWVCT) are reminding newcomers and the community at large of their partnership to ensure that new citizens are able to access and participate in America’s elections. Each organization carries its own mission and history, but each has a simple conviction: a democracy that values the constitution and citizenship must be one where everyone can participate fully and with dignity.
“Taken together, these two organizations’ missions form a response to the particular challenges of this moment: deep polarization, the spread of disinformation, and barriers to civic participation,” said Maggie Mitchell Salem, Executive Director of IRIS. “For many families IRIS serves — newcomers shaped by past experiences in countries where political engagement carries life-threatening risk — voting and civic life can feel distant or even dangerous. That is where collaboration matters.”
The League of Women Voters of Connecticut focuses on the engine democracy runs on: informed, active participation in elections. The League is nonpartisan but not neutral about democracy itself. It believes every eligible voter should be able to understand the issues, access the ballot, and have their vote counted — no exceptions.
IRIS has been translating LWVCT voter education materials into the languages spoken by refugee and immigrant communities. “When a newly naturalized citizen receives clear, trustworthy, nonpartisan information about how to register and where to vote in their first language, a door opens,” Mitchell continued. “The message arrives alongside the words: you belong here; this democracy is yours too.”
“How great is it in America to be able to vote in free and fair elections?” said Patricia Rossi and Laura Smits, Co-Presidents of LWVCT. “Live in another country for a while and see how rare and precious that is!”
Voter registration materials offered by the LWVCT have been translated into multiple languages including Spanish, Swahili, Portuguese, Chinese, Pashto, Dari and Arabic. Residents can access the translated materials at:
Dari
Arabic
About IRIS: Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services
IRIS welcomes refugees and other immigrants, helps them rebuild their lives, pursue their dreams, and contribute to the vitality of their communities. Founded in 1982, IRIS advances economic mobility, legal stability, language equity, and civic engagement through its New Americans platform. Learn more at irisct.org.
About the League of Women Voters of Connecticut
The League is a political grassroots network and membership organization that believes the freedom to vote is a nonpartisan issue. For more than a century, we’ve worked to empower voters and defend democracy. As a women-led organization, we encourage everyone to take part in our democracy.
PUBLISHED BY THE DAY Oct 29, 2025
Attorney General William Tong speaks at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation in New London on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The event by Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services focused on the impact of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. (Alison Cross/The Day)
PUBLISHED BY THE HARTFORD COURANT
Originally Published:
