Stories – IRIS-Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services

IRIS Empowers Students Through School Partnerships

by Kris Tonski

By Tatum Courtmanche

IRIS has an ongoing initiative to expand its outreach to involve the community in its underlying mission. Schools are an important part of our outreach efforts and, since 2022, IRIS has offered an organized, student-led approach that directly prioritizes youth involvement. There are currently 60 schools involved in the School Outreach Initiative in some capacity. They range from Nursery School to University level, include public, private and magnet schools, and are located throughout the state.

Since the start, IRIS has participated in approximately 50 individual school events per year, consisting of a mix of class presentations, donation drives, and various activities with student-led clubs and organizations. There are several important long-term, student-led relationships with local universities such as Yale, Quinnipiac, and UCONN, as well as many collaborations with high school students across Connecticut.

This past year’s high school collaborations have included donation drives organized by the Hopkins High School IRIS Club, led by students Saidan Thapa and Evan Yan, as well as card-making activities with Avon High School, spearheaded by student leader Saanika Tipnis. Our youngest collaborators included students from Westville Community Nursery School, who hosted IRIS speakers for a multicultural tea party. Other schools that continue to participate include East Haven High School, Choate Rosemary Hall, as well as a few newer ones, such as Pierrepont School in Westport, CT.

Marya Fisher, the Head of High School at the Pierrepont School, was initially introduced to IRIS through the Run for Refugees, having participated herself with a group of students in the past. This past school year, the student leadership group at her school decided they wanted to engage with IRIS on a larger scale as a community service project. Soon after, the School made arrangements for Hossna Samadi, IRIS’ Outreach Coordinator, and Tabitha Sookdeo, the previous Director of Community Engagement, to speak at an assembly program in January.

The presentation was attended by about 100 students from grades 6-12 and was a powerful experience for both students and adults. Hossna and Tabitha shared their personal stories, explained the work of IRIS, and fielded questions from the audience. Marya later noted that “the younger students were especially engaged, asking most of the questions and finding the session particularly productive.” For many young students, this was their first time learning about others who have been forced to flee their homes and hearing people speak about their personal experiences.

Marya stated, “This initial speaking engagement was incredibly positive and eye-opening, offering clear ways for students to help and raising awareness about the refugee crisis close to their community.” The head of the school also attended, immediately wanted to find ways to get engaged and a student-led IRIS club was started. Aman, one of the students who had participated in the Run for Refugees, led the school in organizing a school supply drive in the spring.. As Marya pointed out, this partnership was driven by genuine interest and engagement from the students, with no service hours required.

One of IRIS’ other long-standing relationships is with Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. Over the years, IRIS has had interns from Quinnipiac along and has participated in a few different community collaborations. This past year, political science student Jannat Butt took the partnership to another level, by interning as a liaison between Quinnipiac University and IRIS. Jannat is currently in her second year in this role.

During the initial ten month period, Jannat coordinated seven different events throughout the school year, including: an immigration panel featuring Hossna Samadi, two attorneys from IRIS, and a Quinnipiac professor of international business; an IRIS Kahoot night; a tabling event on the Quinnipiac quad during the Students for Environmental Action Fair; as well as a school-wide drive for kitchenware and personal care products. She also raised several hundred dollars by creating a Quinnipiac University team for the 20234 Run for Refugees.

Jannat has noted that “by engaging with IRIS, students not only become educated on important issues but also take concrete steps to support and uplift both the local community and those who are giving back to it.” This involvement fosters a sense of responsibility and empowerment among students, ensuring the continuity of community service and support for IRIS. Jannat believes “it is crucial to establish and maintain a strong relationship with IRIS within the university setting to ensure that the connection does not fade over time.” This sustainable continuity is central to the School Outreach strategy.

Providing a different perspective, Amy Christman, the Assistant Principal of ACES Educational Center for Arts in New Haven, also cultivated a relationship with IRIS this past year. Amy had known about IRIS for a long time through events such as the “Run for Refugees” and she was always looking for meaningful ways for her students to get involved in the community. Amy emphasized “because ECA is a magnet school representing 27 school districts, this was especially exciting because it immersed students from outside New Haven into the community.”

