International Institute Of Los Angeles

The International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA) began in 1914 as a response to the needs of women and girls immigrating from Europe and East Asia in adjusting to their new lives in Los Angeles.  Our founding was part of the larger revolutionary vision of a social welfare worker named Edith Terry Bremer, who established the first International Institute in New York in 1910. The International Institute movement was unique for its time in its philosophy and approach to this work. It embraced cultural pluralism by celebrating ethnic diversity and encouraging immigrants to maintain their native languages, traditions and folk cultures, while also becoming engaged US citizens who contribute to their communities.

IILA has played a prominent role in every major refugee and immigrant wave since its founding. For over a century, we have offered a wide range of services to assist limited-English proficient and low-income individuals achieve self-sufficiency and thrive. Over time, we also expanded our services to include a wide array of legal assistance, resettlement of refugees and asylum applicants, survivors of human trafficking, and free or low-cost child care and transportation. We employ over 150 people in 13 locations in Los Angeles County and have a budget of over 20 million dollars. We also have a long history of employing newcomers, who serve as valuable team members who can provide culturally sensitive assistance to those in need.

Our commitment to upholding the dignity and supporting the self-sufficiency of refugees and immigrants is as unwavering today as it was at our founding.  We know that new arrivals bring a vibrancy and richness, as well as economic strength, to Southern California and the wider United States that is vital for our continued growth and success.