Iowa WINS (Iowa Welcomes Immigrant Neighbors)

Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Commission

Wednesday, April 4th at 7:00 PM

OUR VISION:

That the greater Mount Pleasant community would be an inclusive and hospitable community that welcomes people from across the world looking for a new home.

In order to achieve that vision, the MISSION OF IowaWINs is to:

  • Identify the issues that newcomers face here, to provide solutions and help integrate them with the community at large.
  • Build relationships among the diverse members of our community.
  • Build and maintain the infrastructures and sustainable programs that improve opportunity and services now and for future generations of immigrants.
  • Provide educational and cultural outlets to the community to learn more about the people (and their needs) who come to Mount Pleasant.

Minutes

In attendance: Claudia Streeter, Ed Kropa,Jeff Fager, Joanne McCabe, Sam Riepe, Trey Hager, Tammy Shull

Agenda

  • Bystander Intervention Training
  • Jeff Fager and Tammy Shull will facilitate four sessions at Iowa Wesleyan involving two psychology classes.
  • International Potluck at IW - Sunday, April 8, 5:00 p.m., Social Hall in the Student Center
  • Many thanks to Emery Styron who wrote and issued the press releases for this event
  • First Presbyterian Church purchased the paper products (plastic tablecloths, paper plates, plastic utensils) and we will split the cost between IowaWINs and the youth/children programs.
  • First Presbyterian provided the sound system for the event and IW provided their projection system
  • Claudia worked with the International Students at IW to help with the Quilt Block painting
  • IW will have tables set up in advance and we just need to put on tablecloths and prepare the food tables
  • Joanne McCabe provided the containers for water and lemonade
  • Also bring duct tape, power strips and extension cords
  • Refugee Simulation
  • Trial Run - Tuesday, April 10 at 2:25 pm at IW – Sam and Jeff to participate
  • Sol Varisco, the Executive Director of IowaJFON (Justice for our Neighbors), will come to Mount Pleasant next Friday, April 6 to meet with the planners of the Refugee Simulation at 3 pm. Voted to contribute $100 to JFON as part of our event sponsorship. Claudia, Jeff, Sam and Pastor Trey will attend to present. Sam will connect with Joy Lapp to see if we should contact Mt. Pleasant News for coverage.
  • Student/Community Refugee Simulation Event - Sunday, April 15th from 2-4 PM at IW Social Hall
  • Immigration 202 – AFS program – Erica Johnson from AFS in the Des Moines area can travel here to present the program – after discussion the group decided not to move forward with a May date for this program and select another date this summer.
  • Status on SF481 – Thanks to many of you who contacted Rep. Heaton who has affirmed that he does not support this bill. (Afterward: It is sad to say the bill did pass the Senate and the Governor has signed the bill into law.)

Next meeting: Wednesday, May 9that 7:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.

Thanks,

Tammy Shull