Founded in 2003, Iskashitaa Refugee Network is an intergenerational network of volunteers and UN refugees who locate, harvest, and re-distribute local produce which would otherwise go to waste.

We strive to empower newly arrived refugees by connecting them with meaningful resources and great opportunities to interact with other members of the Southern Arizona community.

We assist United Nations refugees and asylum seekers who have been resettled in Tucson from over 35 ethnic groups across Africa, Asia,  the Middle East and Latin America.  

We assist refugees with self-sufficiency, community connections, education, entrepreneurship, applied English, and civic engagement through our shared language of food.

For over 20  years, and with the help of over hundreds of community volunteers, we’ve used innovative food-based programming to empower underserved communities to develop the skills necessary to grow towards deeper community integration.

Iskashitaa has been recognized locally, nationally and internationally for our work in promoting local food resources and empowering refugees. 

Awards include:

-2019-2020 Tucson Public Voices Fellowship, Woman’s Foundation of Southern Arizona 

-Silver Spoon Award

-2014 Marmis Foundation Humanitarian Award, the Jewish Federation of Southern, AZ

-2011 Hon Kachina award for increasing volunteerism in AZ

-2008 First Prize, White House Portrait of Compassion video national contest

-2008 Presenter White House Round Table discussion, New Citizen’s Day. Presentation of an innovative model to help new Americans acculturate.

-National Finalist in Community for Sustainable Food

-The Baha’i William Sear’s “Vision in Action Award”

-National Garden Crusader Award for Feeding the Hungry

-Church Women United's Human Rights Award

-YWCA Women on the Move Award

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