Launched health promotion programs through the California Department of Public Health to ensure access to essential medical and mental health care and wellness resources for newly arrived Afghan, Ukrainian, and other refugee populations

Began offering services to Ukrainian humanitarian parolees fleeing their homes in the wake of the Russian invasion of February 2022. Implemented financial assistance program for young refugee families through First 5 LA.

Opened a satellite office in El Monte, CA. Partnered with Helen Keller International to provide free vision care services to low-income families.  The California Welcomes Coalition co-sponsored SB 1368 which included 8 million dollars to fund case management support for vulnerable populations. Started the Preferred Communities program to support the successful resettlement and integration of especially vulnerable refugees [...]

Partnered with the Public Health Institute and provided 1.5 million dollars in food subsidies to more than 1,700 LA County households impacted by COVID-19. Selected as partner by the California Department of Social Services to provide social services to unaccompanied youth under the Opportunities For Youth Project. Partnered with CDC Foundation to provide system navigation services to individuals [...]

Selected by Metro as a partner to administer the LIFE Program for the Southeast region. Awarded $50,000 grant by the Weingart Foundation to support IILA’s work. 

Joined the California Welcomes coalition. Five local non-profit organizations suspended resettlement services leaving IILA, IRC, and IRIS as the only refugee serving organizations in Southern California. 

Restarted Matching Grant Program to provide job placement assistance to newly arrived refugees. Executive Order 13769 went into effect, putting a halt on refugee arrivals. 

Resettled over 700 refugees, the highest number of refugees in IILA’s history. 

Led the entire national USCRI network in submission of Central American Minors (CAM) Program petitions to reunite youth with their relatives residing in Southern California. The first CAM case in the state arrived December 2015.

Began services to youth who benefitted from Presidential deferred action (DACA).  Families in Schools, an offshoot of First 5 Los Angeles, awards IILA $50,000 to support our work in our commercial kitchen as a “Social Enterprise.”