Meet Grace

Grace Dar Lin is a RISE AmeriCorps member with the City of Ottumwa, Iowa.

​Grace was born in Myanmar and moved to a refugee camp in Thailand when she was eight years old. Her family came to the United States in 2018. She is currently a student at Indian Hills Community College.

Grace decided to join this program because she enjoys working with a diverse population, community, especially with refugees and youth.

Having immigrated to the U.S. as a refugee, Grace understands how hard it is to start a new life in this country for a new refugee family. This is why she wants to help refugee families so they won't have to experience the same challenges and barriers. 

"Due to language and cultural barriers, it can be difficult and time-consuming to be self-sufficient," Grace explains.

In the future, Grace hopes to return to Myanmar and Thailand to volunteer and help people achieve their dreams.