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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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 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 (2015-2021)
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ArtForce Iowa
The Bridge of Storm Lake Catholic Charities Catherine McAuley Center Centro Latino of Iowa City of Columbus Junction Community Youth Concepts Connect 2 Careers Des Moines Area Community College DREAM Iowa EMBARC (Waterloo, Des Moines, Marshalltown) Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families Genesis Youth Foundation Greater Des Moines Partnership Hoover Community School IC Compassion Intercultural Center of Iowa |
Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Iowa Workforce Development (Sioux City, Des Moines, Ottumwa) Jewels Academy Justice for Our Neighbors Kirkwood Community College La Línea de Ayuda (Spanish Helpline) La Luz Centro Cultural Lutheran Services in Iowa (Columbus Junction & Des Moines) Marshalltown Community College Mary J. Treglia Community House Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) Oakridge Neighborhood Services City of Ottumwa Path of Hope Pi 515 Project Iowa Tapestry Farms Young Parents Network |
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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 RISE AmeriCorps in 2015. |
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