About Us

Ads-Up volunteers share a birthday meal with refugees in New York, 2019.

Ads-Up USA is a network of Aussies and allies in the United States and around the world who are working to support the 1,250 refugees being resettled in America under the US-Australia refugee deal.

"Aussies in the USA know what it’s like to be a stranger here and to build a life from scratch, so there’s always an instant point of connection.” – Ads-Up Co-Founder Ben Winsor

What initially started as a project to buddy new arrivals with Aussie ex-pats in their cities has grown significantly after the team discovered how many refugees had been abandoned by caseworkers and let down by a threadbare support system, ravaged by cuts under the Trump administration.

The Ads-Up USA Refugee Network has now directly assisted over 300 refugees and counts over 100 active volunteers and 3,000 external supporters. Along with educational grants and welcome packs, the group continues to provide emergency housing, health and dental assistance and has significantly expanded its support operations as a result of the COVID-19 health and economic crisis.

Who Are We?

Ben Winsor and Fleur wood in New York, 2018.

Ads-Up was co-founded in early 2018 by Fleur Wood and Ben Winsor. Fleur is based in New York, Ben is based in Washington DC. April Tafe is employed as the Ads-Up Refugee Network’s volunteer and refugee support coordinator.

Ben Winsor is a former SBS journalist who has previously worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the International Criminal Court in The Hague. He currently works in political advocacy.

Fleur Wood is a former Australian fashion designer and author. She was a founding advocate for Human Rights Watch Australia and worked as a volunteer in India for the Tibetan exile government.