Board of Directors
Doug Stayman, Chair
Howard Lagoze, Treasurer
Bridgette Nugent, Secretary
Dr. Wali Ahmadzai
Krystyna Golovakova
Mary Hutchens
Christine Lemonda
Pedro X. Molina
Karen Schachere
Hattie Seten
Central Staff
Casey Verderosa
Leigh Bacher
Kadhim Owayez
Zoë Van Nostrand
Global Roots Staff
Brownwyn Losey
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Ithaca Welcomes Refugees is in our 11th year of providing resettlement assistance to newly arrived refugees and immigrants in Tompkins County. In the last two years our immigrant partners have experienced dramatic shifts in the ethos of “welcome” that America long prided itself on. IWR’s refugee partners are meeting this moment with resilience and a commitment to their new community. Thanks to your past donations IWR has provided vital support to 149 people so far in 2026.
Without a significant increase in donations before the end of 2026, we will not be able to provide the same level of support in 2027.
The costs of resettlement and requests for our support have surged due to rollbacks at the federal level that have removed vital support systems including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), housing subsidies, and Medicaid. In addition to their access to these long-standing support programs being taken away, our refugee partners face efforts to cause lapses in their employment authorization, designed to make it as difficult as possible for displaced people to rebuild their lives in the US. We know that when families are supported, they are able to rebuild their lives in this community, because we have seen countless households successfully do exactly that.
“Since arriving in Ithaca, we have continued to grow in every aspect of our lives. We are now more independent and able to set new personal goals each year. Despite the challenges we have faced, we feel more emotionally stable. Our children are adapting well, learning English, and becoming familiar with the culture. We feel that we are part of this wonderful community, and we have made many friends.” -Family of 5 from Central America, arrived in 2023
Being newly arrived in the US as a result of displacement brings specific challenges that disadvantage refugees and immigrants in their pursuit of safe, stable living circumstances. Immigrants who approach us typically arrive with few or no resources, and no community relationships. During their earliest months here, IWR is their touchstone and lifeline.
“After arriving here and thinking that the deep wounds from my home country would never heal, I was able to see a future again and enjoy the small details of life—something I had completely despaired of years ago. The support from IWR and my new community made all the difference. Beyond material help, their moral support, checking in on my needs, teaching me my rights, and helping me build self-confidence made it easy to connect with new people and integrate into the community. This deep care gave me the exact foundation I needed.” – Individual from Western Africa, arrived in 2025
We ask for your support to help us enter 2027 with the financial capacity to support our refugee and immigrant community resettle with dignity. Our goal is to raise $80,000 by the end of 2026. We believe that all refugees in our community deserve access to the same levels of support, care, and commitment that we have provided over the last decade. Please help us navigate these shifts in federal policy and continue to build paths to success and resettlement for all our refugee partners.
Budget at a Glance
- 78% of IWR’s budget goes directly to meet our refugee partners’ needs
- 61% of IWR’s annual budget is made up of individual donations
- 28% of IWR’s budget is made up of awarded grants and government contracts
- 8 – IWR has one full-time staff member, and seven part time staff
Federal Impacts
- 13 countries have had Temporary Protected Status removed by the Trump administration from 2025-2026
- 90,000 people per month are losing eligibility for SNAP due to federal restrictions on non-permanent residents, refugees, and asylum seekers
- 730,000 immigrants in New York State will likely lose Medicaid coverage due to federal funding cuts
Your support helps us provide a range of services to displaced people living in Tompkins County.
- $50 provides Crisis Fund support for a family to use a laundromat for a month
- $260 provides 4 driving lessons to help one adult access work and services
- $565 provides a work permit renewal fee for one adult
- $750 provides a Global Roots scholarship for one child (age 2-5) for one month
- $1,500 provides a housing subsidy to support one month of rent for a family
Please consider becoming a monthly donor to help support our programs on an ongoing basis. To set up a recurring donation please visit ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/DONATE
Keep up to date with IWR news through our blog and newsletter.
Join our email list at ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/newsletter
Yes! I am willing to help support the efforts of Ithaca Welcomes Refugees!
- BY CHECK – Make checks payable to: “Ithaca Welcomes Refugees” – Please mail to: 315 N. Cayuga St. Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- DEBIT/CREDIT – If paying by credit card please donate online at ithacawelcomesrefugees.org/DONATE
- DIGITAL PAYMENT – Make your donation over Venmo, by searching @IthacaWelcomesRefugees
- DONOR ADVISED FUND (DAF) OR EMPLOYER MATCH – Log in to your charitable or employer giving portal and search for Ithaca Welcomes Refugees, or submit our EIN number 82-1987282
All donations are tax deductible.
We appreciate unrestricted donations that allow us to meet refugees’ needs as they arise.
Photograph by Sara Tro Photography. May 2026
