International Institute St. Louis

Local Perspective - Timeline for St. Louis
International Institute St. Louis - History

1916	Beginning of the International Institute movement nationally. Over the next decade, nearly 50 Institute's are established in major metropolitan areas in the East and Midwest.
1919	In November, formal dedication of the St. Louis International Institute, which was organized as a committee of the YWCA. Jane Addams of Chicago's Hull House gives the keynote speech at the dedication.
1920	In May, the St. Louis International Institute sponsors its first International Folkfest.
1923	The Institute separates from the St. Louis YWCA to become an independent member of the Community Council of St. Louis. (United Way's predecessor).
1924	Services to men begin. Interpreter services are established.
1929	Agency formally separates from the National YWCA. Its Community Council funds are drastically cut as the stock market crash occurs.
1930/39	The Institute undergoes drastic budget cuts as one Community Council drive after another fails to reach its goal. The office is run largely by volunteers.
1934	International Institute sponsors Festival of Nations at Municipal Auditorium (Kiel) as part of the dedication activities.
1942	Institute staff organizes a Women's Defense Group of foreign-born women to assist in the war effort. They also assist in the relocation of 30 Japanese American internees form California to St. Louis.
1945	A Young Women's Group is organized for foreign-born wives of American servicemen.
1950	Citizenship classes (the only ones in St. Louis) are begun at the Institute.
1953	English classes for Japanese wives of American servicemen are begun. The Institute staff organize foreign students at all area colleges and universities for social event.
1956/58	A Hungarian Refugee program is conducted at the agency. The agency conducts a Capital Campaign to purchase its facility at 4484 West Pine Blvd. $45,000 is raised.
1960/75	A great emphasis is placed in English classes and socialization activities. The SHARE PLAN FOR INTERCULTURAL EDUCATION is launched in 1969.
1975	As the war in Indochina ends, Vietnamese refugees begin to arrive in St. Louis. The Institute sponsors 20 single men and assists hundreds more with English training and job search. The Institute receives its first federal refugee services contract.
1978	Anna Crosslin is hired as the agency's Executive Director. Its staff includes 9 (full and part-time) and the agency has an annual budget of $175,000.
1982	The Institute relocates to 3800 Park Avenue. The larger facility allows agency programs to continue to meet the needs of a vastly expanded agency clientele.
1983/84	Phase I of the Institute's Capital Campaign raises $150,000, a new building entrance is constructed, and the parking lot is re-paved.
1985	The Institute's first federal contract to assist immigrants, in addition to refugees, is received. Job search training and placement is conducted through a contract with the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE).
1987	The Board of Directors directs the undertaking of a Long Range Strategic Plan, which results in an expanded agency Mission Statement and a three-year plan with program priorities established. Updated in 1990, 1993, 1996 and 2000.
1989	At occasion of Institute's 75th Birthday, Ruth Holliday Watkins Educational Endowment Fund established, in addition to biennial Lebadang Award, honoring an outstanding volunteer (given in odd-dated years).
1992	International Folkfest re-introduced. Biennial International Awards established and recognized at a gala fundraising dinner to 4 outstanding St. Louisans who have strengthened our community's global ties (given in even-dated years).
1994	Folkfest moves to Queeny Park.
1996	Institute's budget exceeds $2 million annually for the first time. Agency resettles 965 refugees, its largest year ever.
1997	Agency surpasses its previous record resettlement year with an astounding 44% increase. Mental health services for refugees and services for the elderly are introduced.
1999	Institute successfully completes a $2.5 million capital campaign and relocates to newly renovated facility at 3654 S. Grand in the heart of St. Louis' growing new American community.
2001	International Institute delivers services to more than 10,000 immigrants and refugees from 40 countries. In the Fall, the agency receives its first dislocated worker contract, enabling staff to provide employment services to refugees AND immigrants who've been laid off from jobs. We revive Festival of Nations at Tower Park near the City’s thriving International District.
2002	Agency adds services to at-risk youth (14-18 year olds) and begins providing adult employment services to refugees AND immigrants in St. Louis County with WIA funds.
2003	"Wish You Were Here!" the Institute's first gala/auction debuts in May in the World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. In September, Anna Crosslin celebrates 25 years at the helm of the agency.
2004	The Institute celebrates its 85th anniversary and launches "Passages to St. Louis: The Work of the International Institute," an oral history project featuring the stories of the agency's clients and volunteers throughout the many decades of Institute service.
2005	The International Institute Business Solutions Center is formally launched. Ann Rynearson celebrates her 25th anniversary with the Institute.
2006	More than 60,000 St. Louisans of all ages attend our annual Festival of Nations, a full-filled weekend celebration featuring more than 100 ethnic and international groups.
2007	We formally launch the International Institute Community Development Corporation to increase opportunities for immigrants to get loans to start small businesses.

Local Perspective – St. Louis