Last summer, Amy met with the IRIS Community Engagement team and put together a plan. The initiative kicked off with a presentation by Hossna which was designed to raise general awareness. This presentation was followed by a coffee house fundraiser to collect backpacks and school supplies and was soon followed by the launch of ACES’ involvement in the IRIS after-school program, where groups of ACES students visited the IRIS Education Center once a month to share their skills and have fun with IRIS youth through the arts. Amy explained that, “Over five months, these workshops built strong relationships between a core group of students and faculty from each department”, noting that not only was this a great opportunity for IRIS, but also an opportunity for her students to gain the privilege of service and giving back.

Amy emphasized that she believes in the power of connecting through the arts to overcome language barriers and using dance, movement, and visual arts to foster deeper communication without words. She stated, “The power of allowing students to take initiative and create these relationships and bonds with IRIS gives them a sense of empowerment as well and fosters such a positive partnership between students and IRIS as an organization.”. This collaboration with ACES is also in its second year.

As IRIS continues to deepen and expand its reach in Connecticut communities, the organization’s commitment to involving educational institutions remains a cornerstone of its strategy. The strategic emphasis on youth involvement and community engagement has allowed IRIS to not only raise awareness about refugee resettlement but also to inspire tangible actions and support from students and educators alike.The positive experiences and strong relationships built through these initiatives ensure that IRIS’s mission will continue to thrive, supported by a new generation of engaged and informed advocates.

Community sponsorship event celebrates JCARR

by Kris Tonski

On September 28th, IRIS held a workshop event at Southern Connecticut State University that convened community sponsorship group leaders from across the country who share in IRIS’s mission to assist refugees and other displaced people as they reestablish their lives in our communities.

In attendance were sponsor group leaders from WelcomeCorps, a new national resettlement program that launched in 2023. These leaders came from Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Colorado, and Nevada. They were joined by community co-sponsor group leaders located in Connecticut who helped inspire the national program..

“These are Americans who do what our team does: secure housing, help register kids in school, connect adults to employment and to English classes – they sometimes even teach English themselves! Even more important, they welcome newcomers into their communities,” said IRIS’ Executive Director Maggie Mitchell Salem.

During the workshop, community group leaders shared their experiences on how to best support refugees and other displaced people. Contributing to the conversation were our keynote speakers Anna Greene,Resettlement Officer at UNHCR, and Basma Alawee,Deputy Executive Director of the Community Sponsorship Hub, who were able to share their experiences in the refugee community and the resettlement process as a whole. Community Sponsorship Hub’s master storyteller Sarah Hunaidi led a session on how expanding outreach and awareness through communications connects audiences to the importance and impact of refugee resettlement.

During the workshop, IRIS also highlighted and celebrated the work and dedication of the CT Co-sponsor group, Jewish Community Alliance for Refugee Resettlement (JCARR), a partnership of six New Haven-area synagogues, as well as the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. As an IRIS co-sponsor, JCARR has helped nine families – comprising over 40 individuals – resettle in our local communities. Over the past 9 years, JCARR has supported families from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Angola, Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

IRIS awarded leader, Jean Silk, and JCARR with the inaugural Golden Door Leadership award. This year’s award consisted of a hand-painted calligraphy of Emma Lazarus’ poem “The New Colossus” by a local community artist Alibaba Awrang. Alibaba is a former refugee from Afghanistan who was resettled by a local community sponsor group in Washington, Connecticut. The selection of Emma Lazarus’ poem is a depiction of the poem written on the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of the American heritage and tradition of welcoming refugees, displaced people, and those fleeing persecution from around the world.

Jean Silk, in response to receiving the award stated that “I am pleased to accept this award on behalf of JCARR. This award truly goes to all the volunteers who do the work for JCARR.”

