International Institute Of Metropolitan St Louis

The International Institute of St. Louis provides opportunities for immigrants and refugees to thrive in order to create a welcoming, prosperous, and healthy region for all. The International Institute of St. Louis has welcomed immigrants and refugees from around the world for more than a century. The Institute opened its doors in 1919, with 8 employees who spoke 15 languages and provided services in three-story house on South Broadway. The organization first served dozens of refugees displaced by World War I. These individuals arrived mainly from Eastern Europe and were looking to escape the conflict taking place across the continent. Today, the Institute provides integration servic... read more The International Institute of St. Louis provides opportunities for immigrants and refugees to thrive in order to create a welcoming, prosperous, and healthy region for all. The International Institute of St. Louis has welcomed immigrants and refugees from around the world for more than a century. The Institute opened its doors in 1919, with 8 employees who spoke 15 languages and provided services in three-story house on South Broadway. The organization first served dozens of refugees displaced by World War I. These individuals arrived mainly from Eastern Europe and were looking to escape the conflict taking place across the continent. Today, the Institute provides integration services to more than 4,000 foreign born people from more than 80 different countries. Nearly 1,000 volunteers and over 100 staff members provide programming for immigrants and refugees. The International Institute provides holistic programs to help new arrivals get the wrap around services they need to be successful in their new communities. These services include job placement, financial literacy, English language classes, small business loans, housing assistance and more. While the services and number of clients has expanded, the commitment to making St. Louis an inclusive, diverse, welcoming, and prosperous region for all, remains the same. In addition to providing services to clients, the International Institute advocates for the importance of new arrivals and creating a welcoming St. Louis. This advocacy includes working with the state legislation to eliminate harmful bills that would hinder immigration or unfairly target new arrivals. The International Institute also works to highlight our region's diversity through signature events such as the Festival of Nations and World Refugee Day.