Resources for Refugees

If you are a newcomer to the United States and to Tompkins County, you may find some of the resources listed below to be useful.

English Language Learning

• Open Doors English provides English classes
• Tompkins Learning Partners provides English tutoring
• TST BOCES ESL provides English classes

Help Signing up for Public Benefits

• Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga – Immigrant Support Services Program

Food Assistance

• SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families. Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income and other factors. Use tompkins-opportunity.org to find volunteer, training or educational opportunities that count toward the federally mandated SNAP ABAWD work requirement
• Loaves & Fishes offers free weekly lunches (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday) and dinner (Tuesday & Thursday) at St. Johns Church on Cayuga St. every week throughout the year.
• Food Pantries – The Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County maintains an updated schedule of area food pantries and warm meals, along with a map showing where to find these resources. 
• Food Sharing Cabinets – Mutual Aid Tompkins – Blue cabinets are located across Tompkins County. Cabinets are filled with groceries by community members, help yourself to any food items in any cabinet. Check the map at this link for locations. 
• No Más Lágrimas – No More Tears – Free food giveway every Thursday from 4-6pm at the Henry St. John Building on South Geneva St.

Clothing

• Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga offers free clothing monthly through its clothing closet based on income. Appointment required
• Women’s Opportunity Center offers free clothing for job interviews and accepts donations for clothing in its Opportunity Boutique on North Tioga St.
• Finger Lakes ReUse sells clothing and a wide variety of other previously-owned items at low cost and operates a winter coat drive each fall. Individuals and families working with Ithaca Welcomes Refugees may request a voucher to purchase items.
• Angel Closet – is hosted twice per year (Spring & Fall) and all clothing and household goods are offered for free to everyone. Hosted by Calvary Baptist Church on Bradley Street in Trumansburg.

Baby & Children’s Clothing & Supplies

• Mama Goose/Jillians Drawers on W. Clinton St. sells maternity clothing, and childrens clothes and toys. Families working with Ithaca Welcomes Refugees may request a voucher to purchase items. 
• First Unitarian Society of Ithaca Babies First – Free baby and toddler equipment. Available by appointment.
• Catholic Charities – Samaritan Closet – Offers 1 bag of diapers per child every 2 months