In presenting the first Golden Door Leadership Award to JCARR, IRIS (Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services), told JCARR that they were the first group to form a coalition (in response to the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015), they were the first group to receive a family as a co-sponsor of IRIS, JCARR has strong leadership, and has worked hard in full partnership with IRIS, through many crises over the last 9 years. JCARR has always taken the approach of asking, “How can we help?”

Jean concluded her remarks with, “JCARR leaders are looking forward to welcoming our TENTH family in our TENTH Year – 2025!”

I Had Mastered the Art of Being Invisible

by Kris Tonski

“While it’s hard to stay in place, change is even harder,” Remar states matter-of-factly when asked about his journey to the U.S.

It’s a relatable sentiment; and while the global number of refugees and other immigrants is staggering, it represents a small percentage of people who are still internally displaced or confronting persecution. Leaving and starting over in a new country are their own tumultuous events.

For Remar, a young gay man from Jamaica, life had been trying for some time; yet he knew the lay of the (homophobic) land. “I had mastered the art of being invisible because that’s what you need to survive. In Jamaica, what we see is sexuality: are you gay or straight? Everything is tied to your sexuality. If someone hits your car, and in the confrontation you come across as being too effeminate or gay, then you’re automatically wrong,” he explains.

Even at university, where one might expect more accepting attitudes, Remar experienced a specific sort of repudiation. Many closeted gay students and faculty who could pass as straight, were actively cruel towards men who were visibly gay on campus. They thought this would be a distraction from their own sexual differences, but it was moreover destructive for gay men like Remar.

In Jamaica, since it is not culturally acceptable to befriend individuals within the LGBTQ community, Remar struggled finding allies. He longed for support to help him through difficult times, including threats to his safety and attempts to flee the country to build a new life.

Fortunately, Remar had a gay friend from Jamaica in New York who could help. Remar had been to New York several times and maintained a U.S. visa. He had a clear exit strategy when matters in Jamaica reached a tipping point. This happened when his apartment in the capital, Kingston, was ransacked. The police had the culprit in custody soon after, but he was quickly set free without accountability. Once the officers clocked Remar as gay, they removed themselves from the case after having expressed doubt about his testimony. He began receiving threats. The thief knew then that he could return with impunity and could also trace where Remar worked if he really wanted to wreck his life.

“I’ve lived in ten different apartments over the course of ten years. People sometimes just say something and a rumor stays and that causes an uproar,” Remar says, also mentioning that he feels lucky to have made it out alive. He had friends who inquired with the police about his case and ended up paying with their lives.

Remar made it through the catastrophic weeks following the robbery, holding it together at his management job and convincing his university to allow him to finish his degree online.

Having a friend in New Haven led him to Connecticut. He began his asylum claim and sought out the help of IRIS. He expresses gratitude and talks about his experience with Brooke C., the supportive therapist on staff at IRIS, as the most meaningful way that the organization has helped him. “She talked me through it, and I was able to relax a bit, understand who I was and how to move forward,” Remar reflected about their sessions.

Even after fleeing, Remar’s social life here in the States can be rough. There is the internalized homophobia that rears its head at odd moments. Remar kept returning to how ingrained disdain for gays is in his home culture.

In spite of struggles, Remar has a stable job working the night shift at Wal-mart, where he says again he has learned the lay of the land – who to trust and who not to trust in regards to his sexual identity. He has experience in project management and has the long term goal of being a consultant. Remar exudes a strength, as if he has gotten through the worst part of a storm, and gives himself grace, acknowledging that it takes time to establish oneself in a new home.

Reviving Ancient Ukrainian Dolls in CT

by Kris Tonski

My name is Zhanna. I’m from the Volyn region of Ukraine.

I came to the United States under the Uniting for Ukraine program and I have been living in Hartford, Connecticut for a year. Even though I’m far from home, I like my life here.

On Facebook, I came across Svetlana, IRIS’ Ukrainian Program Outreach Specialist. She helped me move and settle into an apartment, complete paperwork, and search for a job.

It’s hard to be new in this country, especially when you don’t know the language. Fortunately, I found sympathetic people at IRIS.

