***We are no longer accepting applications for this position***

Ithaca Welcomes Refugees is seeking a part-time Programs Coordinator to work with a vibrant and diverse volunteer team on the development of this small but growing organization. The IWR Programs Coordinator should have a personal commitment to the goals and objectives of IWR.  

About the Programs Coordinator position

The Programs Coordinator is an important part of creating a community of welcome for newly arrived families​ and will facilitate the efforts of and communication between IWR’s three main programs:

• Welcome Home: Welcome Home volunteers focus on refugee families’ pre-arrival period, identifying and readying housing and making new arrivals feel welcome to our community.  
• Response Teams: Response Teams are groups of 2-4 volunteers assigned to a refugee family/individual to meet their needs and identify and work toward goals, building up to self-sufficiency and connection with community.  
• Global Roots Play School: Global Roots Play School provides trauma-informed, play-based early childcare and learning with a focus on refugee and immigrant families. The school has a paid director and teachers.

This is a part-time, non-exempt, 20-hour-per-week position with a rate of pay of $22-24, depending on experience. IWR requires that all personnel having direct contact with IWR clients undergo a background check through our vendor, including this position. This is a hybrid remote/in-person position. Most work can be performed from home but most meetings will occur in person. The person filling this position can make their own schedule as long as they can find common meeting times with staff and volunteers, often on weekday mornings. Paid time off benefits are included. 

Duties

• Coordinate the arrival of new refugee families/individuals by determining dates of arrival, family composition, housing needs, and notifying relevant Programs Leadership 
• Convene regular meetings of Programs Leadership (a mixture of staff and volunteers) to provide updates on family needs and progress towards goals 
• Help build community among refugees from the same country/language of origin, as well as within the larger Ithaca community 
• Facilitate collaborations between IWR and community organizations as they relate to IWR Programs 
• Maintain centralized records of refugee client information and of volunteers supporting families/individuals 
• Summarize client data for grant application and grant reporting purposes 
• Report to the Executive Director regarding progress and family needs and provide periodic updates on activities to IWR’s Board of Directors 
• Other assignments and tasks may be added at the discretion of the Executive Director 

Required qualifications

• Compassion and sensitivity 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion 
• Ability to work independently  
• Excellent communication and organization skills 
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of refugee client information 
• English fluency 
• Computer literacy 

Experience

Required experience:

• Prior leadership experience in work or community setting 

Preferred experience:

• Prior experience working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds 
• Prior experience in human service and/or non-profit settings 
• Volunteer management experience 
• Case notes management experience 
• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant 
• Fluency in one or more of these languages: Farsi, Dari, Ukrainian, Russian, Karen, Spanish, French 

How to apply

We welcome individuals who are passionate about helping refugees in Tompkins County to apply for the Programs Coordinator position. IWR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals with lived experience as a refugee or immigrant are strongly encouraged to apply. Please submit a cover letter and resume to IWR Executive Director Casey Verderosa at caseyv@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org. Apply by March 3. We look forward to hearing from you.  

***We are no longer accepting applications for this position***

Ithaca Welcomes Refugees is seeking a Finance Assistant to work with a vibrant and diverse volunteer team on the development of this small but growing organization. The IWR Finance Assistant should have a personal commitment to the goals and objectives of IWR.  

About the Finance Assistant position

The Finance Assistant will input, maintain, and report on IWR’s financial records to support the fiscal health of the organization. The Finance Assistant will coordinate with IWR staff and volunteers to obtain the necessary information for the fulfillment of their duties. 

Duties

• Process all financial transactions using QuickBooks Online  
• Accounts Payable – Timely processing of invoices and other payment requests 
• Accounts Receivable – Recording and reconciliation of all revenue from offline and online sources 
• Bank deposits 
• Maintain hard and digital copies of financial transaction records 
• Process bi-weekly payroll 
• Report to Executive Director and attend Finance Committee meetings 
• Provide financial reports for grant application and budget development activities 
• Suggest improvements in accuracy and efficiency 
• Other assignments and tasks may be added at the discretion of the Executive Director 

The time commitment for this independent contractor position will be variable, up to 12 hours per month. Most of the work can be accomplished remotely. The Finance Director can make their own schedule but is expected to join meeting times that work for the rest of the Finance Committee. The rate of pay is $20-22, depending on experience.  

