Refugees in Iowa
Over the past 10 years, more than 18,000 refugees have resettled directly to Iowa. While they have reached safety from persecution and refugee camps, they now face a different set of challenges. Families receive little support as they transition to their new lives as Iowans. Finding a job, enrolling in school, or accessing existing resources can be insurmountable challenges due to language and cultural barriers.
Over the past 10 years, more than 18,000 refugees have resettled directly to Iowa. While they have reached safety from persecution and refugee camps, they now face a different set of challenges. Families receive little support as they transition to their new lives as Iowans. Finding a job, enrolling in school, or accessing existing resources can be insurmountable challenges due to language and cultural barriers.
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RISE Together EMBARC launched their RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps program in 2015, with a focus on increasing economic self-sufficiency, job readiness, and community engagement of individuals who came to the U.S. as refugees. Up to 70 RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps members complete a RefugeeRISE service term each year. |
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Power of Teamwork
RISE uses a paired team approach, to leverage members' diverse experiences, perspectives and strengths to facilitate inclusion and integration. Members serve in teams: one member from the newcomer refugee community, and one member from the receiving community work together to help empower refugees in their community, |
Stronger Iowa
RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps Members serve at select nonprofits and workforce agencies across the state, empowering refugees to access services, build workforce readiness skills, and gain economic empowerment.
RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps Members serve at select nonprofits and workforce agencies across the state, empowering refugees to access services, build workforce readiness skills, and gain economic empowerment.
RefugeeRISE Host Sites (past & present)
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The Bridge of Storm Lake
Catholic Charities Catherine McAuley Center City of Columbus Junction Des Moines Area Community College EMBARC (Waterloo, Des Moines, Marshalltown) Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families Genesis Youth Foundation Greater Des Moines Partnership Iowa City (IC) Compassion |
Iowa Coalition on Domestic Violence
Justice For Our Neighbors Iowa Workforce Development (Sioux City, Des Moines, Ottumwa) Lutheran Services in Iowa (Columbus Junction & Des Moines) Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) Oakridge Neighborhood Services Path of Hope Pi 515 Project Iowa |
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About EMBARC
EMBARC, Iowa’s first refugee-led service provider, is a grassroots community-based organization founded by and for refugees. EMBARC believes real change comes from communities empowered to help themselves and that a high degree of community ownership and participation is essential for sustained self-sufficiency. EMBARC launched RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps in 2015. |
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