International Institute of Los Angeles

June 20th is World Refugee Day — a day to honor those who have survived war, persecution, and unimaginable loss. 🌍

This year, a new crisis is unfolding. Because of H.R. 1, refugees in California have been losing food stamp access since April 1. At IILA, we are seeing parents who escaped violence now worried about how to feed their children.

No one who has fled for their life should ever wonder where their next meal will come from.

A gift of just $45 can provide a food voucher — one week of fresh produce for a family of three, or basic ingredients for a family of four to make nourishing dinners.

This World Refugee Day, will you stand with our refugee neighbors and make sure they are not forgotten? 💙

Donate here: https://webforms.eleoonline.com/FormDatas/244/56b14d4e-fc33-4668-aeb7-1b191987486f

Join IILA's Supportive Services team at the Kick It In the Park watch party at Lanark Park this Sat, June 20th! We'll have a resource table to share information about home water and heating electrification advantages and affordability options. Enjoy the game, the atmosphere, and connect to community resources!

Lanark Recreation Center Councilmember Bob Blumenfield

This week, we highlight the memory of an IILA Case Manager who witnessed the transformation of "Sara", a young girl who struggled with her initial adjustment after being separated from most of her family. We celebrate her resilience and our team who helped make her flourishing possible.

We also remember and uplift all young people around the world who have experienced hardship and family separation as we approach World Refugee Day on June 20th. We honor in particular the young people being separated from family right here in the United States. May we work together for their reunification and an end to family separation.

As the current administration continues policies and practices that hinder the well-being of immigrant children, we're sharing this important summarizing article from Amica Center for Immigrant Rights . Read the full briefing report at https://amicacenter.org/our-cases/the-trump-administrations-attack-on-immigrant-children/

With each staff memory of a life changed we share this month, we also honor and uplift the lives of those who are not able to receive these transformative services. We remember especially those currently held in detention or awaiting entry to the U.S. as a refugee or asylum seeker.

IILA's Immigration Legal Services Division is here to support you. Contact us today especially if you need help with citizenship, applying for a green card, a DACA renewal, or if you are an unaccompanied minor. We can currently accept new cases for these forms of relief. Call 323-264-6217 or fill out a confidential intake form at https://iilosangeles.org/service/legal-services/

This month, we're highlighting the reflections of IILA staff on the importance of their work with the immigrant community. Some will share memorable moments. Others will honor the impact they've made in general.

As we celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, we offer each of these reflections as small acts of resistance as the immigrant community continues to be vilified, scapegoated, and persecuted. We'll share these reflections alongside the regular opportunities for action and key headlines that we reshare and publish. Stay tuned for more.