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.
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.
Latest Story
2026 IWR Summer Picnic Recap
Current News
Music Fundraiser at Lansing Performance Hall 8/15
Join us at the Lansing Performance Hall on Saturday August 15th from 6-10pm. Performers include: Yessica Martinez (Poet), Hannah Toombs (Singer/Songwriter), Acid Rat! (Acoustic Psychedelic Punk), Freeway Art (Dreamgaze Rock), and Spud Bugs (Folk Punk). Sliding scale donation to enter, 100% of proceed to benefit Ithaca Welcomes Refugees. Our thanks to Rocío Anica for organizing the event.
Read our 2025 Annual Report
2025 was a notable year in IWR’s history. On this tenth anniversary of IWR’s founding, we celebrated our 226 refugee and immigrant partners who made a new home in Tompkins County over the past decade. Although some have moved to other locations, many of our new neighbors have remained in town. Including enrollment in our Global Roots Play School, we have served 419 people from 38 different countries – roughly 19% of the world’s countries. Learn more at ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/annual-report
Requesting Gently Worn Jewelry for Fall Fundraiser
To organize, drop off or pickup of donated jewelry, please call Debbie at 607 279-7174 (Dpbenzer@twcny.rr.com) or Yvonne 607-592-2799. The Fall Jewelry Sale date will be announced in late summer.
Key Sponsors
We are grateful to the following organizations currently supporting our programs through grants and sponsorships.
Stay Connected
Subscribe to IWR’s newsletter to keep up to date on our activities and learn about opportunities to help.