IFS AMERICAS
Who We Are
IFS Americas unites settlement houses and place-based community organizations across the region to connect, learn, and collaborate on shared social challenges and opportunities. As part of the International Federation of Settlement Houses and Neighborhood Centers (IFS), we contribute to a global movement dedicated to strengthening communities through shared knowledge, collaboration, and social action.
Our Mission
Across North America, organizations are navigating complex and evolving realities, including community safety, migration, funding pressures, and increasing social polarization. IFS Americas provides a space for these experiences to be shared, reflected on, and explored collectively. This allows practitioners to learn from one another while staying grounded in their local contexts.
What We Do
We foster ongoing exchange through:
- Regional conversations and events
- Peer learning opportunities
- Webinars and virtual panel discussions
- Connections between organizations working in similar environments
These interactions surface practical approaches, highlight innovative work happening across communities, and strengthen relationships among community workers.
Connecting Local and Global Perspectives
IFS Americas links local practice to a broader international perspective. Through the wider IFS network, members join a global community committed to social justice, inclusion, and community development. This creates opportunities to engage in international dialogue, access diverse experiences, and contribute to shared advocacy efforts.
Highlights from 2025
In 2025, the IFS Americas committee hosted three webinars as part of the series “Neighborhood Centers: Community Living Room Conversations”. These sessions featured special guests and speakers from various organizations and explored themes such as:
- Future of Democracy: Building a Beloved Community
- Neighborhood Centers and The Future of Democracy: Places of Courage in Movement Building
- Celebrating Community Power Across the Americas through Mutual Aid, Relational Building/Networking, and Formal Advocacy
Looking Ahead to 2026
Our current efforts focus on:
- Hosting a series of webinars and panel discussions throughout the year
- Strengthening connections across the region
- Expanding participation beyond the existing network
- Supporting meaningful and sustained engagement between organizations
The 2026 virtual webinars will focus on practical solutions to current challenges, informed by listening to members, understanding their needs, and creating spaces where collaboration can grow in relevant and impactful ways.
Join Us
IFS Americas continues to evolve as a network shaped by the people and communities it brings together. We offer a platform for connection, reflection, and shared learning, grounded in the belief that stronger relationships between organizations lead to stronger communities.
While current active members are based in North America and events are held in English, organizations from Central and South America are warmly invited to join.
For more information, please contact ifsamericas@goddard.org
