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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 … Read More "Jonathan Blitzer at Congregation Beth Israel" |
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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 … Read More "Celebrate Juneteenth!" |
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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 … Read More "Documentary Screening of the film I come from Away" |
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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 … Read More "World Refugee Day Craft Fair" |
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(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. … Read More "Amp It Up!" |
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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:
