Celebrating 100 Years of Welcome
This year marks the centennial anniversary of IINE’s Boston, Massachusetts office. Over the century, the Boston office has expanded to support more than 3,000 individuals from all around the world every year—many of whom have fled persecution, war, famine, and climate disasters. Our programs, which span resettlement, adult education, workforce development, pathways to citizenship and much more, help immigrants find safety and a fresh start in Greater Boston.
Life-changing support to refugees and immigrants in Greater Boston
February 1, 2024 marks 100 years since the International Institute of Boston first opened its doors with a simple but radical idea: to welcome and support people from all around the world and to celebrate the diverse heritages they bring with them.
From the start, the mission of the International Institutes was to uphold the value of a pluralistic culture based on immigrant integration—the belief that the unique cultures and customs of new community members should be preserved—rather than assimilation or “Americanization”—the belief that new community members should conform to the majority culture. That belief continues to guide our work today.
Looking back and ahead
IINE’s work of welcoming newcomers into the Commonwealth, while valuing and preserving their unique cultural contributions, is integral to the city’s growth, success, and identity as a city of belonging. Providing refugees and immigrants with a strong foundation of support means new arrivals have the opportunity to integrate into our communities, achieve self-sufficiency, and meaningfully contribute to Boston’s culture and economy.
IINE Boston marks its centennial with a year-long celebration with several upcoming events and a new series exploring its history and Boston as a city of immigrants, “100 Years of Welcome: Commemorating IINE’s Boston Centennial.”
Events throughout the year include an Immigrant Heritage Month celebration in partnership with the City of Boston, an interactive “Centennial Walk” journeying through 100 years of service, and the Golden Door Award Gala in 2025, a time-honored celebration which will for the first-time honor IINE itself for its contribution to American society and to shaping Boston’s vibrant diversity.