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International Institute of Rhode Island's mission is to enable all area residents, especially immigrants and refugees, to become self-reliant, invested participants in our communities, while fostering respect and understanding among all people.

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December 7, 2006

new refugee arrivals eager to enter rhode island's workforce

IIRI’s Refugee Employment Program assists clients and provides the business community with a motivated, more diverse workforce.

It takes two buses for Mateneh Bility to get to her job at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel each day. It takes two more buses for her to get home to take care of her two children. This may sound like a big effort to many but Mateneh went through much more than this to get to where she is today. Arriving in the U.S. one year ago from Liberia, Mateneh was unemployed, illiterate, and spoke very little English, yet she brought two very important ideals with her - an amazing hope and an overwhelming motivation to succeed in her new life.

IIRI's Refugee Employment Program has been assisting new arrivals, like Mateneh and her family, and serving Rhode Island's business community by providing highly motivated employees since 1980. While backgrounds vary dramatically, refugees share a willingness to work hard, perhaps based on the fact that only 1% of the 12 million refugees worldwide ever get the opportunity to resettle in another country.

To read the full article on IIRI's Refugee Employment Services Program in the Fall 2006 Newsletter, please click here

Mateneh Bility, full time worker, mother of two, rides 4 buses a day, and grateful to be a Rhode Islander.

Lynne Nelson, with her CNA clients, Consolata Nyiraminani and her daughters, Viviane Uwayo and Liliane Mukantwali at Viviane's graduation from her CNA Program. Consolata and Liliane both have their State License and work full-time. Viviane is currently looking for a full-time job with the help of Lynne.