Boston's Irish International Immigrant Center now called Rian Immigrant Center

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The Irish International Immigrant Center, one of Boston’s leading immigrant advocacy groups for over three decades, has changed its name to Rian Immigrant Center.

Rian (Ree-Ann), the Irish word for path, honors the groups Irish roots while reflecting its inclusive mission of empowering immigrant and refugee families on the path to opportunity, safety and a better future for all.

The Center’s new logo is inspired by the Giant's Causeway on the north coast of Ireland, natural hexagonal stones formed 60 million years ago by cooling lava. The symbol represents how the Rian Immigrant Center provides the support to chart a pathway forward.

“Our work has never been in higher demand,” said Ronnie Millar, executive director of the Rian Immigrant Center. “In recent years that path has grown more difficult. Legal obstacles, bureaucratic thickets, even physical barriers obstruct the path to legal status and citizenship. Together with our public and private partners, we are undaunted in navigating those challenges, and we remain steadfast in creating pathways to new beginnings.”

The organization was formed in 1989 as the Irish Immigration Center, working out of a basement apartment in Dorchester, during a time when there were many undocumented Irish living in greater Boston.  Under the leadership of Sr. Lena Deevy, Patrick O’Riordan and others, the ICC set up workshops on citizenship and health care and offered counseling and other services the new Irish needed.

Over time, the Irish Immigration Center expanded its mission to help not just the Irish but immigrants from other parts of the world and changed its named to the Irish International Immigrant Center. 

Rian Immigrant Center represents the third name change, underscoring its evolving role in providing humanitarian legal, wellness and education services for immigrants from 126 countries.

Additionally, Rian is continuing to expand its partnerships with local schools, hospitals, community-based organizations and recently launched a new civic engagement program for those on the path to citizenship.

Rian’s work creating pathways to new beginnings is made possible by its many individual donors, corporate donors, foundational donors and partners in addition to its hard-working and dedicated staff and volunteers. 

For more information about Rian and how to get involved, please visit www.riancenter.org.

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