International Institute of Wisconsin

From setting up the venue, selling snacks and refreshments, to working the stands, designing interactive maps, choreographing youth dance ensembles, recruiting volunteers, assisting vendors, and even performing, the Holiday Folk Fair is truly a labor of love! A huge thank you to the incredible International Institute of Wisconsin staff for their dedication and hard work in bringing this event to life. Your passion and teamwork make it all possible. And, of course, thank you to all the volunteers, performers and vendors who contribute to the success of this cherished celebration of culture and community. #holidayfolkfair

What an incredible start to the Holiday Folk Fair! ?? We’re so grateful to everyone who stopped by our booth to learn about our programs and explore ways to get involved. We loved meeting all the students, teachers and chaperones during the Education Day! A heartfelt shoutout to our amazing staff and volunteers for their hard work and enthusiasm—it’s because of you that the first day was such a resounding success! Looking forward to more connections and celebrations throughout the event. #folkfair

???? Did you know that the International Institute of Wisconsin has been organizing the Holiday Folk Fair since 1944? That's almost as long as the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) has been around! If you're planning to attend this year, we’d love to connect with you at our booth, located near the Children's Area. Come learn more about #CitizenDiplomacy and discover exciting ways to get involved with our initiatives in 2025. We’re passionate about building global connections, and we’d be thrilled to have you join us in this important work. See you at the fair! ???? #HolidayFolkFair #GlobalConnections #IVLP

When our partners in DC requested a workshop on storytelling and social media for a group of NGO leaders, we knew exactly who to turn to: Jeffrey M. from HashtagMKE. With extensive experience leading sessions for the U.S. Department of State's #IVLP programs in Wisconsin, JMatt is a local social media coach and an experienced content creator. The workshop was a dynamic, hands-on session focused on optimizing social media strategies for NGOs. The group discussed best practices, platform-specific tips, content creation, and using analytics to measure success. A huge thank you to JMatt for leading this workshop and helping empower local NGOs in Latin America and Africa to elevate their social media presence! ???? International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) FHI 360

??Flashback Friday?? Today we look back on the #IVLP project, Countering Violent Extremism, where participants engaged in a roundtable discussion at The Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition. Here, the visitors were given the space to ask questions relating to the interfaith dialogue in Milwaukee, the US, and issues that affect the Muslim community. We want to give a big thank you to Executive Director, Janan Najeeb, for taking the time to lead the discussion and Rais Bhuiyan, the executive producer and subject of a documentary called “Pain and Peace,” featured at the Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival, for making a special appearance for the discussion. MMWC works with the broader community to foster interfaith work and mutual understanding. Through these efforts, Ms. Najeeb demonstrates the power of unity, urging us all to remember that "We are one society. We all need to work together." International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Meridian International Center

Did you know 85% of Wisconsin’s nonprofits are located within 60 miles of Milwaukee? ?? Recently, our #IVLP participants met with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Helen Bader Institute where they learned the nonprofit sector’s vital role in driving our state and national economy and the ways different nonprofits measure their impact ??. A big thank you to Director, Dr. Doug Ihrke ?? and Assistant Director, Bryce Lord ?? for such an informative deep dive into our state’s non-profit sector. #communityengagement ?? #IVLP International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) FHI 360

This week our international visitors volunteered to experience firsthand how the Kinship Community Food Center (A Community of Generosity) fosters community and belonging through food and meal sharing. The center was filled with vibrant energy as shoppers, volunteers, and staff mingled to select groceries and share a warm meal. Thank you Travis Sternhagen and all Kinship staff who took the time to speak?with us and share how you all come together?to make it possible! #volunteerism #communityengagement #IVLP #foodinsecurity International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) FHI 360

What an inspiring meeting at United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha ??, where NGO leaders came together to explore the critical role of civic engagement in driving community impact! ??? As Dan Herda, Director of Communications at United Way, aptly put it: “The biggest strength of United Way is bringing people together.” ?? It’s this spirit of collaboration that makes U.S. Department of State's IVLP professional exchanges like this so impactful. ???? A heartfelt thank you to Jeremy Simon, Director of Public Policy, and Karissa Gretebeck, Manager of Volunteer Engagement, along with the entire United Way team ??, for creating such a valuable platform for exchange and learning. Your ongoing commitment to building stronger, more connected communities is truly inspiring! ???? International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) FHI 360

?? Exciting discussions on volunteerism in civil society! Today our IVLP participants had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Stephanie Maney and her team at City Year Milwaukee. They also engaged with dedicated young volunteers serving as AmeriCorps members on local school teams. Their inspiring motto, "We must never lose the human aspect of what we are doing," resonates deeply as we explore the impact of service in our communities. #Volunteerism #CommunityEngagement #AmeriCorps #IVLP International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) FHI 360

What an interesting time to visit the United States ???? with elections just days away! Last Friday, nine NGO leaders from Latin America and Equatorial Guinea engaged in a powerful exchange with WISCONSIN VOICES, INC., an organization deeply committed to amplifying community-driven civic engagement and supporting underrepresented voices. Our participants gained insights into coalition-building, voter mobilization, and ways to enhance civic participation in their own communities. Huge thanks to Tomika Vukovic and her team for welcoming us and sharing strategies to drive meaningful change! International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) FHI 360