He works as a pizza cook and takes classes at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. With a job and education, plus his IDA, he and others like him are assured of a more stable future. The International Institute has the only program targeted at refugees, who often face a unique set of problems in trying to overcome financial barriers. Language problems make it difficult for some to find good-paying jobs.
Transportation is often a problem.
Many jobs require a car. Refugees sometimes must choose between long, inconvenient bus rides or a monthly car payment that eats away much of their minimum-wage salaries. For most Americans, financial management is a struggle. For refugees, American financial systems such as banking and credit can be confusing. Some are wary from their experiences.