Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants

This Thanksgiving, we’re especially thankful for the joy and opportunity your support brings to the families we serve. Recently, the children of CIRI had an unforgettable experience with our Explorers Club at Plasko’s Farm and Creamery. From hayrides to winding through the corn maze, the day was filled with laughter, discovery, and seasonal fun. They enjoyed sweet treats like apple cider donuts, ice cream, and fresh cider, and each child proudly picked their own pumpkin to take home. These moments go far beyond just having fun. Outings like these spark a sense of wonder, create lasting memories, and provide children with the opportunity to feel included and inspired. Experiences like this are possible because of the generosity of supporters like you. As we enter this season of gratitude, we reflect on how thankful we are for the community that surrounds and uplifts CIRI’s mission. Your support enables us to provide opportunities like the Explorers Club while also addressing critical needs such as housing, education, and employment for immigrant and refugee families in Connecticut. The journey, however, is ongoing. The need for support continues to grow, and your contributions are essential to sustaining and expanding the impact we can make together. This Thanksgiving season, as we express our gratitude, we invite you to help us ensure that every child and family we serve has the chance to grow, belong, and succeed. Thank you for being an essential part of the CIRI family. Click here to make a donation and make a difference: https://cirict.org/donate/

CIRI is thrilled to participate in the Connecticut Gives Contest by Hearst Media! 🗳️ With your help, we could win a $10,000 advertising grant to expand our communication and marketing efforts in 2025. This grant will help us reach more people in need and amplify awareness about the essential services we provide to refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking across Connecticut. Your vote matters! By participating, you’ll help us continue to share stories of hope and transformation, while ensuring more families know where to turn for the support they need. Here’s how you can help CIRI: Cast Your Vote: Vote for CIRI once per day, per device, now through December 20. It only takes a moment to enter your name and email. Share the Link: Encourage friends, family, and your network to vote. Every vote brings us closer to securing this grant. Let’s work together to make this opportunity count! Thank you for your support. Click here to cast your vote: https://lnkd.in/e6udFqcp

In 2021, Rafi and his family of nine arrived in the U.S., navigating uncertainty after fleeing everything they knew. Landing at a military base in New Jersey with 10,000 other refugees, they faced an uphill journey—but everything changed when they connected with CIRI. CIRI welcomed Rafi’s family with warmth, guidance, and the resources they needed to start anew. From temporary shelter to benefit enrollment, CIRI stood by their side, helping them rebuild their lives step by step. The journey wasn’t easy—five months in a hotel before securing housing—but with resilience and support, Rafi’s family found stability and hope. Now, Rafi has come full circle. Working as a CIRI case manager, he’s inspired to provide the same care and compassion that once transformed his life. Your support makes stories like Rafi’s possible. Together, we can uplift more families and help every newcomer thrive. Visit cirict.org/donate to join us.

Thank you, Grace Farms Foundation! We are so appreciative of everything you do for our organization.

Yesterday, we stood together on the steps of the Capitol in Hartford with a powerful gathering of advocates, faith leaders, community organizations, and local officials. The turnout was inspiring, with over 100 people uniting to show a shared commitment to protecting and uplifting immigrants and refugees in Connecticut. The voices of support rang strong and clear, from mayors of Stamford, Norwalk, and Hartford to the Connecticut State Attorney General, who affirmed the state’s dedication to ensuring safety and opportunity for all who call Connecticut home. Our own CIRI team member, Azhar, shared heartfelt words that reminded everyone of the strength and impact that immigrants and refugees bring to our communities. This gathering highlighted the power of unity and the shared belief that everyone deserves to live with dignity and hope. As we continue to face an evolving landscape, we are grateful to see so many allies standing beside us, ready to protect and support those who need it most. Together We Thrive, and it’s this collective effort that makes lasting change possible. Join us in this mission—together, we can ensure that Connecticut remains a welcoming place for all. Every act of support matters and helps transform lives. If you’re inspired to make a difference, visit cirict.org/donate.

Yahya arrived in Connecticut after leaving everything behind in Afghanistan—his family, friends, and dreams. The transition was overwhelming, but CIRI met him with compassion and crucial support to navigate the complexities of resettlement. Despite the challenges, Yahya found hope and stability through CIRI, from guiding him with his asylum application to helping him focus on his education without the weight of legal worries. Even when he moved to New York City to continue his studies, CIRI remained a steady lifeline, providing the resources and advocacy that transformed his journey. His story is a powerful reminderto the resilience of our clients and the life-changing impact of community support. Help us continue empowering individuals like Yahya. Visit cirict.org/donate to make a difference.

Bašić's journey from Montenegro to the U.S. was marked by perseverance and hope. Facing language barriers and complex processes, she leaned on her family and the support of CIRI. With the steady encouragement of her daughter-in-law, Grisha, and the guidance of CIRI’s Legal Services team, Bašić overcame numerous obstacles. Last month, she proudly became a U.S. citizen—a moment filled with relief and gratitude. Her story highlights the resilience of our clients and the essential role CIRI plays in transforming lives. Your support makes these journeys possible, empowering individuals to achieve their dreams and contribute to a thriving, inclusive society. To help more people like Bašić, please consider donating at cirict.org/donate.

Join CIRI in embracing resilience and support as we stand by our clients through every challenge. Together We Thrive reflects our commitment to uplifting immigrants and refugees, creating strength through unity. Your contribution helps provide vital resources, support families, and build thriving communities across #Connecticut. This journey is made possible by the support of people like you. CIRI welcomed over 700 new clients this year, offering vital support such as employment, education, housing, English language learning, and healthcare. Your contributions have transformed stories of hardship into journeys of hope, from securing jobs to achieving citizenship and reuniting families. Next year, we aim to serve over 5,000 clients, expanding services and empowering individuals to shape their futures. Thank you for your ongoing support, which nurtures resilience and inspires our communities to welcome newcomers with open hearts. Together We Thrive because of you. Stand with us. Visit cirict.org/donate to donate.

Today, we remain deeply committed to serving immigrants and refugees with the same dedication and strength that have guided us for over a century. Our mission remains strong, and our commitment to those we serve continues. CIRI has always responded with care and compassion, adapting to provide the comprehensive support our clients need, even as circumstances change around us. The well-being of those we serve remains our priority, and we will continue to walk alongside them, empowering them to build fulfilling lives. We've been heartened by the outpouring of support we've received from our allies, volunteers, and partners, whose belief in our mission inspires us to keep moving forward. Together, we are a resilient community that values hope, strength, and the pursuit of a brighter future. We thank all of our supporters, who help us stay strong and focused on our important work. We are in this together, and our commitment to uplifting those we serve has never been stronger.

A Day to Make a Difference! 🗳️ Today, your vote carries real meaning—it’s a way to support compassion, opportunity, and access to resources. Voting helps strengthen the systems that empower organizations like CIRI to continue vital work for refugees, immigrants, and survivors of trauma, helping individuals find stability and rebuild with dignity. At CIRI, we witness every day how opportunities in education, employment, and community connection open doors for those starting anew. Each story reflects the impact of supportive policies and a welcoming community. By voting today, you’re helping to keep these stories moving forward. Thank you for standing with us—through your vote, your voice, and your commitment to our mission. Together, we can help build a future where everyone has a fair chance to thrive.