Jersey City Community Food Drive Benefit Show

Help Us, Help Others

While poverty rates in Hudson County have continued to show a decrease from 1998 to 2003, it also appears to have the highest rate of child poverty. According to the 2003 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates of the U.S. Census Bureau, Hudson County holds a rate of 21.3 in child poverty (http://www.lsnj.org/PDFs/PovertyResearchInstitute/NJDataPortraitofPoverty.pdf). On December 11, 2007, Americorps members under the International Institute of New Jersey, artists, and community members will come together in honor of the spirit of giving and hold a Food Drive Benefit Show at St. Joseph's Parish located at 511 Pavonia Avenue.

Various performances will include known local artists such as the following poets Paradise, Shadokat, Heather Aletha, Yomik, singers Zulma, Melvin C., and Bioluminescence, and Hip Hop emcees Silent Knight (Elementality/Rawkus Records) and Venemous. Though the event is free, you must donate a minimum of 2 canned goods to enter and be a part of an amazing show.

How will you celebrate the spirit of giving this Holiday season?

Contact msansait@iinj.org for more information.

The History of IINJ

Since 1918, the International Institute of New Jersey (the Institute) has been the gateway of resettlement for hundreds of thousands of immigrants arriving in America, first as a YWCA program and as an independent non-profit organization after 1938. While the complexions, accents, and native languages may differ from their predecessors, today's newcomers face challenges that are as compelling as ever. As it has for 88 years, the Institute opens a new world of possibilities for immigrants through an array of programs. It does so by responding to the full range of resettlement needs, including legal assistance on immigration and citizenship matters, english instruction, interpreting and translation, employment training, and individual and family counseling.

The Institute also provides an array of services to immigrants and refugees through its Refugee School-Based Services, and Survivors of Torture. Free or low cost and confidential, all programs aim to accelerate each new immigrant's journey to self-sufficiency. In addition to helping immigrants navigate the conventions of American life, the Institute conducts conferences and trainings that bring new information about immigrants to leaders in various industry sectors, such as corporations, health care, government, law enforcement, education, and social services. The Institute also advocates for public policies that ensure the fair and equitable treatment of immigrants and refugees. To achieve these goals it is one of the 42 affiliates of US Committee for Immigrants and Refugees (USCRI), the largest, non-sectarian, immigrant service network. A highly trained staff, many immigrants themselves, who collectively speak more than a dozen languages, provide these quality services to over 15,000 clients each year. The Institute's staff, board, and constituents believe that immigration is a key engine of the American economy and an inspiration for the American way of life.