Arrey Obenson

The St. Louis metropolitan area is showing troubling signs when it comes to population trends.

The International Institute of St. Louis is ready to welcome more Afghan families and refugees from other countries. Officials with the U.S. State and Health and Human Services departments and the International Nonprofit Immigrant Organization met with International Institute officials Monday.

Nearly 600 Afghan refugees now have a place to call home beyond hotels. An effort to bring more Afghans to St. Louis will mean doing much more.

As the International Institute of St. Louis anticipates resettling a wave of Afghan refugees in the region, the organization is focused on arrivals — and on alerting local community members about ways to help. President and CEO Arrey Obenson joined "St. Louis on the Air" with the latest.

Arrey Obenson is the new president and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis. He's taking over the role after Anna Crosslin announced her retirement from the nonprofit.