Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
FY2023 program successes include:
• We served 4,533 total New Americans in FY2023, an increase of 38% from FY2022. All program areas
experienced increased enrollments.
• 303 refugees were resettled in our community and attained self-sufficiency within 90 days of arrival.
• 72 unaccompanied youths and their families were provided with case management support.
• 18 trafficking survivors were provided with case management support.
• 94% of clients applying to naturalize as a U.S. citizen with IIMN services are successful, which is higher
than the 91% rate of peer organizations nationwide. Our case managers helped save applicants
$345,405 through fee waivers, thereby reducing cost barriers to U.S. citizenship.
• 414 New Americans were placed into their first jobs in the U.S., or advanced into a family-sustaining
job.
• Medical Career Pathway graduates experienced an 82% raise in hourly wages between their program
enrollment and their job placement/upgrade post-graduation.
• Professional Leadership Program graduates experienced an average wage increase of 30% with an
average wage of $30.86.
Current Goals
FY2024 goals include:
(1) We will resettle 670 newly-arrived refugees and provide support to ensure that they attain self-sufficiency within 90 days of their arrival.
(2) We will continue to expand our workforce training and job placement programs to support more New Americans to participate in the workforce, including: (a) expanding the capacity of the Nursing Assistant Training program to support up to 66 more students each year, and (b) Launching the Entrepreneurship Training Program to support New Americans in attaining economic independence through self-employment.
(3) We will provide high-quality legal and support services to 1,300 lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to apply for U.S. citizenship.
Community or Constituency Served
The Institute serves 4,500 people from over 100 countries each year including refugees, asylees, unaccompanied children, and foreign-born survivors of human trafficking. The vast majority of its clients live in low-income households; however, all clients struggle to overcome many barriers in a new country. Most are English language learners who are unfamiliar with American culture. Some clients resettled by the Institute had lived in refugee camps for an average of 18 years with little or no access to education, healthcare, or employment opportunities.
For its newly-arrived clients, the Institute creates a foundation for their resettlement and transition. Case managers are experienced in working with immigrants as they navigate U.S. systems for the first time; they assist clients to obtain housing, secure employment, register children for school, access public benefits, and learn to navigate the healthcare system. Many staff members are from the same ethnic communities as the clients and have experienced the challenge of adjusting to life in Minnesota. They provide services in the clients' native languages with compassion, care, and professionalism.
Through the lnstitute's integrated continuum of programming, clients can also seek naturalization application assistance from Immigration Services, or enroll in the three career pathways to obtain employment training and education for long-term economic prosperity. The lnstitute's English for Work program also offers free English language instruction for adults.
Finally, the lnstitute's volunteers also provide friendship and support to newly-arrived refugees and other immigrants to their Minnesota community. Volunteers work with clients to help them learn the public transit system, practice English, and explore community resources.
Geographic Area Served
We primarily serve the Twin Cities Metro area with the majority of clients residing in Ramsey and Hennepin counties.
