RISE AMERICORPS
  • Home
  • About RISE
    • Our Mission
    • Our Impact
    • Our AmeriCorps Members >
      • '21-'22 Members
    • Our Host Sites
    • Our Leadership
  • Resources
    • Timesheets
    • For Members >
      • Member Benefits >
        • Health Resources
        • Education Award
        • Living Allowance
        • Loan Forbearance
      • Enrollment and Exit
    • Training Opportunities
    • For Supervisors
    • Reporting
  • Stories
    • Blog
    • In the News
    • Stories App
  • Apply!
    • Become a Member >
      • Why Join RISE?
    • Become a Mentor
    • Become a Host Site
  • Contact RISE

YPN Expands Services to Reach Latino and African Families in Cedar Rapids

2/12/2021

 
Story by Juila DiGiacomo

A Cedar Rapids non-profit with the mission of supporting healthy families and children is innovating their services for Latino and African immigrants. With the recent addition of two AmeriCorps RISE members from these communities, YPN (Young Parents Network) is  developing literacy packets and incorporating group support services for African refugees with young children. 

YPN’s programming targets parents under age 27 and children within the developmentally crucial time period up to age 5. The organization offers a variety of services to create community among young parents and promote self-sufficiency. 

“The services we're able to provide are helping give participants and their young children an opportunity to really grow and thrive as they develop,” YPN Program Manager Meridith Myers says. 

Myers says YPN has been serving the immigrant and refugee communities of Cedar Rapids for years. However she says the new RISE AmeriCorps members have helped the organization to expand its opportunities. 
Picture
RISE AmeriCorps member Maria Barroso has been working diligently with the Hispanic programming staff to provide English literacy packets for children. Bilingual materials in Spanish and English will help parents and children improve their English together. 

Another RISE AmeriCorps member, Orline Makengo, is helping adapt the Thursday night “Parent Café” group for young parents who have resettled from Africa. The virtual meeting features a series of relevant questions to spark discussion among parents, with the intention of fostering self-reflection and learning among peers.  Makengo is working to gear these sessions towards navigating the unique experience of parenting as a refugee from Africa. 

Myers says the goal of Parent Café meetings are to strengthen parents’ “protective factors,” which are characteristics that predict the best outcomes for children while reducing the risk of child abuse. These factors include social connections, a concrete support system, social and emotional competence, knowledge of parenting and child development, and more. 

Many young parents may not have their own natural support system, Myers says, so YPN’s programs like Parent Café are a place where parents of all backgrounds can find support in other participants and program staff. 
​
“‘Parent Café’ is also meant to allow parents to get to know other parents with children of similar ages, who may be  having similar struggles,” Myers says. 

Oakridge RISE Members Lead Community Outreach Efforts in Des Moines' Most Diverse Neighborhood

2/2/2021

 
Story by Julia DiGiacomo
​
Despite unprecedented circumstances, AmeriCorps RISE members at Oakridge Neighborhood Services have adapted to meet the needs of the most culturally diverse neighborhood in Des Moines. Through unemployment assistance, a new English language program, care packages, and more, the RISE members have dedicated their year to serving immigrants and refugees in their community.  

Oakridge Neighborhood’s newest endeavor is an English language learning class at Des Moines Area Community College, which currently serves about 15 students.  Immigrants and refugees from across Des Moines are invited to learn beginner to intermediate-level English skills. Two AmeriCorps RISE members currently serve as teaching assistants for the class’ second session.  Moad Ali, Halima Ali, and an English teacher break the class into three groups according to their language level to practice English constructively. 

Oakridge Neigborhood’s Adult & Family Director Almardi Abdalla says the class is one of the only in-person English classes in the area. Although Oakridge considered an online format, he says barriers with technology in the community interfered. Many students new to the United States lack experience with the internet and computers. Others simply do not have consistent access. 

The class takes place in a large room with social distancing and masks as a health precaution. So far Abdalla says there have been no issues. In fact, attendance has been stellar and many students from the first session re-enrolled for the second. 
​

“People are learning and coming back to class,” Abdalla says. “They’re getting something out of the class so that's why they are investing their time more and more.”

Although the AmeriCorps members provide a variety of direct services, they most consistently help with unemployment assistance. This service entails helping clients file for unemployment or apply for public assistance. In the midst of an economic downturn, Abdalla says these services have been greatly in need.
Picture
The AmeriCorps RISE members have also assisted with multiple giveaways for community members in need, such as food care packages. In the last few weeks, they also gave out COVID-19 and winter clothes care packages to 107 families in the area. 

“I think overall it was a great success and a great experience,” Abdalla says. 

During the initial wave of the pandemic, sharing timely information became another important task to help the community through an uncertain time. Oakridge Neighborhood staff and  AmeriCorps RISE members shared information to groups on Whatsapp. Members helped translate COVID-19 information, such as vaccine news and safety advice. 

“Although the scope of our activities have been limited since COVID-19, [AmeriCorps RISE members] have been a great addition to our efforts to reach out to and help more people in need,” Abdalla says. ​
    View my profile on LinkedIn


    ​About the Blog

    RISE AmeriCorps Members uplift and empower Iowa's refugee and immigrant communities. This blog was created with the intent of sharing these valuable success stories with the public.

    Archives

    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020

    Host Sites

    All
    ArtForce Iowa
    Catherine McAuley Center
    Centro Latino
    Columbus Junction
    Community Youth Concepts
    DREAM Iowa
    EMBARC Des Moines
    EMBARC Waterloo
    Hoover Community School
    IC Compassion
    Jewels Academy
    Kirkwood
    La Luz Centro Cultural
    Latino Community
    Mary Treglia
    Mentorship Program
    Oakridge Neighborhood
    Spanish Helpline
    Tapestry Farms
    YPN

    RSS Feed

Picture
EMBARC | RISE AmeriCorps Program

4801 Franklin Ave.
Suite 1159
Des Moines, IA 50310


515-512-1881
  • Home
  • About RISE
    • Our Mission
    • Our Impact
    • Our AmeriCorps Members >
      • '21-'22 Members
    • Our Host Sites
    • Our Leadership
  • Resources
    • Timesheets
    • For Members >
      • Member Benefits >
        • Health Resources
        • Education Award
        • Living Allowance
        • Loan Forbearance
      • Enrollment and Exit
    • Training Opportunities
    • For Supervisors
    • Reporting
  • Stories
    • Blog
    • In the News
    • Stories App
  • Apply!
    • Become a Member >
      • Why Join RISE?
    • Become a Mentor
    • Become a Host Site
  • Contact RISE