It’s the start of the school year and Global Roots Play School is once again opening wide its doors to refugee and immigrant families with young children!

The play school offers a supportive space for the whole family, where all generations can find community and connect with others. Children aged 18 months to 5 years enjoy play-based, trauma-informed care. Parents can stay close by, get to know other parents and staff, and use the time as they need. The play school hours align with English language classes at Open Doors English nearby, making it easy for parents to enroll. For those finding their feet in a new country, knowing their children are in safe hands means having the breathing space to attend to the family’s needs and manage the challenges of getting settled. You can learn more about the play school and how it first began in this article: Global Roots Play School: A Soft Place to Land.

Our goal is for Global Roots to be accessible to all new arrivals. To this end, we offer free or heavily subsidized care to most of the children. Last year 92% of children enrolled were recently arrived refugees and all of them received scholarships.

We depend on the generosity of community members and local groups to keep Global Roots affordable and inclusive.

As we head into a new school year, please donate to help us welcome new arrivals into this nurturing community!

Ways you can help

1)      Donate

Use the MAKE A DONATION button OR send a check made payable to Ithaca Welcomes Refugees, with "GRPS" in the memo, to: Ithaca Welcomes Refugees, 315 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca NY 14850.

2)     Spread the word

Use the SHARE button to post a notice about the campaign on your social media page OR copy the page address into an email or text to your contacts.

3)     Start a fundraiser

Join our fundraising champions! Use the START FUNDRAISING button to create your own linked fundraising page as part of this campaign and set a target of your choosing. You will receive suggested content and simple instructions for editing your page and encouraging your networks to help reach your goal. For an offline fundraiser or for any questions, contact IWR Development Director Leila Wilmers at [email protected]

Want to fundraise with your kids and need inspiration? Below are some activity fundraiser ideas to consider! You can direct sponsors to your fundraising page or collect donations offline.

• Read-a-thon
• Volunteer chores auction
• Cookie decorating contest
• Popcorn sale
• Car wash
• Dog walking fundraiser
• Sponsored wacky costume day
• Home-crafted fashion show

Notes from our supporters

"The critically important mission of the Global Roots Play School (GRPS) is to provide childcare for refugees and immigrants. This creates new possibilities, not least for parents learning English as a second language to attend classes.  Please join me in supporting GRPS to keep this affordable."    Art Pearce

"I began supporting Global Roots when I found out about the welcoming environment they create in our community for refugee and immigrant families. By providing affordable, high-quality childcare for newcomers (and other community members) Global Roots ensures that parents can access essential English language classes and get the family settled while their children receive nurturing, culturally-sensitive care. I support Global Roots as a way to ensure an inclusive, interconnected community where all families can thrive."    Emma Hewitt

“By supporting Global Roots Play School, you help empower immigrant and refugee families in our community! GPRS creates a place for children from all over the world to build community and play together, and it unlocks opportunities for parents - especially mothers - to attend English classes and pursue new opportunities for themselves. Join us in making a difference—your support will help open doors for families eager to thrive!”              Ashley Meeder