BUILDING ENGAGED COMMUNITIES FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS

105 years of strengthening the lives of refugees, immigrants, survivors of trafficking and torture, and unaccompanied minors

BUILDING ENGAGED COMMUNITIES FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS

105 years of strengthening the lives of refugees, immigrants, survivors of trafficking and torture, and unaccompanied minors

CIRI provides legal, economic, linguistic, and social services to immigrants, refugees, survivors of human trafficking and torture, and unaccompanied minors throughout Connecticut.

Our supporters are committed to empowering newcomers to thrive in Connecticut. Your time, talent, and financial contribution are invaluable to our mission.

Find information about upcoming fundraisers, events, and speaking engagements throughout Connecticut that support CIRI’s mission.

CIRI’s media room provides an overview of our work, statements and press releases, blog posts, financials, as well as more to inform your article, event or research.

WHO WE ARE

CIRI provides legal, economic, linguistic, and social services to immigrants, refugees, survivors of human trafficking and torture, and unaccompanied minors throughout Connecticut.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Our supporters are committed to empowering new Americans to thrive in Connecticut. Your time, talent, and financial contribution are invaluable to our mission.

Find information about upcoming fundraisers, events, and speaking engagements throughout Connecticut that support CIRI’s mission.

CIRI’s media room provides an overview of our work, statements and press releases, blog posts, financials, as well as more to inform your article, event or research.

STAY INFORMED

Name

Stay up-to-date on upcoming events, news, and volunteer opportunities with CIRI.

STRENGTHENING LIVES.  MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

We believe in a just world that is boldly inclusive, peaceful and welcoming of all.

At the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI), the clients we serve come from more than 90 countries, each with an individual journey and hope for a future filled with promise. Since 1918, CIRI has built a legacy of leadership, compassionate service, and effective advocacy for immigrants, refugees, survivors of human trafficking and torture, and unaccompanied minors.

0
CIRI assists close to 700 refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking and torture in 2021 to rebuild their lives and to become self-sufficient, integrated, and contributing members of our Connecticut communities.
0
CIRI provides affordable, professional immigration legal services to more than 2,200 immigrants and their families across the state in 2021.
0
More than 670 volunteers, mentors, and pro bono attorneys collectively worked over 11,000 hours in 2019, making a significant difference in the lives of CIRI’s clients.

Thomas fled his home of Democratic Republic of Congo after being imprisoned, tortured, and losing his wife. 

Thomas ended up at the Tongogara refugee camp in Zimbabwe where he met his second wife and where his two daughters were born. The family spent seven years in the camp until they were approved for resettlement in Connecticut. CIRI found them a home and helped them meet their basic needs. We facilitated Thomas’ access to English classes and employment opportunities; we connected his daughters to peer mentoring, the Girls’ Club and the Refugee Summer Academy. Our Immigration Legal Services helped them get their green cards and apply for citizenship. This fall, Thomas proudly took the oath of citizenship, finally becoming an American citizen.

Thomas Kitoko, Refugee from Democratic Republic of Congo
Father, grandfather, and proud American citizen

Thomas fled his home of Democratic Republic of Congo after being imprisoned, tortured, and losing his wife. 

Thomas ended up at the Tongogara refugee camp in Zimbabwe where he met his second wife and where his two daughters were born. The family spent seven years in the camp until they were approved for resettlement in Connecticut. CIRI found them a home and helped them meet their basic needs. We facilitated Thomas’ access to English classes and employment opportunities; we connected his daughters to peer mentoring, the Girls’ Club and the Refugee Summer Academy. Our Immigration Legal Services helped them get their green cards and apply for citizenship. This fall, Thomas proudly took the oath of citizenship, finally becoming an American citizen.

Thomas Kitoko, Refugee from Democratic Republic of Congo
Father, grandfather, and proud American citizen

HOW WE HELP

CIRI provides a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social, and educational programming for refugees, immigrants, survivors of human trafficking and torture, and unaccompanied minors.

Serving survivors of human trafficking and unaccompanied minors within Connecticut through comprehensive case management, advocacy, immigration legal aid, and referrals to community service providers.

Helping refugees to rebuild their lives in America by providing supportive services up to five years after arrival in the United States.

Providing affordable legal assistance to immigrants and their families across the state of Connecticut at offices in Bridgeport, Stamford, Waterbury, and Hartford.

Building the economic independence and security of refugee clients through workforce readiness and job placement services, as well as financial literacy education.

Providing reliable translation services in multiple languages for individuals, government agencies, and corporations.

Adebola sought asylum in the United States after suffering persecution in her home country of Nigeria.

Adebola suffered past persecution in the form of female genital mutilation as a teenager in her home country of Nigeria. She was later married and unable to have children. After a divorce, her father tried to force another marriage on her. Instead, she fled to the United States. Adebola was finally granted asylum this September after a 5 year wait. She currently works two full time jobs in the medical field as an LPN and Supervisor because of the joy it brings her to help others in need.

Adebola, Nigeria
Mother, grandmother, and proud American citizen

Adebola sought asylum in the United States after suffering persecution in her home country of Nigeria.

Adebola suffered past persecution in the form of female genital mutilation as a teenager in her home country of Nigeria. She was later married and unable to have children. After a divorce, her father tried to force another marriage on her. Instead, she fled to the United States. Adebola was finally granted asylum this September after a 5 year wait. She currently works two full time jobs in the medical field as an LPN and Supervisor because of the joy it brings her to help others in need.

Adebola, Nigeria
Mother, grandmother, and proud American citizen

NEWS & MEDIA