When Ithaca Welcomes Refugees (IWR) performs outreach to volunteers, donors, and the community in preparation for arriving refugee families, it is natural to think of short-term needs; beds, cookware, and towels are generally required to help make a new living space feel more like home. Quietly waiting with open arms, however, is a steady second home for families with young children.

Global Roots is an international, play-based preschool that serves children in Ithaca aged 18 months to 5 years. Its founding director, Bronwyn Losey, shared that the preschool was formed in 2017, when several refugee mothers to toddlers needed affordable childcare in order to attend their English courses. Julie Coulombe – a longtime ESL teacher (whom Open Doors English: The Julie Rudd Coulombe Language Program is named to honor) and Julie Petrie, IWR’s former board chair – met about this barrier, and the idea of Global Roots was born. “We received funding,” Bronwyn recalled, “And I said, ‘Great! We can run for a month!’ And we’ve steadily grown from there.”

Bronwyn, armed with twenty years’ worth of experience in early childhood development, has helped cultivate an environment she calls “a soft landing” for immigrant and refugee families settling in Ithaca.  For some families, the school remains a place where their children can be cared for while they attend English classes; for others, including native Ithacans, it is an intentional choice for international exposure for their children. For all, it is a child-focused environment that serves the entire family in a trauma-informed manner. Bronwyn emphasized that staff need to be emotionally available for families, and ready to serve as a steady, welcoming environment amidst a significant amount of change for many students. This specialized skillset and mission are two of the many reasons why funding the school with a living wage for educators is critical.

In painting the picture of a soft place to land, Bronwyn shared the story of a refugee who was father to a young Global Roots student. The student had significant difficulty saying goodbye in the morning, so his father would stay with him during the day, providing additional support for him. Bronwyn recalled seeing the father napping on the couch in the classroom on several occasions, and felt grateful to be able to be a support for both him and his son. She further described the classroom as a common meeting spot for parents, where community can be developed.

Global Roots operates downtown, in a space that previously housed a church-based preschool. The classroom is a peaceful spot, with colorful workspaces. Nearby, students play in the gymnasium or outside on the playground. During my visit, language differences did not appear to be a significant barrier to relationship development: I observed pool noodles serving as a stimulus for uproarious laughter among several pockets of students, who Bronwyn pointed out spoke different languages from one another. Students often attend the part time program alongside their siblings. The curriculum is play-based, meeting children where they are developmentally, and the school summarizes its educational beliefs with the following pillars: (1) Children are capable. (2) Children are unique learners. (3) Children learn through relationships. (4) Play is essential, as a natural mechanism for learning. (5) We are part of a community caring for children.

Global Roots gratefully receives donations. Particularly in advance of a school year, a monetary donation goes furthest. Financial support from donors allows IWR to support Global Roots’ great mission, including funding current teachers whose individual backgrounds are as varied as the families they serve. As Global Roots embarks on its annual fundraising effort this school year, IWR hopes that this peek behind the proverbial schoolhouse gate leaves you inspired to help support its efforts.

Our Back to School campaign for Global Roots is now live and will run from August 26 to September 13. As a fresh school year begins, help us keep alive this nurturing space and welcome in our youngest new arrivals and their families! To make your contribution or become a fundraising champion, visit the Back to School campaign page.

IWR’s annual picnic affords its community members the opportunity to gather and celebrate one another. IWR hosted its 2024 picnic on June 22, on an afternoon marked by both figurative and literal warmth: the 88-degree day followed a week-long heatwave, but attendees smiled, laughed, and hugged anyway.

There were plenty of activities for attendees to enjoy, thanks to Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and other volunteers. Children seemed to particularly enjoy one of CCE’s activities where they built marshmallow sculptures (though some marshmallows mysteriously went missing following their architectural endeavors). Meanwhile, a kung fu clinic was hosted by a CCE staff member, young children worked with blocks, and groups of attendees played lawn games in the shade. Laughter and cheers transcended any language limitations: it turns out everyone shouts when a cornhole beanbag goes in.

Eventually, the smell of food tempted attendees to a meal together. New Delhi Diamond’s, the CCE, and some attendees generously donated delicious fare to the picnic, and soon the pavilion was filled with refugees, volunteers, and staff members, getting to know one another and eating.

Beyond the fellowship, food, and activities, this year’s attendees were able to participate in a workshop on household money management. Topics included the use of checking and savings accounts at a bank, debit and credit cards, tips for enhancing financial health and credit history, and the creation of a household budget. In recognition of the numerous backgrounds of refugees and immigrants at the picnic, there were tables set up with interpreters for speakers of Haitian Creole, Pashto, Spanish, and Ukrainian, to help facilitate nuanced dialogue around these important topics. Seventeen participants joined this program, while many of their children meandered away towards the nearby games and activities.

In reflecting on this hot but warm day, Leila Wilmers, IWR’s new Development Director, summed it up beautifully, noting, “There was a wonderful energy to this event. It gave me a real sense of the shared spirit of community that IWR creates through its work.”

