ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — Open Doors English has a goal to raise $250,000 each year over the course of three years to be able to keep their programs accessible for those who need them.

Up until now, the organization’s fundraising efforts have been reliant on word of mouth and grants. Both out of necessity and a want to change, their new way of fundraising is more direct and involves inviting donors to be part of the campaign. The language they use to reach out to donors is as follows:

“In our recently changed political landscape, supporting ODE is a unique, concrete opportunity to help immigrants feel safe, cared for and appreciated. A three-year pledge would help us achieve our goals while we continue to provide a safe space for immigrants in Ithaca. Our students are brave, fun, curious, hardworking and inspiring. Many of them come from countries torn by war or governmental collapse and have experienced trauma. Your pledge would help us support them in their new lives here in the Ithaca area.”

The campaign builds on three threads of the organization’s values; community, access, and a safe place where students feel like they belong. Creating a sense of togetherness within the school and among students and teachers, ensuring accessibility to the organization’s services, and making sure the school is a safe place for those who came from countries in turmoil are all equally important to those at Open Doors English.

“All of our students are adults and really form strong bonds with each other as they move throughout the school and learn together. They help each other out and look out for each other. They come from different circumstances, different countries, different cultures, different abilities… but being in class together gives them a commonality they wouldn’t have had otherwise,” ODE Educator Mary Loehr says.

Raising $250,000 a year would help ODE to expand classroom instruction hours, expand case management services, provide ongoing support for students in crisis and/or coping with trauma, and budget stability.

“Getting a better handle on what to expect year-to-year financially would let us plan out further what we want to accomplish in a given year. More stability means more services for students to be able to rely on. Helping organizations that provide direct services like ours is one of the best ways to magnify impact, helping direct services helps us all,” says ODE Project Co-Director Liz Susmann.

A short film for potential donors promoting the campaign and its intended uses is another way ODE is getting the word out there, with a planned public screening being held on Saturday, March 29th.

Interested in contributing to Open Doors English? Find a link to pledge form for folks who want to make a pledge here, a link to donate to ODE here, and general information as well as how to volunteer on their website here.