On Saturday, June 13, Ithaca Welcome Refugees hosted our annual Community Picnic at the Large Pavilion in Stewart Park. It was a beautiful day, with the sun out, fluffy clouds against a blue sky, and a cool breeze flowing through the pavilion.
Cornell Cooperative Extension had set up a craft table in front of the pavilion, laid out with bubbles, chalk, and hand puppets. A handful of kids kicked a soccer ball back and forth, fitting with the 2026 FIFA World Cup commencing just two days before. Others played hide-and-seek and bounced a beach ball around on a blanket. Inside, a Welcome Table had name tags and markers for attendees. Green and teal balloons lined the walls and picnic tables, and volunteers had set up an array of food trays in the back, altogether creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Shortly before the event, Jorge Cuevas from Alternatives FCU began a workshop on building credit in the United States. IWR’s refugee partners listened intently as interpreters translated the presentation into Dari, Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Ukrainian. Attendees came away from the workshop with increased financial literacy; although one partner had worked in a bank in their home country, credit is more a basis of financial health in the US than it was back home.
After the workshop, the band Village Swing began playing a fun and lively tune, with Wayne Gottlieb and Harry Aceto on guitar, and Brian Earle on clarinet. Some attendees were inspired to dance along! In total, over 50 community members, including IWR’s refugee partners, staff and board members, and volunteers, were present to enjoy the festivities.
Kadhim Owayez, IWR’s Housing and Food Security Coordinator, noted that this event allowed people to “get to know each other, share resources, and learn from one another.” He seemed to watch the crowd with quiet pride. Similarly, Nathaly Flores, an IWR volunteer Spanish interpreter, reflected on what this event means to her: “It’s a way to build community and see how people from different backgrounds and cultures share with each other.” Volunteering with IWR in her free time, Nathaly is from Ecuador and works as an immigration paralegal in Ithaca. “I’m trying to avoid them having to go through what I did when I first got here,” she explained.
Chatter was constant during the event as guests caught up with one another. One volunteer was brimming with excitement as she mentioned four bags of newborn clothes she’d washed in preparation for a newborn in the community. Attendees enjoyed a view of Cayuga Lake as they mingled and savored the food, which included hot catering from Lev Kitchen and cultural dishes brought by community members. These dishes ranged from Ukrainian pierogies and phyllo pie, to lentil salad and deviled eggs. Desserts were also varied, with mandarin pineapple summer cake, traditional Nicaraguan picos de coco, and chocolate banana bread, just to name a few. Wegmans supported IWR with a gift card which was used to purchase plates, cutlery, and popsicles for the event.
IWR’s Executive Director Casey Verderosa announced farewell to our departing Development Director Leila Wilmers and Community Support Specialist Molly Alexander, who are moving on from their roles at IWR. A chocolate cake was presented in their honor, which was finished by the end of the celebration.
As the event was coming to a close, Leigh Bacher, IWR’s Programs Coordinator, encouraged kids to each take a balloon home. “IWR is filled with lovely people from top to bottom,” she remarked while cleaning up. “We still welcome those in our community even after they establish themselves. Some families here today have been with us for over 2 years.” Some families took leftover food home as they trickled out. IWR’s photographer volunteer, Dave Blanton, was spotted kicking a soccer ball around with a few kids down to the last minute.
On this festive spring day, IWR families, volunteers, and staff alike were able to celebrate community and enjoy each other’s company.
