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Humanities Iowa awarded ICFRC a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to complete a series focused on Iowa refugees and immigrants from December 1, 2021, to August 30, 2022.
The series raised voices and shared the stories of refugees and immigrants who come to Iowa through six free public education programs with expert speakers presenting programs that gave Iowa communities a deeper understanding of:
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The cultures and countries of the refugees and immigrants they meet and about whom they learn.
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The lived experiences of immigrants and refugees in Iowa.
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How organizations led by immigrants and refugees, ethnic community-based organizations, function and how to work effectively with them.
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How government agencies, non-profit organizations, employers, and others are responding to the Afghan refugee crisis, and how the stories of refugees and immigrants can lead to more effective public policy.
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How engaging with refugees and immigrants can not only increase our empathy and understanding but can benefit and help our communities to thrive as diverse people living together.
Refugees and Immigrants in Iowa
December 8, 2021
Online
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Dr. Peter Gerlach, Project Director for the Refugees and Immigrants in Iowa series, introduced the inspiration and objectives for and provided an overview of its six programs. The new thematic-based ICFRC program lineup was partly shaped by and will benefit from a UI service-learning course Gerlach teaches. In this opening session to the organization’s first grant-funded project, Gerlach emphasized that the series would show how every person’s humanity, their voice, and their story matters. Standing with and following the lead of refugees and immigrants promises lessons in resilience, a world of new perspectives, the mutual desire to create “home,” and the kinds of values, skills, ideas, and talents that will ensure new and sustainable areas of innovation across the state for decades to come. Indeed, this collective spirit is growing. And it is an inspired vision for Iowa’s future!
Speaker:
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Peter Gerlach – ICFRC Board Member
Resettling Afghan Refugees in Iowa
December 16, 2021
Online
Since Governor Robert Ray welcomed Southeast Asian refugees in the 1970s, Iowa has remained a leader in refugee resettlement. In response to the Afghan crisis, the state committed to receiving nearly 700 individuals fleeing conflict. This panel explored the global refugee process, Iowa’s immigration history, and local efforts to support Afghan arrivals. Speakers offered insights and next steps for community members seeking to welcome and assist refugees in Iowa and beyond.
Speakers:
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Mak Suceska – Bureau Chief, Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services; State Refugee Coordinator, Office of Refugee Resettlement
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Sara Zejnic – Director of Refugee & Immigrant Services, Catherine McAuley Center
Life in Iowa as a Refugee and Immigrant
January 19, 2022
Online
This panel provided insight into Iowa’s leadership in refugee resettlement, past and present. Speakers discussed the state’s response to the Afghan refugee crisis, shared personal and professional perspectives, and explored how individuals and communities can support refugees in Iowa. The session served as a call to action, inviting attendees to engage in creating a more welcoming state.
Speakers:
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Mak Suceska – Bureau Chief, Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services; State Refugee Coordinator, Office of Refugee Resettlement
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Sara Zejnic – Director of Refugee & Immigrant Services, Catherine McAuley Center
How Covid-19 has Impacted Refugees and Immigrants in Iowa
February 9, 2022
Online
This panel examined the compounded health and wellness challenges refugees and immigrants faced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iowa. Speakers shared perspectives from clinical care, mental health, language access, and community advocacy, highlighting the unique impacts of the pandemic and the derecho storm on newly arrived Iowans. The session emphasized the importance of equitable healthcare, access to reliable information, and culturally informed support systems.
Speakers:
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Dr. Erin Hayward – Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics; Medical Director, International Family Medicine Clinic
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Adrián Silva – Lead Medical Interpreter, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and Stead Family Children’s Hospital
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Lata D'Mello – Director of Programs, Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity
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Alyssa Clayden – Mental Health Therapist, Community Educator, and Researcher; Founder, community-based mental health agency serving refugee and immigrant communities
Area Refugees and Immigrants in Pursuit of Higher Education
March 23, 2022
Online
This panel explored the challenges and opportunities refugee and immigrant students face in accessing and navigating higher education in Iowa. Speakers shared firsthand experiences and discussed support systems that help students apply to, enroll in, and thrive at colleges and universities across the state. The conversation highlighted the value of culturally diverse voices in enriching learning communities.
Speakers:
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Mallory Petsche – Director, TRIO Student Support Services – ESL Program, Kirkwood Community College
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Rocio Lopez Riveros – Student, Kirkwood Community College; TRIO Program Ambassador
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Dr. Anne Kiche – Adjunct Assistant Professor, Global Health Studies Program, University of Iowa; Adjunct Instructor, English Language Acquisition, Kirkwood Community College
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Vinh Nguyen – Refugee Education Coordinator, Lutheran Services in Iowa; Former Educator, Des Moines Public Schools
Writing and Reading About The Refugee and Immigrant Experience
April 13, 2022
Online
This panel featured immigrant and refugee writers reflecting on the power of storytelling to foster empathy, challenge stereotypes, and humanize migration. Panelists shared how writing their personal narratives has shaped their understanding of identity and community, and offered insights into the craft of telling migration stories in Iowa and beyond.
Speakers:
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Jesus “Chuy” Renteria – Author, We Heard It When We Were Young; Assistant Director, Inclusive Education and Strategic Initiatives, University of Iowa
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Andrea Wilson – Founder and Executive Director, Iowa Writers’ House; Editor, We the Interwoven
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Antonia Rivera – Writer; Staff Member, Grassroots Law Project
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Eyad Said – Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Mount Mercy University
Refugees and Immigrants - How Their Stories and Experiences Inform Public Policy
May 4, 2022
Online
This closing session of the Refugees and Immigrants in Iowa series focused on the evolving role of refugees and immigrants in shaping local policies and perceptions of diversity across Iowa. Panelists shared insights from small towns and cities, highlighting how inclusive leadership, community planning, and storytelling are transforming Iowa into a more welcoming state.
Speakers:
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Art Cullen – Editor, The Storm Lake Times; Author, Storm Lake: A Chronicle of Change, Resilience, and Hope from a Heartland Newspaper
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Caleb Knutson – Former City Planner, Marshalltown; Co-Chair, Iowa APA DEI Committee; Member, Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs and Empower Rural Iowa Task Force
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Dr. Cristina Ortiz – Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of Minnesota Morris
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Cara McFerren – Business Owner; Artist; City Council Member, West Liberty, Iowa
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