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.