I’m creative and I’ve always liked doing something with my hands. This is how the idea of making Ukrainian dolls, called Motankas, was born.

Ukrainian towels and embroidered shirts are known everywhere in Ukraine and beyond its borders, but Motanka dolls are less known.

Motanka is a symbol of well-being, hope for the best, and is a sacred object. They’ve been around for 5,000 years.

You can’t make a Motanka doll when your heart is hard or you’re angry. It should only be done with good in the soul. After all, each doll was and remains a unique creation of the master. In ancient times, the motanka doll performed an important function of amulet and talisman for the whole family.

There are many variations of Motankas, because each craftswoman puts a piece of her soul into it. This is how my motanka doll was born. Here, in the United States, I want to work and do something useful for people. All this was possible thanks to the help of IRIS.

*Zhanna (pictured left with Svetlana), originally shared her story with IRIS in Ukrainian. It has been translated to English.

As She Feels Her Hijab in the Breeze

by Kris Tonski

© Rachel Peet

For 18-year-old Reem, a recent high school graduate, the daily ritual of pinning up her hijab, clasping her Iraq-shaped necklace, and draping her black and white keffiyeh over her shoulders has brought her closer to a sense of freedom than ever before.

Having been a refugee from Iraq and Syria, Reem understands that freedom can feel very distant for the “caged birds” in our migrant community. Her familiarity with the apprehensive voices experienced by many refugees and people of color has inspired her to study Human Rights at the University of Connecticut this fall.

Reem’s journey of advocating for human rights began with her connection to IRIS. She was only four years old when she, her younger sister, and her mother arrived in the States in 2009 to seek a safer and more hopeful life. Initially, IRIS provided financial aid and resettlement support for her family and extended relatives. By 2015, when her aunts, uncles, and grandmother arrived to reunite with them through IRIS —a vivid and unforgettable memory for Reem—she was well on her way to resisting the systemic barriers around her. The reconnection with her youngest aunt was especially inspiring.

In the following years, the bond between Reem and her aunt strengthened through their involvement with the Youth Leadership group as IRIS. This group of immigrant and refugee women met once a week to explore leadership activities as they navigated their first years in the States. Some of Reem’s cherished memories from the group include local field trips to nearby museums, the New Haven Public Library, and Hammonasset Beach, during which they learned about the local history and impact on immigrant populations over time, especially migrants of color in New Haven.

One of the most memorable workshops from Reem’s time with the Youth Leadership group was an introduction to the history of the Black Panther Party (BPP). As they carried old photographs around and from downtown New Haven, Reem and her friends were transported back to the 1960s and 70s, when the Black Panthers sought to protect and liberate long-discriminated Black neighborhoods. As an aspiring photographer, Reem was struck by the lack of change between these historical images and the present view, which fueled her passion for advocating for human rights. Inspired by Malcolm X and the BPP’s slogan, she felt a strong need to create “Freedom by any means necessary” for the greater good of the global migrant community.

Throughout her sophomore and junior years of high school, Reem emerged as a pioneer for the Youth Leadership group. She planned numerous lessons on social justice, racism, and other contemporary issues, opening up her perspective and those of her peers. One of her favorite lesson plans highlighted the evolution of women’s suffrage and its correlation to present day women’s rights. Reem’s exposure to IRIS were seeds that would eventually flourish her enthusiasm for social justice, particularly at her school, Wilbur Cross High School.

In her final years of high school, Reem participated in multiple protests for oppressed populations and even organized a student-led walk-out within the New Haven Public School system. The walk-out in May of 2022 involved more than 600 students protesting against School Resource Officers (SRO’s) and their discriminatory actions towards students of color and their rights to freedom of speech.

“It was really cool marching in the streets alongside people who have similar perspectives and drive. It’s an indescribable feeling. You’re so present with all the passionate emotions of all those who are involved,” Reem said.

