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SPOTLIGHT ON

International Institute of Connecticut

Evidence of Bridgeport’s significant immigrant and refugee population can be found in the city’s schools, where 67 different languages are spoken. But beyond the obvious communication struggles many of Bridgeport’s immigrants and refugees face are day-to-day challenges that are not as visible.

“There are cultural nuances that people don’t think of, the newness and strangeness of life,” said Myra Oliver, former executive director of the International Institute of Connecticut, a nonprofit dedicated to the settlement and needs of immigrants, refugees and asylees.

The Institute assists 7,500 people each year (including 4,500 in Bridgeport), providing refugee resettlement services, court representation, citizenship classes, job training and ESL classes.

Using a Charter Oak grant, the Institute created a program that will educate Bridgeport’s junior high and high school immigrant students about pertinent issues.