Welcome & Essentials

Meeting urgent humanitarian needs for immigrants and asylum seekers.

ICDI's Welcome & Essentials Program

Arriving in a new country can be overwhelming, especially after a long and difficult journey. In those first days and weeks, access to essential items can make a big difference in helping you feel safe and supported.

Through our Welcome and Essentials Program, ICDI staff and volunteers are here to greet you with compassion and care. We provide clothing, hygiene and cleaning products, household goods, baby items, and other essential items.

Access to essential items can make a big difference in helping you feel safe and supported. When you visit our warehouse, you are welcome, you are valued, and you are not alone.

Give To Our Essentials Team wishlist

An up-to-date list of the supplies we need most can be found on our Amazon Wishlist (see below). The supplies are safely delivered directly to our storage unit automatically – the shipping address is already entered.
Our Amazon Wishlist

Donate items on our Wishlist

All donations can only be shipped via Amazon. We do not accept drop-off donations at our office.

Additional Donations

To inquire about additional in-kind donations, please contact the program director, Sarah Ankunda sankunda@icdichicago.org.

How To Support The ICDI Welcome & Essentials Team​​​

There are many ways to support ICDI’s Welcome and Essentials Program, whether you’re interested in donating much-needed items or volunteering your time.

Donate Essential Items

Your donations help ensure newly arrived immigrants have what they need to feel safe and cared for. We currently accept:
  • Diapers
  • New Pillows
  • New or gently used bedsheets
  • New or gently used clothing (sizes Small–Large)
  • Utensils
  • Tennis shoes (women’s sizes 5–11, men’s sizes 7–13)
  • New undergarments and socks
  • New hygiene or cleaning supplies
At this time, we are unable to accept couches or large furniture.
If you’re interested in making a donation or organizing a donation drive, please reach out to hello@icdichicago.org.

Volunteer With Us

Volunteers play a vital role in helping us welcome and support newcomers. Volunteer opportunities may include:
  • Sorting and organizing donated items
  • Supporting special events (such as back-to-school drives)
  • Assisting individuals with shopping at our warehouse
  • Helping with item distribution and drop-offs

If you’re interested in volunteering, email our team at hello@icdichicago.org or visit the ICDI Volunteer page to learn more.

Volunteer Stories

I started volunteering around the time when many immigrant families were being sent to Chicago on buses and I really felt that whatever we could do to help those families, I would like to do. No matter who our neighbors are, if they need support, I think it is our responsibility to do what we can to support them.

– Joanne, Volunteer

I learned about ICDI through a friend at my church. I grew up in a large family, but we always had food on the table and a roof over our head. I feel strongly about helping people who are starting out and who might be having a rough patch. The camaraderie here makes my heart feel good knowing there are other people who care about people living in our communities. I would like more people in the community to know there is a place they can go and feel safe and get clothing and housewares.

– Theresa, Volunteer

We’ve blurred faces in these photos to protect the people we serve and their loved ones. Keeping their identities private allows them to share their stories safely and with dignity.