International Institute of New England
Yusuf Abdi possesses extensive experience in career services and client support, currently serving as the Career Services Manager at the International Institute of New England since January 2014. In this role, Yusuf Abdi manages employer partnerships and develops individual employment plans for clients in collaboration with case management staff. Prior positions include Employment Specialist, where responsibilities included client intake, job search assistance, and advocacy during interviews, and Computer Instructor at Fletcher Free Library, where basic computer skills were taught to Somali speakers. Additionally, Yusuf Abdi has served as an Interpreter for the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, providing culturally sensitive interpretation services. Yusuf Abdi holds a Master's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies with a focus on Organizational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Computer Science at Khoury College of Computer Sciences.
International Institute of New England
Mission The International Institute of New England (IINE) creates opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. History and Context Founded in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1918, IINE is one of the region’s largest and oldest service providers for new Americans. The International Institute serves 2,000 refugees and immigrants each year and has launched new programs to double the number of newcomers served to 4,000 within five years. In the past year, staff in our Boston, Lowell, and Manchester (NH) field offices provided resettlement, family reunification, education, career assistance, and legal services to people from 67 different countries. As the United States engages in a pitched debate about immigration policy, our work is critical to preserving the nation’s tradition of welcoming people of all backgrounds who cherish freedom, equality and hard work. IINE’s programs are particularly important to New England, which has a notable dependence on immigrant labor to grow its economy.