Business Details
42 Years
experience
Refugee and Immigrant Support Services in Connecticut
Interfaith Refugee Ministry, established in 1984, has dedicated over four decades to welcoming and empowering refugees and immigrants across Connecticut and the United States. Our mission centers on resettling the world's most vulnerable individuals, offering comprehensive support through case management, legal services, employment assistance, education programs, and healthcare navigation. With a multilingual team comprising former refugees and asylees, we provide culturally attuned guidance to help newcomers achieve self-sufficiency. Despite recent federal policy challenges that temporarily halted refugee resettlement, we remain committed to advocating for immigrant rights, expanding English language learning initiatives, and strengthening partnerships with workforce boards and community organizations.Our 40-year track record demonstrates unwavering dedication to humanitarian principles, evidenced by successful resettlement of thousands of individuals and ongoing adaptation to evolving immigration landscapes while maintaining strict compliance with federal regulations and ethical standards.
Services
Refugee Resettlement
Legal Services
Employment Assistance
Housing Support
Healthcare Navigation
Education Programs
Case Management
Food Pantry
Community Sponsorship
Immigration Counseling
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of experience in refugee resettlement and immigrant support services
- Our multilingual team includes former refugees and asylees with firsthand cultural understanding
- We provide comprehensive case management covering housing, employment, and healthcare needs
- We maintain strategic partnerships with workforce boards and community organizations statewide
- Our legal services team offers expert guidance on immigration status and citizenship processes
What people say
Life-changing support
Caring staff
Effective resettlement
Cultural understanding
Comprehensive assistance
Services
Refugee Resettlement
Interfaith Refugee Ministry provides comprehensive refugee resettlement services including housing placement, cultural orientation, and access to essential resources. Our team coordinates airport reception, furnishes living spaces, and facilitates school enrollment for children. We maintain strict compliance with federal regulations while ensuring newcomers receive personalized support during their critical first months in the United States.
Legal Services
Our accredited legal professionals offer expert guidance on immigration status adjustments, asylum applications, and citizenship processes. Services include document preparation, court representation, and family reunification assistance. We maintain partnerships with immigration attorneys to ensure clients receive comprehensive legal support tailored to their specific circumstances and federal requirements.
Employment Assistance
Interfaith Refugee Ministry delivers targeted employment services including skills assessment, resume development, and job placement. Our workforce development programs align with regional labor market demands, focusing on healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors. We provide ongoing support to help immigrants secure living-wage employment and advance their careers through vocational training partnerships.
Community Sponsorship
Our community sponsorship initiative mobilizes local volunteers to support refugee families through housing, cultural orientation, and social integration. Trained sponsor groups receive structured guidance to help newcomers navigate healthcare systems, educational institutions, and transportation networks. This program fosters meaningful cross-cultural connections while promoting long-term community integration.
English Language Learning
Interfaith Refugee Ministry offers specialized English language courses designed for adult immigrants, focusing on practical communication skills for workplace and daily life contexts. Our curriculum integrates workforce development components to enhance job market competitiveness. Classes are available at multiple proficiency levels with flexible scheduling to accommodate working adults seeking professional advancement.
People
Maggie Mitchell Salem
Executive Director
With nearly 30 years of leadership in humanitarian organizations, Maggie brings extensive experience in refugee advocacy and international development. Her career includes roles at Global Refuge and the National Democratic Institute, focusing on forced displacement and civic education programs.
Michelle Hopson
Senior Director of Finance, People & IT
Michelle offers 16 years of nonprofit financial leadership, specializing in organizational growth and cross-departmental strategy. A multilingual expert in nonprofit systems, she previously served as finance director for international development organizations managing budgets up to $100 million.
Tanya Kimball
Senior Director of Programs
Tanya oversees program implementation with expertise in refugee integration and community development. She has managed resettlement operations and coordinated service delivery across multiple states, focusing on employment pathways and healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
Katy Lawder
Director of Community Engagement
Katy specializes in community partnership development and volunteer coordination. She leads initiatives connecting local sponsors with refugee families, creating structured support networks that enhance integration outcomes through sustained community relationships.
Daniel Pflueger
Associate Director of Resettlement Services
Daniel manages resettlement operations with expertise in housing placement and initial reception services. He coordinates logistics for refugee arrivals and ensures compliance with federal resettlement standards while maintaining quality service delivery.
Questions
What services does IRIS provide for refugees?
IRIS offers resettlement assistance, legal services, employment training, housing support, healthcare navigation, English language classes, and community integration programs tailored to refugees' needs.
How can I request help from IRIS?
Contact us through our New Haven office or website to schedule an intake appointment. Our staff will assess your needs and connect you with appropriate services based on immigration status.
Does IRIS help with immigration paperwork?
Yes, our accredited legal team provides assistance with asylum applications, status adjustments, family reunification petitions, and citizenship processes under federal guidelines.
Can I volunteer with refugee resettlement?
Yes, we offer volunteer opportunities through our community sponsorship program. Complete our online application to join a sponsor group supporting refugee families.
How has IRIS adapted to recent policy changes?
We've shifted focus to domestic immigrant support, expanded English language programs, and strengthened local partnerships while maintaining advocacy efforts for refugee rights.
What areas does IRIS serve?
IRIS primarily serves New Haven, Hartford, and New London counties in Connecticut, with outreach extending to statewide community partners and sponsors.
