Ithaca Welcomes Refugees

Collecting donations for a Fall jewelry sale fundraiser in aid of IWR!
The sale will be on November 22 in the First Baptist Church of Ithaca. To donate gently used jewelry, please contact Debbie at 607 279-7174 (Dpbenzer@twcny.rr.com) or Yvonne 607-592-2799

#ithacany #ithaca

We are welcoming a new family into the community. Please spread the word about this call for donations to help us support them with basic furnishings for their new home.

Thank you!❤️
#ithacany

Support Ithaca Welcomes Refugees! The Sophie Fund’s 2025 Cupcake Button fundraiser is live! Each October, we coordinate with college student organizations to collect donations for local nonprofits focused on community well-being. T…

Grateful for this partnership with the Sophie Fund! thesophiefund.org/2025/10/01/s...

We are looking for a new staff team member! See the full job ad post on our website for details. Please share widely.
www.ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/ithaca-welco...
#ithaca #ithacany

TODAY: Last chance to enter IWR's 10th anniversary photo competition! Send your picture capturing Ithaca's inclusive spirit to leilaw@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org. Your entry could be featured in a 2026 IWR calendar and win a prize!

Details: www.ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/10-year-anni...

#ithacany

We are seeking several gently used twin beds, mattresses and blankets for new refugee and immigrant families arriving in our community. Please help if you can by contacting welcome.home@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org. Check our Current Needs page for more: www.ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/current-need...

There are 3 kids aged 4-9 among families we have just started supporting. Please donate gently used baby & kids items to Mama Goose & Jillian’s Drawers and add store credit to IWR’s account. Your help means vouchers to these families from the account! mamagooseithaca.com/how-to-sell-... Thank you ❤️

Thank you for all the care and support offered to this family! If you can still help, please take a look at the list of remaining items they are seeking: www.amazon.com/baby-reg/3L7...

CURRENT NEEDS UPDATE: We are urgently seeking donations of twin beds (box spring or frame with slats) and twin blankets or comforters.
Please share widely and contact welcome.home@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org if you can help.
Thank you to everyone supporting this effort!

We are welcoming a large refugee family to our community! Please help if you can to find beds and other furniture for them by September 12th. Full needs list via QR code or here:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

#ithacany

Many thanks!

Come join us this month in painting a mural for Ithaca that celebrates local immigrants and refugees! For details of the community paint day, email leilaw@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org

"All Are Welcome" fiber art fundraiser sale by Barbara Behrmann, with 25% proceeds to IWR!
Each mounted mini-quilt is unique and suggests a home, doorway or window, the idea that everyone deserves a safe, beautiful place to call home. Sept 4-28 @ State of the Art Gallery. #immigrantswelcome #ithaca

We are glad to be able to support a recently arrived family of four expecting a baby in early September. We will be helping them move into unfurnished housing at the end of the month, just 10 days before the baby is due. Please help if you can! #ithacany

We still have a few items to source for the family of two and we are now also looking to fulfil a needs list for a family of 4 by August 25th. Please check the QR code links to see specific items needed and share with your networks. Many thanks! #ithaca

Needs for a family of two Sign up to donate household items for a family of 2 before August 12th. IWR is collecting the following donations in good to new condition (clean and with no major flaws, holes, stains, pet hair, etc...

We are still looking for a few items for a family of 2... Please check the list and get in touch if you can help! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Please share! We hope to source all items by August 12th in time for the family's move.

Also check our website for all items currently needed for new arrivals:
www.ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/current-need...

***For donations, contact welcome.home@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org***

#ithacany #ithaca

Trump immigration policy exacerbates health care workforce shortages Health care providers are calling on the Trump administration to reverse changes to immigration policy that have compounded New York’s workforce shortages in long-term care.

Healthcare providers are advocating for the Trump administration to reverse harmful immigration policies that lead to key workforce shortages. Add your voice and help boost this pressure for a reverse course by calling your representative!

www.politico.com/newsletters/...

Enjoy an evening of Ukrainian folk music and support medical assistance to victims of the war in Ukraine by attending this upcoming concert in Ithaca! #ithacany

Khurshid arrived at Cornell University four years ago as a refugee. With IWR's support, she has found community and branched out beyond her studies, growing roots, literal and figurative. Read her story:
www.ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/sowing-seeds...
#ithacany #refugeeswelcome #cornelluniversity

New chance to enter IWR photo competition for 2026 calendar! Open to all. Entries to leilaw@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org by Sept 22. Want to make this a fun activity for your team, club, social group, or kids' summer camp? Get in touch! Rules & prizes: www.ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/10-year-anni...

The Trump administration plans to close pending claims without due process for people who applied after entering the US unlawfully, and proceed to expedited deportation. www.cnn.com/2025/06/25/p...

Call your elected representatives and ask them to oppose this policy!

#ithacany #immigrantswelcome

Please get in touch at Welcome.Home@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org if you can donate any of these items. Thank you!

IWR Community Celebrates a Decade of Welcome at Annual Picnic Around 80 people gathered for IWR's 2025 community picnic this month, connecting over food and music, creating art and playing

The IWR community spirit shone bright at our community picnic!
www.ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/iwr-communit...

Thanks to:
- New Delhi Diamonds Restaurant
- Visions Federal Credit Union
- @ccetompkins.bsky.social
- Rick Manning and John Simon, Winter Village Music
- Travis Winter, Cornell Health

Announcing our first annual report!

Check it out for an overview of our programs, people served, finances and supporters in 2024.

www.ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/annual-report/

Last Friday was #WorldRefugeeDay, a time for compassion with people forcibly displaced around the world. A week ago, the federal Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela humanitarian parole program was shut down. Show the public does not support this injustice. Call your reps to reinstate CHNV! #ithacany

10 year anniversary photo competition Seeking your pictures of Ithaca's spirit of welcome! Enter by June 16. The best 12 photos will feature in a 2026 IWR calendar.

Last chance to enter IWR's 10 year anniversary photo competition TODAY! Send your pictures of scenes showing Ithaca's spirit of welcome to leilaw@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org. Details and info on prizes here:
www.ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/10-year-anni...

❤️💚💛🧡💜

#ithacany

Our Spring Appeal continues! Please consider donating to support refugees and immigrants in our community as they create a home here.

Info on challenges they face & programs we are fundraising for: www.ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/iwr-spring-a...

#ithacany #ithaca #refugeeswelcome #immigrantswelcome

Call on NY State leadership to pass the New York for All Act (S2235/A3506) by June 12!
• Stop state & local agencies aiding ICE & CBP
• Ban harmful agreements
• Require judicial warrants for immigration enforcement access to non-public areas
• Protect from trauma & family separation

Resources: