Vol. 7, No. 8 October 2017
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Crosslin Receives International Business Award
Aligning IISTL & SLU missions to build international business
Anna Crosslin shares the value of immigration and immigrants with the audience of 150 at SLU's annual International Business Awards. Photo by Wayne Crosslin
On October 5, Anna Crosslin received the 201 7 Global Service Leadership Award from the Boeing Institute of International Business, John Cook School of Business at Saint Louis University . Kevin O'Malley, retired US Ambassador to Ireland, was also honored with the International Visionary Award. 
DACA Presentation is Timely and Relevant 
Getting the facts about DACA and its impending end
(from left) Anna Crosslin, Fr. John O'Brien, Jim Hacking and Amanda Tello clear up questions about the end of DACA and its impact. Photo by Wayne Crosslin/International Institute.
On September 9, an audience of more than 120 learned about DACA and how its impending end will affect recipients in St. Louis and around the US. A link to the entire presentation (40-minute presentation plus 30-minute Q&A session on YouTube is located here).
Jim Hacking, immigration attorney said that there are 3,500 DACA recipients in Missouri with perhaps 1,600-1,700 located in St. Louis. They are law-abiding residents who are now fearful in the US in a way they have not been before.
DACA recipients feel understandably vulnerable. To apply for DACA status, they must provide very detailed information including their address, place of work, name of their educational institution, and more. Such information can expedite deportation not only for the DACA recipient but also for other undocumented family members at the same address.
New US Citizens Sworn In at International Institute
Welcoming 39 new Americans from dozens of countries
(from left) Judge Charles Rendlen II of the US Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of MO and a new US Citizen from Mexico and his son. Photo by Wayne Crosslin/International Institute.
Mayor Lyda Krewson welcomed 39 new US Citizens at the September 15 Naturalization Ceremony at the International Institute. The ceremony also highlighted the commencement of National Welcoming Week.
Welcoming Week is an annual series of events in which communities bring together immigrants, refugees, and native-born residents to raise awareness of the benefits of immigrant newcomers. There were more than 700 events around the country from September 15-22.
Suzanne LeLaurin Retires from Institute
Recognizing 20 years of exemplary service 
(From left): Anna Crosslin, Suzanne LeLaurin, and Ariel Burgess. Photo by Wayne Crosslin/International Institute.
On August 31, colleagues and friends gathered to recognize the outstanding work of Suzanne LeLaurin, LCSW, and SVP of Programs for the International Institute. After 20 years of service, she has retired.
Anna Crosslin, IISTL President and CEO, spoke of Suzanne's dedication to the mission of the agency and to those we serve. She remarked about the important role that Suzanne played both internally and externally. She built professional and strong programs and services as well as relationships and service networks. Anna presented Suzanne with an engraved platter to commemorate her service and retirement.
Other speakers included Rob Fruend, President of STL Regional Health Commission and Courtney Berg, Executive Director of Girls on the Run and former student of Suzanne's. Ariel Burgess, VP of Client Services presented a carved wood platter from Africa as a retirement recognition from Suzanne's direct reports.
Festival of Nations is Outstanding Success
Celebrating the many and diverse cultures of our region
Photo by Wayne Crosslin/International Institute.
2017 Festival of Nations was the biggest ever with crowds estimated to total 150,000 throughout the weekend. This year Wells Fargo Advisors, the Presenting Sponsor, was joined by new major sponsors, Centene and Monsanto. Returning major sponsors included Enterprise Holdings, Webster University, US Bank, Regional Arts Commission, Missouri Arts Council, and 7-UP. "The weather was magnificent and visitors absolutely flocked to Tower Grove Park," said Ed Seuc, Festival Chair. 

Liberty Flight Lands on September 3
Providing essential funding for refugee resettlement
Photo by Wayne Crosslin/International Institute.
Thanks to the St. Louis community for helping us successfully "land the plane" during IISTL's 2017 Liberty Flight. The July-August campaign surpassed its goal, raising $39,575 to support the work of refugee resettlement. "These funds are especially critical right now, when the number of refugees being sponsored and accompanying resettlement funding have been cut," said Anna Crosslin, IISTL President & CEO. "With all of us working together, we can still successfully resettle newcomer families and benefit St. Louis."
Upcoming Events
RE: Out of Diaspora
October 14, 1 - 2 pm; Contemporary Art Museum
Video artist Zlatko Ćosić came to the U.S. from the former Yugoslavia, and his experience of war, displacement, and shifting identities has consequently shaped the content of his art practice. For more information, click here. Event is free and open to the public, RSVP is requested.

American Voices present Sahba Motallebi, Music of Persia Traditional Meets Contemporary
October 20, 11 am - 12 pm; IISTL
This concert features Sahba Motallebi, a modern virtuoso of the Persian tar and setar. Join us for a special performance, featuring collaboration with St. Louis musicians. Event is free and open to the public, RSVP requested to info@iistl.org.

Film & Panel Discussion: Forging a Convention for Crimes Against Humanity
November 15, 5:30 - 7:15 pm; IISTL
Join us in viewing Never Again: Forging a Convention for Crimes Against Humanity directed by local St. Louisan, Leila Sadat. A gripping new film that delivers testimony from survivors of these continuing crimes- as well as calls from international experts working to remedy this gap in international law and justice. A panel discussion will follow the film. For a discussion guide, click here. Event is free and open to the public, RSVP requested to info@iistl.org.

3rd Annual Holiday Bazaar
December 1 - 3; IISTL Gym
Kick off your holiday shopping with unique treasures from local artisans and crafters. Click here for more info.

Tours of IISTL
Last Wednesday monthly, 10 am
Click here for reservation form. Group tours for more than five visitors can be arranged at other times with advance notice, also by using the form.
Other News
Rent event spaces at IISTL
Need a space to hold a small meeting or a large event? We may have what you want! For rates and room sizes, please visit our rental page.

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International Institute of St. Louis | (314) 773-9090 | info.iistl.org | www.iistl.org