I meet Lilli and Michael in mid-November, almost four months to the day after their arrival from Nicaragua. As they share their story with me, their three children, ages 9, 10, and 14, are never far from the plotline. “They love the weather,” Michael says, as I stifle laughter. I make a poor attempt at a joke about Ithaca’s winters in Spanish, and Michael smiles and shares that his family wants to be part of this community. His response is genuine and gentle, traits both he and his wife reflect throughout our conversation.

Caring for a family of preteens is not easy for most families; acclimating to a new country and language at the same time makes Lilli and Michael’s current situation even more daunting. But while we speak, their focus remains on the positives of their experience. They speak with excitement and humble pride about their youngest children, who are quickly learning English at school. Although they share that their older child has had more difficulty due to the rigors of academics, they are quick to give him credit for his success in math. Lilli also shares that he is ready to mow lawns this summer, a departure from the previous summer in Ithaca, which he spent at camp. Ithaca Welcomes Refugees helped make up for the gap between a scholarship the children received and the remainder of the tuition so that their parents could identify work opportunities and pursue English instruction while they settled in Ithaca.

Lilli and Michael’s original connection to Ithaca stems from Michael’s cousin, Alejandro. Alejandro and his family came to Ithaca in 2016; five years later, they were able to sponsor Michael’s family. Having navigated many of the new circumstances of the United States personally, Alejandro has been able to orient Lilli and Michael to their new community and also reached out to IWR to request additional assistance. IWR partnered with a local landlord to secure housing at a discounted rate near Alejandro, so the two families’ children can attend the same school.

After a few months’ wait, Lilli and Michael now both have work authorization and are actively seeking employment within their fields, as an agronomist or in the water sector, and in childcare, respectively. IWR volunteers have assisted with their resumes, while they diligently attend English classes with Open Doors English four times a week. The family recently obtained a used car, which has helped tremendously for the practical difficulties of getting to and from the laundromat and grocery store.

In our conversation, Lilli and Michael reflected on how the community has welcomed their family. IWR and the Ithaca College VITA Tax Clinic hosted their family for a tax information session in November and the family received winter coats and accessories during IWR’s winter clothing drive.

Even some dental trouble had a silver lining. Their oldest child had braces put on only a few months before leaving Nicaragua and began experiencing mouth pain soon after their arrival in Ithaca. A local orthodontist agreed to see him and, much to Lilli and Michael’s surprise, the doctor offered to complete the child’s entire treatment, free of charge.

On the horizon for our new neighbors is their continued pursuit of work within their fields while supporting their children as they complete their first full year of school in Ithaca. Michael shares that he feels very aware of the community’s willingness to help and is grateful for the network his family has grown in such a short amount of time.

“We have felt welcomed since our arrival,” Lilli says, “And the generosity of this community has exceeded all our expectations.”

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

About Ithaca Welcomes Refugees (IWR): IWR is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that partners with newly arrived refugees and immigrants as they rebuild their lives in Tompkins County. IWR began as an all-volunteer organization and now has a small, part-time staff. Up to this point, development duties have been filled by volunteers and the Executive Director, and communications duties have been filled by volunteers. IWR currently receives county funding, grant monies from local community foundations, and contributions from private donors. Volunteers and other staff will continue to provide development and communications support to the person who takes on this role. IWR’s work environment is defined by teamwork. We strive to contribute to other staff and volunteer efforts, to lift one another up, and to re-prioritize when needed, in service of helping our new neighbors realize their resettlement goals.

About the Development Director position

To empower Ithaca Welcomes Refugees to carry out our mission-driven work, the Development Director will obtain funds from existing sources, expand IWR’s funding from grants and private donors, and create external communications regarding activities and needs of IWR and the newcomers we serve to the community. This position reports to the Executive Director.

This is a half-time, non-exempt, 20-hour-per-week position with an hourly rate of pay of $30-35, depending on experience. IWR requires that all personnel having direct contact with IWR clients and/or donors 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

• Grants:
  • Identify grant opportunities that expand IWR’s funding
  • Write and submit grant applications and reports in collaboration with the Executive Director
  • Publicly acknowledge grant funders (e.g., write press releases, incorporate acknowledgements into other public communications)
• Private Donors:
  • Draft twice annual mailers (spring and year-end), with support and direction from Executive Director and development volunteers
  • Cultivate and manage donor relationships (e.g., outreach to expand donor pool, personalized communication with existing donors)
  • Ensure donors receive tax receipts and donation acknowledgements
• Communications
  • Create or assign mission-driven content for IWR’s blog
  • Proofread content created for IWR’s website, blog, and newsletter
  • Schedule content for IWR’s newsletter and publish the newsletter monthly
  • Assign content to Communications volunteers to post to IWR’s social media accounts
• Lead IWR’s efforts to meet annual fundraising goals
• Plan a small number (1-2 annually) of fundraising and/or community events, with support from staff and volunteers
• Other assignments and tasks as needed

Required qualifications

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

Experience

Required experience:

• Grant-writing experience
• Experience writing for publication

Preferred experience:

• Prior experience working in a development capacity for a nonprofit organization
• Familiarity with donor databases
• Prior experience working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds

How to apply

We welcome individuals who are passionate about helping refugees in Tompkins County to apply for the Development Director 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. We look forward to
hearing from you.

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.