~ IMPORTANT UPDATE – 03.20.2020 ~
EMBARC has launched a crisis response website for the COVID-19 pandemic,
with developing information available in several languages.
Click here to continue to the site.
​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.

​RISE Together
​EMBARC launched their RISE 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 100 RISE AmeriCorps members complete a RISE service term each year.
​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
RISE 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.

RISE Host Sites (past & present)

          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
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 RISE AmeriCorps in 2015.