Even within the walls at Wilbur Cross High School, Reem grew impassioned as a social justice advocate. Her favorite course studied African American and Latinx cultures and history in the United States. The passion of her teacher motivated her to delve deeper into human rights and social justice through her involvement in school clubs such as Student Council, The Proclamation (the student newspaper), and the National Honors Society.

As Reem recognizes the cyclical and stark connections between past and present injustices, she has started to reconnect with her Middle Eastern culture, family, and beliefs. Just last summer in 2023, Reem decided to start wearing her hijab. With her aunt being a source of support in her life, Reem looked to her for guidance in making such a big decision.

“When I was deciding my hijab journey, she was a huge help in really emphasizing that it was my personal decision and no one else’s. She reminded me that if I choose to wear my hijab, it was a decision only between myself and Allah, just like any other decision. There’s no need to listen to others and do what they say or want. She’s one of my greatest inspirations in life,” Reem shared.

As an Iraqi-American who often feels like she’s living two lives in the States, the ability to make such choices for herself has brought Reem greater freedom. It’s the choice to wear her hijab, to speak more Arabic with her loved ones, to carry her keffiyeh across her shoulders every day, to celebrate Islamic holidays like Ramadan, and to embrace her Middle Eastern roots. This is what sets Reem free, allowing her to share her voice with the ever-evolving melting pot of cultures in America. The blend of experiences with IRIS, her aunt, her high school education, and the influence of social justice poets like Maya Angelou and Refaat Alareer have all contributed to the amplification of her own words. In a recent senior speech reflecting on Alareer’s “If I Must Die” poem, Reem shared the following:

“He teaches me to never be silenced by anyone and to speak my truth even if no one in the room agrees with me or has the confidence to speak up. He teaches me to wear my keffiyeh, hijab, and Iraqi necklace with pride in every space I step foot in. I am proud of my brown skin that gleams in the sun. I am proud to be born in Iraq. I am proud to be a refugee. Generations behind me in my footsteps to future endeavors. I shine everywhere I go. I am a woman who is not afraid of death. I want my life to be remembered – to be told at family gatherings, at a graduation speech. To never be erased.”

Reem is proud to toss her graduation cap as she embarks on yet another transformative chapter with her hijab freely flowing in the breeze.

Advocacy, Ancestry, and Ayiti

by Kris Tonski

© Rachel Peet

As a first generation Haitian American, Imani Jean-Gilles embodies advocacy, decolonization, and an appreciation for the diverse journeys of IRIS clients. She joined IRIS in 2021 as Manager of Youth Services & Education Advocacy, and eventually, IRIS’ Education Program Coordinator. She’s managed various education programs for immigrant youth, including in-school tutoring and the Summer Learning Program, one of IRIS’ largest programs that averages over 100 students per day.

While she represents Ayiti (Haiti) with pride for her ancestors, not just during this Haitian Heritage Month, she also encourages the expression of many other long repressed voices from our global community, particularly those who have been forced to flee their homelands.

“Not only the people of Ayiti (Haiti) are being actively displaced, but people all around the world are becoming disempowered and marginalized in their own homes. If we don’t advocate for our existence, we may never have our unique nations, languages, cultures and populations ever again,” Imani emphasizes.

For over five centuries, the island nation of Ayiti (Haiti) has stood as an enduring symbol of resilience, being the first Black republic to liberate itself from colonial rule. The most familiar feelings that have transcended beyond physical and cultural borders, as well as these 500 years, are that of such resilience and determination.

Imani’s upbringing was shaped by her parents’ unwavering commitment to instill in her and her siblings the importance of carrying themselves with dignity, echoing the strength of her ancestors. Imani reflects, “…having my parents’ guidance growing up was essential as they always spoke highly of Ayiti no matter what was going on there or what the media was saying. They always spoke love and power into Ayiti.”

While Imani has yet to be directly involved in supporting Haitian youth through the educational programs offered by IRIS, her deep sense of Haitian pride and passion has found expression in our Youth Leadership Program. Last March, she designed a special workshop that delved into the rich history and culture of Ayiti. Home-cooked, Haitian dishes and newfound perspectives were shared as Imani’s family tree and culture unfolded before her at work.