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Bookkeeping or accounting experience 
• Detail-oriented and organized 
• Ability to work independently 
• Good communication skills 
• An understanding of data privacy standards 
• Excellent time management skills 

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity with QuickBooks Online 
• Strong analytical skills 

How to apply

We welcome individuals who are passionate about supporting refugees in Tompkins County to apply for the Finance Assistant position. IWR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals with lived experience as a refugee or immigrant are strongly encouraged to apply. Please submit a cover letter and resume to IWR Executive Director Casey Verderosa at caseyv@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org. Apply by March 3. We look forward to hearing from you.  

IWR is looking to recruit two volunteers to fill the role of Welcome Home Team Co-Leads. IWR has historically been a volunteer-run organization. The Welcome Home Team supports displaced families during their pre-arrival and immediate arrival periods in Tompkins County, as well as conducts donation drives as needed. The Welcome Home Team Co-Leads coordinate the activities of all Welcome Home volunteers to achieve that team’s objectives. 

Expectations for this role:  

• Work with other IWR volunteers to identify new families’ housing, furniture, and household item needs 
• Work with Communications Lead to send out call for furniture and household item donations to the community 
• Coordinate IWR volunteers to pick up, store, and/or place furniture and household items in families’ new homes 
• Determine culturally appropriate groceries to provide a family’s initial stock of food through donations 
• Coordinate with IWR volunteers to provide a warm, culturally appropriate “welcome meal” for a family’s first day in their new housing 
• Coordinate donation drives for other items families may need during post-arrival times (e.g. winter clothing, diapers, etc.) 

This is an unpaid, volunteer position. We expect the time commitment to vary from zero hours per week when we do not have families arriving to several hours per week during the 2-week period before a family arrives. We are seeking to onboard the new Welcome Home Team Co-Leads immediately. 

Required skills:  

• Ability to work independently 
• Ability to organize projects involving several different community contacts and pick up/drop off locations 
• Ability to generate excitement among volunteers and express gratitude for their hard work 
• Good communication 

We welcome individuals who are passionate about helping refugees in the area to apply for the Welcome Home Team Co-Lead volunteer role. Please provide a letter to IWR Executive Director Casey Verderosa at caseyv@ithacawelcomesrefugees.org indicating: 

1. Why you are interested in the Welcome Home Team Co-Lead role 
2. What past experiences and/or skills would make you a good fit for the role 

We look forward to hearing from you. 

IWR is looking to fill the position of Board Treasurer. IWR has historically been a volunteer-run organization. In addition to providing advice to the Board, the Treasurer handles some of the back office tasks. We expect the Treasurer to take on some of the key administrative tasks as listed below. The Treasurer will work closely with the Board and Executive Director.  

Expectations for this role:  

• Advise the IWR board on operation and initiatives from a financial perspective  
• Review the budget of IWR 
• Oversee bookkeeping and financials  
• Work with the board to file taxes  
• Assist with payroll 

This is an unpaid, volunteer position. We expect the time commitment to be a few hours per week. We are seeking to onboard a new Treasurer immediately. The position is remote, with board meetings occurring via Zoom once per month. 

Required skills:  

• Ability to work independently and carry out hands-on back office tasks  
• Knowledge of accounting and finance  
• Budgeting and bookkeeping experiences are helpful  
• QuickBooks experience is a plus  
• Good communication 

We welcome individuals who are passionate about helping refugees in the area to join the IWR board. Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience to Board Chair Doug Stayman at dms43@cornell.edu. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Ithaca Welcomes Refugees (IWR) is reopening its refugee and immigrant childcare program, Global Roots Play School after it closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is holding a special fundraiser from August 19-29 to support the program. Donations can be made at https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/back-to-our-roots.

With generous community support, IWR launched Global Roots Play School in 2017 in partnership with adult English as a Second Language (ESL) programs in Ithaca. Refugee and immigrant parents of children ages 18 months to 5 years old can send their child to Global Roots and then attend their nearby English classes at Open Doors English, Tompkins Learning Partners, and BOCES.

Global Roots has provided early childhood education to nearly 60 children, with families from countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Korea. Because many students are refugees or at the very least have moved from one country to another, teachers practice trauma-informed care and come up with creative ways to communicate in the absence of shared language. The school uses a sliding scale of tuition according to family income, and no family is turned away because they cannot afford it.

As Global Roots Play School continues to support more refugee and immigrant families, IWR is asking for help to cover the difference between the per-child cost of operations and the affordable tuition contributions from families. Contributions made during this annual campaign will ensure that low-income families can afford to send their children to Global Roots Play School and attend adult English classes.

Global Roots Play School is now accepting applications for the 2022/23 school year.

