“For those who left family and significant support systems in another country, we’d love to fill that void. Beyond the basics need of learning English, or learning how drive a car, or how to find a sustainable job, the most profound need is friendship. We need community.”
Jackie Leggett Stanley IFN Board Member
Our Mission
IFN’s mission is simple yet profound: to create community and a shared sense of family for internationals in East Tennessee through hospitality, community events, social services, and cultural exchange. We believe that by embracing diversity and fostering meaningful connections, we can make our world feel a little smaller and a lot more welcoming.
Our Vision
Our vision at IFN is to inspire and create a global sense of community by serving internationals both locally and globally. We are committed to connecting East Tennessee to the needs of the nations through local and global relationships. Together, we can make the world a more inclusive and compassionate place.
Find Your New Friends!
At conversations corner you can speak with people from other countries and either improve your English or help a new friend.
Join us on a trip (we love to camp!) or spend a holiday with us. There’s nothing better than adventuring together.
Bridge Refugee Services Partnership
IFN began partnering with Bridge to welcome and assist in the resettlement of those who have had to leave their home countries, creating a nurturing community in Cleveland, TN.
International Friends Network is a diverse group of people who hail from all corners of the world, now residing in Cleveland, TN. We’re here to connect and and foster relationships.
We’re a vibrant and inclusive community that thrives on celebrating life together.