Our Mission

The International Refugee Women's Center (IWRC) empowers refugees and individuals experiencing displacement through literacy programs that foster knowledge, resilience, and personal growth. By offering trauma-informed, technology-driven services in language learning, workforce preparation, and cultural literacy, we help participants overcome barriers, achieve their goals, and build a brighter future.

LGBTQIA+ Statement of Support

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As an organization deeply dedicated to providing educational and community-building programming for refugees and immigrants, we affirm our unwavering commitment to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. We firmly believe that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, have the inalienable right to live with dignity, respect, and equality.

We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community and deeply understand the unique and often harrowing challenges LGBTQIA+ refugees and immigrants face. We are acutely aware that many individuals in this community have endured discrimination, persecution, and violence in their home countries and may continue to face similar challenges in their new host communities.

Therefore, we are unwavering in our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ refugees and immigrants. We do this through our programming, services, and the continued education of our team and volunteers regarding the ever-changing needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals. We will work to provide resources and support that address the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals, including access to information, education, and community-building opportunities.

We will continue advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promote acceptance and understanding within our organization and communities. We recognize that promoting LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusion is essential to our work in promoting social and economic integration, protecting human rights and dignity, and contributing to society's overall well-being and prosperity.

We are an ally and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all individuals, including refugees and immigrants, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Learn More About IWRC

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  • All of IWRC's educational programming is presented in a hybrid manner. Participants can attend classes, workshops, and one-on-one sessions in person, synchronously streamed online, or watched online at a later date. This hybrid approach relieves issues of transportation, childcare, work schedules, accessibility, and more. To serve one another best, we aim to present nimble programming that is responsive to the lives of our participants, volunteers, and staff.

    Click here to learn more about IWRC’s programming.

  • Terminology is vital to understanding the context and legal distinctions between refugees and immigrants. Although the general public often uses these terms interchangeably, there are crucial distinctions between "refugee," "immigrant," etc. Learning the technical terms and their definitions is essential in understanding the legal rights of refugees and preventing the spread of misinformation.

    Click here to learn more about the legal terminology used by IWRC.

  • "The Whys" is a deep dive into IWRC's mission, participants, and programming.

    Click here to learn more about IWRC’s mission and the participants we serve.

Meet Our Team

Iryna Skubchenko
Development Consultant (she/her)

Elizabeth Levoy
Board of Directors | President (she/her)

Natalya Zernitskaya
Board of Directors | Secretary (she/her)

Kate Nelischer
Board of Directors | Treasurer (she/her)

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Doaa Rashed
Board of Directors | Director-at-Large (she/her)

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Sheena Laine Honeycutt
Director of Art & Digital Media (she/her)

Katie Callahan Neginskiy
Founder | Director
(she/her)

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