4/29/2020 Staying Strong Together

Staying Strong Together

Against the backdrop of COVID-19, our global community perserveres. Whether you
are in Iowa or Italy, I hope you are adapting to the unexpected sea of change. IIC
has also experienced our own unexpected changes. In the last six weeks at IIC,
seven international visitor delegations have been canceled and in-person
interpretation appointments have dropped by 60%. Our revenues have experienced
a corresponding and dramatic decline. But there are glimmers of hope thanks to
you. Among them: IIC was able to quickly move ESL classes online. The Emergency
& Housing Interpretation hotlines continue to provide connections for non-English
speakers and vital services. And more importantly, we are making future plans,
beginning with opening the nomination process for the 2020 Passport to Prosperity
Honorees, who will be celebrated in September.

Read on. In this newsletter you’ll find a recap of how IIC programs have been
impacted, shifted and continue to serve, thanks to your support. Stay strong, take
care, and be kind.

Warm regards

Patricia Grote, Executive Director

Nominations now Open for 2020 Passport to

Prosperity
Iowa International Center invites you to nominate an outstanding immigrant or
refugee who has made a significant positive difference to the quality of life in Iowa.
Selected honorees will be recognized at the Passport to Prosperity gala this fall.
Nominations can be submitted online here or email
kbailey@iowainternationalcenter.org for more information.

Nominations are due Friday, May 15th.

Thank you for taking the time to honor someone who has given and overcome so
much to become an exemplary citizen.

Meet our new Director of Philanthropy and Donor

Management

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4/29/2020 Staying Strong Together

We would like to introduce our new Director of Philanthropy and Donor

Management, Kassi Bailey. Kassi has been fulltime with IIC for the past month and is
excited about joining our team. During this time we would typically be setting
up meetings with all of our wonderful supporters, instead we will have to be creative
and set up virtual coffee meetings. Kassi is excited to meet everyone and feel free to
reach out yourself by emailing her at kbailey@iowainternationalcenter.org.

Program Updates
ELL Classes now Virtual
ELL classes are now available online. If you would like to participate in
these virtual ELL classes or more information please contact Marissa at
mbogue@iowainternationalcenter.org.

24/7 Emergency Hotline and 24/7 Housing Hotline are Available

Please share the hotlines with those that may need these services,
especially during these changing times. Both hotlines provide free phone
interpretation in over 180 languages for emergency or housing situations.
These services are offered for emergency personnel (ex: police, fire,
paramedic, ER, domestic violence shelters), landlords, and tenants.
 

Translation and Interpretation Services

IIC will continue to offer Translation and Interpretation services. IIC

continues to receive interpretation requests from our clients, but we are
aware of the necessity that all providers, interpreters, and patients/clients
remain safe and healthy. We are working with our interpreters to follow all
CDC guidelines for in person meetings. IIC is able to provide in person or
phone interpretation along with our document translation services.

If you have any questions please contact

translation@iowainternationalcenter.org or 515-282-8269 x16

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4/29/2020 Staying Strong Together

International Visitor Delegations

All international visitor delegations have been postponed for the
next 60 days. IIC will keep our volunteers and professional hosts
updated as we look to schedule future visits.

If you have any questions please contact info@iowainternationalcenter.org

Covid-19 Resources
Here are some great links for resources about COVID-19:

EMBARC Crisis Hotline (available in 6 languages)

CDC resources in multiple languages

Resources in multiple languages (Switchboard)

Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa

Moving Forward
As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, IIC counts on your support to be able to
offer our programs to the community. IIC is already seeing a large loss of funding
and we anticipate the potential for this negative impact to continue.

How you can help:

Give a Gift:Please consider giving during this time to help us remove language
barriers in our community.
$75 – This is equal to hosting a dinner for our international guests
during their visit.
$120 – Provides 2 hours of language interpretation for emergency
personnel to communicate in a health crisis.
$300 – Provides 10 hours of ELL teaching, now offered online to
our students.

Spread the Word: Help IIC spread the word of our Emergency and Housing
Hotlines. The more people that know of this resource the more people we can
help during these uncertain times.

Be Kind: Keep being kind to each other. These are interesting times but
together we can navigate through it.
Thank you for making a difference.

Connect with us!

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4/29/2020 Staying Strong Together

Please visit iowainternationalcenter.org for organizational news, event listings, program

information, interpretation and translation resources, volunteer opportunities and more!

Our WelcometoIowa page has a complete listing of resources for new Iowans in 100 languages
online.

Iowa International Center

3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 259,
Des Moines IA 50310
Phone 515-282-8269 | Fax 515-282-0454
Open M - F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m

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Iowa International Center

3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 259
Des Moines, Iowa 50310
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