Beyond the education department at IRIS, Imani supports Haitian clients whenever possible. Whether bridging communication gaps at our weekly food pantry by interpreting between English to Haitian Kreyol or sharing an important message around registering for English classes in Kreyol, Imani is ready to lend a hand.

“I’m not working day-to-day with the Haitian population, but there are small ways in which I’ve helped. I will go out of my way to do it even if it’s not in my job description,” says Imani.

Recently, Imani’s advocacy was showcased in a webinar spotlighting “Taíno Voices,” referring to the historic indigenous population of the Caribbean. Despite the near extinction of the Taíno language, an Arawakan language once dominant in the Antilles, Imani remains dedicated to ensuring that her own voice, lineage, and people endure into the future, particularly as Haitian migration is on the rise.

Imani’s advocacy work has taught her the importance of listening to diverse voices. As her Haitian brothers and sisters have long strived for, Imani too strives to connect and foster deeper understanding amongst all migrants through her ongoing exploration of new languages. Through her passion for linguistic diversity, Imani is knowledgeable in five different languages, including Taíno, French, Arabic, and Haitian Kreyol. Her dedication both mirrors that of an exemplary educator and the openness of many other multilingual Haitians.

Imani believes that dismantling societal barriers hinges on listening to and understanding not just one, but both perspectives, often conveyed through the languages that shape them. Her consistent efforts towards heightened understanding as an educator has opened many doors for the individuals she educates at IRIS, and beyond.

She, alongside her Haitian brothers and sisters embrace the proverb “Dèyè mòn, gen mòn,” meaning, beyond every mountain, lies another mountain. Despite never seeing the full view from every “mountain top” after each challenge, they continue pushing forward, accepting that each new summit holds more unknown strengths and broader perspectives. Imani strives to share the hope of this message with all migrant journeys as an educator, social justice advocate, and Haitian American.

A Sudanese Woman’s Resilience

by Kris Tonski

© Nusaibah Shatta | May 23, 2024

My name is Nusaibah, and today I stand before you not just as a Sudanese mother, but as a woman whose heart is heavy with the burden of our nation’s trials and tribulations. When I was asked to participate in this event, I didn’t fully grasp its significance. But at the mere mention of Sudanese women’s resilience, something stirred within me—a flame of hope amidst the darkness.

As Sudanese women, we are nurtured with an indomitable spirit, instilled with pride for our heritage, and inspired by the legacy of our ancestors—the mighty “Kandakas” who ruled with strength and grace. Their resilience echoes through the ages, reminding us that in the face of adversity, we can rise.

The horrors of war have etched themselves into the very fabric of my being. The anguish of not knowing whether my loved ones would see another day, the fear that gripped my heart, and the helplessness that threatened to consume me—it’s a pain I carry with me every moment. And even as I’ve ensured the safety of my family, the weight of survivor’s guilt bears down on me, knowing that countless others continue to suffer.

Every night, as I close my eyes, memories of my homeland flood my mind like a relentless tide. I long for the streets of my childhood, the laughter of friends, and the warmth of community. But amidst these yearnings, a haunting question looms: will we ever truly find our way home?

The senseless violence tearing through our society is a wound that refuses to heal. Instead of nurturing unity, it has sown seeds of division, costing us the lives of our loved ones. It’s a tragedy that cuts to the core of our collective identity, a betrayal of everything we hold dear. Yet, in the depths of despair, there is a glimmer of hope—a hope for reconciliation, for unity, for a brighter tomorrow.

Together, hand in hand, let us demand an end to this cycle of destruction. Let us honor the legacy of our foremothers, the Kandakas, by embodying their resilience and courage. And let us dare to envision a Sudan where peace reigns supreme, where children can grow without fear, and where the dreams of generations past are finally realized.

For Sudan, for our children, for the generations yet to come—let us dare to dream of a better tomorrow. And let us believe that with the resilience of Sudanese women leading the way, our nation will never again face such darkness.

