In April 2023, Ithaca Welcomes Refugees (IWR) welcomed its newest staff member, Leigh Bacher. Leigh works as IWR’s first programs coordinator, a role that touches on many aspects of the organization’s work. After a few months on the job, Leigh sat down with communications volunteer Catherine Muskin to discuss her role at IWR and her hopes for the IWR community.
What is your role at IWR?
I serve as programs coordinator, which is a brand-new position for the organization. Others have performed the functions I now perform, but this wasn’t a formal, comprehensive position until this past spring. Among other tasks, I work to support and develop our volunteer base, coordinate resources for new refugee arrivals, and assist the efforts of the response teams and Welcome Home team.
Why did you pursue this work?
I retired from working as a psychology professor and knew I wanted to pursue part-time work in a humanitarian cause in which I believed. Given current events, I was drawn to the refugee crisis and discovered IWR.
What has been the biggest surprise to you in this role?
I’ve been delightfully surprised at the generosity of this community. When a need is expressed to the IWR community about an incoming refugee family, the response is truly overwhelming, in the most positive way. There are very giving and generous people in the Ithaca community and that has been a real treat to discover.
Another great surprise about the role is that I get to speak with so many different community members and learn about community resources. Ithaca is full of generous, talented people who want to use their skills to give back.
What are you looking forward to the most about this role?
I’m most looking forward to seeing families successfully integrate into our community, and cheering them on as they do. I am eager to walk alongside them, recognizing that there will always be opportunities to improve our systems and learn from each family. I am eager to support volunteers as they develop relationships with families.
What are your goals for this role?
One important goal is to support and develop our volunteer base. We have a growing staff and volunteer population and I’d like to help coordinate efforts to strengthen our network and fabric of support. Another concrete goal of mine is to develop a resource database for volunteers and families so that refugees and their response team can together determine where someone can go to find resources to meet goals. I also am eager to build bridges within our community; to connect IWR with existing resources within Ithaca.
Any parting thoughts for the IWR community?
Please write to me! I want to build our networks and resource base so I can match it with needs we’ve identified.
I am extremely grateful and enthusiastic for this opportunity. My husband and I returned to the area after 25 years away because we loved Ithaca and my return here has been so positive. IWR is a great match for me and I am thrilled to be part of an amazing team.
Want to reach out to Leigh? You can email her at leighb@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org.