Suitcase Stories®  features foreign- and US-born residents sharing powerful and inspiring stories of refugee and immigrant life. Featured nationally on PBS, the Suitcase Stories® series provides a way to dig beneath the headlines, exposing audiences to the complexity of migration. Storytellers are all local to New England, including the greater Northampton area.

Suitcase Stories®  is co-presented by the International Institute of New England (IINE) and Stellar Story Company. Suitcase Stories® is a registered trademark of IINE.

Founded in 1918, the International Institute of New England serves 10,000 refugees and immigrants each year in Massachusetts and New Hampshire with specialized services. The mission of IINE is to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement, and pathways to citizenship. By assisting refugees from all over the world, IINE has invested in the enrichment of local communities throughout New England by receiving, supporting, educating, training, and job-placing this ambitious and diverse population. With continued partnership from community groups and support from philanthropists throughout New England, IINE will continue this service for the next 100 years and beyond. Learn more: iine.org

Stellar Story Company helps people and institutions deliver extraordinary stories and unforgettable events that lead to meaningful change. The staff leads custom storytelling training programs and events for businesses, nonprofits, schools, and individuals. From 2017-2024, Stellar’s director managed curation and coaching for the award-winning national media program Stories from the Stage. Most recently, in Western Massachusetts, Stellar coached performers for CISA’s annual Field Notes event at the Academy for Music. Stellar partners with IINE to bring Suitcase Stories programs to schools, workplaces, and communities nationwide. Learn More: stellarstory.com.