—Nusaibah Shatta, Fellowship Director, Havenly

Nusaibah Shatta is originally from Sudan and holds a bachelor’s degree in Science. She worked as an Arabic interpreter since 2016 at hospitals and public service settings, where she became passionate about working with refugees and immigrants, especially women. She has also volunteered with IRIS since 2016 as an Arabic interpreter. In Sudan, she volunteered to help women in crisis alongside various nonprofit organizations. She originally shared the above speech at Sudanese Women’s Resilience, 5/11/24, New Haven, CT.

Take action for Sudan:
Sign the “Speak Out on Sudan” Petition, which urges President Biden to mobilize international support for Sudanese civilians. Or Write to your elected officials, with the Sudan Action template here.

Donate to Sudanese humanitarian organizations:
Sudan Relief Fund, Sudanese-American Physicians’ Association (SAPA). Provides healthcare & hunger relief programs for those displaced within Sudan & refugees from Darfur who’ve fled to Chad.
Sandagaat, a community-based organization providing social services in Sudan.
Hadreen, a Sudanese NGO that provides orphan support, food, water & sanitation programs.

After 9 Years, Anthony Finds his Family

by Kris Tonski

When the Second Congo War broke out in the late 1990’s, Anthony was forced to flee his home city of Bukavu.

After more than three years of running from the Congo, through Zambia to the camps of Malawi and Mozambique, Anthony settled in South Africa, but felt a sadness, thinking his parents had passed away in the war.

“Trying to survive life was much better, having my own apartment and living a normal life. To be honest though, there was still great emptiness in not knowing where my family was,” Anthony said.

A miracle arose in a single picture that a Congolese friend carried with him. As Anthony glanced over his friend’s shoulder, he recognized a familiar face. The face of his own mother.

It had been nine years since seeing that face, since feeling a surge of heartwarming familiarity fill up the void he had long been burdened with. Anthony had finally found his family.

“I had tears of joy… I mean, it was like a miracle. For both of us, my family and myself.”

Simultaneously, anti-migrant violence was on the rise in South Africa. It was divine timing for Anthony to once again leave and reconnect with his family in the refugee camp in Malawi.

Over the course of eight years in Malawi, Anthony found love with the woman who played a pivotal role in reuniting his family, the woman pictured in the miraculous photo alongside his mother. Their marriage flourished, giving birth to their first two children, both Malawian boys.

In 2018, Anthony arrived by himself to the United States. Community felt scarce at first, especially having arrived in the Minnesota cold and without his wife and two sons by his side. He eagerly anticipated yet another reunion with loved ones. This time around, he only needed to wait two years. In December of 2019, just as the earliest trembles of the global pandemic were being felt, Anthony was reunited with his wife and sons. Better yet, the reunion came together within a community he has grown to increasingly love, in Hartford, Connecticut.

Today, as an IRIS Employment Services Specialist, Anthony finds jobs for newly arrived immigrants, who have escaped war and lost loved ones, similar to his own story. He continues to help refugees move ahead in their careers as they establish themselves.

“I tell people when they come here, dream big, because the bigger your dream, the bigger your achievements. We at IRIS continue to be involved in their lives, advising them, until they become independent.”

Afghan Physicians Start Over in Connecticut

by Kris Tonski

From completing medical school in 2020 to arriving in the United States in 2022, it has been a challenging journey for Dr. Shafiullah Faizee and his wife, Dr. Parwana Faizee, both professional physicians in their home country of Afghanistan.

“It is not a good feeling to have to start over after becoming highly educated and beginning a medical career in your home country. It is just awful. However, the situation in Afghanistan was becoming so uncertain that we were concerned about our lives and the safety and future of our young children,” Shafiullah says.

While in Afghanistan, Shafiullah and Parwana served war-torn communities in Afghanistan, especially in the rural regions of the country where medical care was very much needed. They trained local healthcare workers, empowering their community and its health services. They also conducted medical research to better understand and provide services to Afghans in these rural areas.