Enrollment is open to all, with priority given to families attending ESL classes. Global Roots serves a maximum of 12 children aged 18 months to 5 years. The play school is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon. Global Roots runs the length of the school year, from September to June.

How to Enroll

Global Roots offers 2-day (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday), and 4-day options, with enrollment preference going to families attending ESL classes or Tompkins Learning Partners. 

You can enroll online or fill out this form (PDF) and send to director@globalrootsplayschool.org, or return to:

Global Roots Play School
402 N Aurora St
Ithaca, NY 14850

Please contact Bronwyn at director@globalrootsplayschool.org for more information.

About Global Roots Play School

Global Roots Play School is a project of Ithaca Welcomes Refugees (IWR).  Our mission is to provide educational and social opportunities for refugee and immigrant children and families in our community. We are an inclusive play-based, child-paced program that provides a community for families and a space for children aged 18 months-5 years to learn, expand their trust beyond the family, and explore their world!

Global Roots Play School opened its doors in September 2017. We are conveniently located downtown near English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and tutoring at Tompkins Learning Partners, Open Doors English, and BOCES, making it possible for parents to attend ESL class while their children are cared for close by. Parent attendance at ESL programs is not required for enrollment at Global Roots, and historically we have served a mix of families some of whom take ESL and some who do not.

Global Roots is a place where families and teachers come together to build a community where children can feel safe and nurtured, while enjoying the socialization of group care. Our focus is on learning through play experiences. The right candidates will be reflective practitioners who have a passion for working with toddlers and preschoolers and their families in a diverse, international setting. They will have a thirst for continuing their education and develop their thinking about how best to work in a community with families, teachers, and children as co-collaborators. Preferred knowledge of languages other than English. Special education experience is a plus. All staff are required to have Covid-19 vaccination.

Global Roots Play School is looking for enthusiastic early childhood specialists to join us in re-opening our mixed-age, family-focused, half-day program in downtown Ithaca.  We are hiring 3 positions to join our experienced director and assistant director starting in September 2022:

1. Co-teacher (Monday-Thursday 8:45-12:30)
2. Assistant teacher (Monday-Thursday 9:00-12:00)
3. Assistant/Substitute Teacher (Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-12:00 plus substitute teaching)

 

About Global Roots Play School

Global Roots Play School is a project of Ithaca Welcomes Refugees (IWR).  Our mission is to provide educational and social opportunities for refugee and immigrant children and families in our community. We are an inclusive play-based, child-paced program that provides a community for families and a space for children aged 18 months-5 years to learn, expand their trust beyond the family, and explore their world!

Global Roots Play School opened its doors in September 2017. We are conveniently located downtown near English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and tutoring at Tompkins Learning Partners, Open Doors English, and BOCES, making it possible for parents to attend ESL class while their children are cared for close by. Parent attendance at ESL programs is not required for enrollment at Global Roots, and historically we have served a mix of families some of whom take ESL and some who do not.

Global Roots is a place where families and teachers come together to build a community where children can feel safe and nurtured, while enjoying the socialization of group care. Our focus is on learning through play experiences. The right candidates will be reflective practitioners who have a passion for working with toddlers and preschoolers and their families in a diverse, international setting. They will have a thirst for continuing their education and develop their thinking about how best to work in a community with families, teachers, and children as co-collaborators. Preferred knowledge of languages other than English. Special education experience is a plus. All staff are required to have Covid-19 vaccination.

 

Co-Teacher

Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education or a related field and 3-5 years of early childhood classroom experience OR an Associate’s Degree and 5 years of early childhood teaching experience OR 10 years of early childhood teaching experience. Must be available Monday-Thursday 8:45-12:30, plus hourly staff meeting once a week

Wages: $20/hr

Responsibilities:

• Observe and assess children’s needs
• Communicate and build relationships with families
• Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment
• Facilitate experiential learning activities (cooking, art, music, etc.)
• Support children’s social and emotional needs
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences
• Participate in continuing education
• Attend staff meetings
• Collaborate with other team members
• Comply with all school policies

 

Assistant Teacher & Assistant/Substitute Teacher

Qualifications: Strong interest in early childhood education and experience working with children.

Wages: $19/hr

Responsibilities:

• Observe and assess children’s needs
• Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment
• Facilitate experiential learning activities (cooking, art, music, etc.)
• Support children’s social and emotional needs
• Participate in continuing education
• Collaborate with other team members
• Comply with all school policies

Please submit cover letter and resume to director@globalrootsplayschool.org by July 7th.