Ithaca Welcomes Refugees

Ithaca Welcomes Refugees walks alongside refugees and immigrants resettling in Tompkins County, New York. Whether finding a place to live, enrolling in English classes, or rebuilding community, we help newcomers navigate unfamiliar systems and environments, providing needed support.

Current Needs

Donate items for refugees who have arrived in our community
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Volunteer

Assist our refugee partners in their resettlement journeys
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Donate

Make a gift to support IWR's programs
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News & Updates

Jewelry Sale Fundraiser - 11/21

The 11th annual Jewelry Sale fundraiser is Saturday November 21 from 10am-3pm at the First Baptist Church (309 North Cayuga St). Shop a wide selection of pre-loved and vintage earrings, bracelets, pins, rings, necklaces, pendants, watches, and handbags. All proceeds benefit Ithaca Welcomes Refugees. Payment accepted by cash and stripe.

Orchid Bee Candy Pop-up Fundraiser - 10/30

Stock your "Halloweekend" kitchen with local baked goods from @wideawakebakery and international sweets from @orchidbeecandy! Orchid Bee sells very special candies from around the world, seeking out interesting flavors, textures, and colors that highlight the extraordinary diversity and expansiveness of candy's cultures and histories. In addition to some fun Halloween treats, they will be selling candies that celebrate the global migrations of people and foods. This very special Orchid Bee Candy Halloween pop-up is donating ½ of their profits to @ithacawelcomesrefugees. IWR has been supporting recently arrived refugees and immigrants rebuilding their lives in Tompkins County since 2015.

Ithaca Welcomes Refugees - 2025 Annual Report

In 2025 we supported 13 households move into stable accommodation. Provided $60,890 in housing aid to recent arrivals, and supported 24 families and 22 individuals through our Response Projects. Learn more about our 10th year at ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/annual-report

Featured Story

A Poetry of Care: How Khadija is Healing and Creating

For Khadija, poetry is a means of transforming pain into beauty. Resettling in Ithaca after fleeing the Taliban, she tells us her story.

Lives Rebuilt: What it means to pursue your dreams as a refugee family
IWR's core work is in recognizing that the way individuals and families become refugees is not the only story of their lives. We work closely with refugee-partners to co-determine what a successful resettlement would look and feel like for them individually, and for families as a collective. The following are stories from a family that has worked closely with IWR for four years as part of their resettlement journey.   Identifying details and locations have been modified to protect this family's privacy.   Since my arrival in Ithaca in the early 2020s with my family, I have been engaged with Cornell University as a Visiting Scholar. I have delivered…

Key Sponsors

We are grateful to the following organizations currently supporting our programs through grants and sponsorships. 

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