Because Shafiullah and Parwana were both employed in the medical field, they applied for and were granted Special Immigrant Visas to enter the United States. They arrived in Connecticut in October 2022.

Now, Dr. Shafiullah Faizee works for IRIS as a healthcare coordinator. He schedules health screenings and medical tests for newly arrived refugees who come to New Haven from all over the world. Because of his medical background and ability to speak many of the languages of these new arrivals, he is able to provide guidance and communicate the necessary information so that refugees of all ages can access the healthcare system.

Shafiullah and Parwana are continuing their educational journey as they diligently prepare for the United States Medical License Exam (USMLE) to be licensed physicians here. As immigrants, they feel the pain of separation from their home country and their families.

Shafiullah and Parwana know that with hardwork and dedication they will be successful and achieve their goals. “We will continue to pursue our dreams of working in the medical profession even though it will take longer to achieve,” Shafiullah says.

Leaning into Her Dreams

by Kris Tonski

“When I was in 9th grade, there was a bomb attack in front of my school. I remember at that time, I so badly wanted to help the victims. The bomb was inside a car, and there was a woman inside that car, who couldn’t be saved. I wish I had the capability or experience to help her.”

Since the days of bomb attacks near her school in Afghanistan, Aqsa* has harbored a deep-seated desire to support others, especially those in medical distress, a passion that has endured throughout her journey from being an IRIS client to her current role as a Data Reporting Specialist and soon-to-be nurse

Aqsa arrived in the U.S. from Afghanistan in January 2020, just before the pandemic brought global travel to a standstill. Despite being initially slated for 10th grade, Aqsa was determined not to regress academically. Within two weeks, her grades earned her a placement in 12th grade.

She navigated senior year challenges (online learning, college applications, pandemic-related restrictions, and adapting to new cultural norms), and graduated with a 4.0 GPA, with aspirations to attend Yale University. But with limited resources, she decided to take her time to fully integrate into American culture, and opted for Gateway Community College.

Drawing from familial anecdotes from both Afghanistan and beyond, Aqsa knew that she wanted to receive a nursing education in the U.S. As she grew up in Afghanistan, she witnessed many doctors accomplishing medical procedures with few resources.

“It’s incredible to witness surgeons performing procedures without anesthesia. That’s the kind of impactful work I aspire to do. Completing my education and gaining experience here in the States, then using that knowledge to assist those in conflict zones would fulfill my deepest dreams.”

In less than a year of settling into her new life in Connecticut, Aqsa was already extending a supportive hand to other young women— she co-lead IRIS’ Young Women’s Leadership Group and was an assistant teacher in IRIS’ Summer Learning program.

“When I was an assistant teacher in IRIS’ Summer Learning Program – which I did for two summers – someone got hurt one time, and I helped them with all the knowledge I now have from receiving an education in the States thus far. This made me overjoyed. Now I’m at an age with sufficient experience where I don’t feel that I have to simply walk away.”

Aqsa has forged profound connections with IRIS employees, which have had an everlasting impact on her journey as a caregiver. Within just five months of her arrival, an IRIS employee offered her the opportunities to work as a translator for the organization and further cultivate meaningful relationships.

“I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my community, particularly individuals like Laurel. Despite my initial concerns about my English proficiency upon arriving in the States, Laurel recognized my potential and invited me to join IRIS. Her encouragement and belief in my abilities motivated me to become a translator and co-leader for the young women’s group. I am indebted to her for seeing qualities in me that I had not yet recognized.”

A resilient mindset nurtured within her IRIS community has molded Aqsa into the accomplished woman and aspiring nursing student she is today. Whether she finds herself in the U.S. or a war-torn country, the fusion of Afghan and American cultures has emphasized the profound significance of human connection and community.

“In my home country, we like to say that you’re not just a doctor of one thing, but of many different things and for all people. I will be sure to continue bringing forward that mindset as a nurse here in the States – wherever I go.”

Aqsa wholeheartedly believes that by nurturing community, she walks toward her dreams, and being amongst community, she lives out those dreams.”

*Name has been altered for privacy.