Have your gift get to work today, give online - it's secure and easy.

International Institute of Rhode Island's mission is to enable all area residents, especially immigrants and refugees, to become self-reliant, invested participants in our communities, while fostering respect and understanding among all people. Read more

Tell-A-Friend:
Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.Tell-A-Friend!

November 6, 2009

IIRI Board President Bill Twaddell Receives Bank of America  “Local Hero Award”

At Bank of America’s 2009 Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Awards ceremony held on November 6, 2009, Bill Twaddell, President of IIRI’s Board of Directors, was recognized as a “Local Hero” for his commitment to strengthening the community and working to create a better Rhode Island. 

Bill’s tireless work mentoring and assisting new refugee families, his promotion of the work of IIRI, and his enthusiasm for encouraging friends, family, neighbors, and acquaintances to become involved at IIRI has made a huge difference to the well being of refugees in Rhode Island.   

After stints in the Peace Corp and the Army press corps, Bill was a U.S. diplomat for more than 30 years. He served as the United States Ambassador to three African nations, Liberia, Nigeria, and Mauritania.  Since his retirement in 2000, Bill has served on the boards of IIRI, the Global Alliance to Immunize Against AIDS Vaccine Foundation (GAIA), the Brown University Corporation and the First Unitarian Church.  He has been an advocate for refugees worldwide during his career with the U.S. State Department and has been particularly active in support of the local refugee community since retiring in RI.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation supports nonprofits in Rhode Island, providing funding to address critical social issues through the bank’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI). As part of the “Local Hero” award, the bank will be donating $5,000 to IIRI as the non-profit selected by Bill Twaddell.  

Thank you and congratulations to both Bill Twaddell and Bank of America Foundation for their support of International Institute Rhode Island and their commitment to improving our communities and making Rhode Island better for all of us.

To learn more about helping refugees in Rhode Island, please contact Mary Ellen Lynch at 401.784.8649 or melynch@iiri.org.

IIRI Board President Bill Twaddell is recognized as a "Local Hero" by Bank of America.