In 2013, a group of former refugees decided to formalize what they had each been doing as individuals—serving as “pathfinders” to newly arrived refugees in Iowa and offering everything from transportation services to basic living necessities to interpretation support during appointments. These pathfinders have made a commitment to “preserve our languages and cultures, understand our strengths, and
leave a positive mark in history.” Part of this commitment means helping other refugees reach their highest potential in a new and unfamiliar environment. The Refugee and Immigrant Association gained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2015. Today, we leverage existing informal refugee networks to make sure families from various countries know where to go for questions and support. We take pride in being an Association founded and partially led by former refugees, as we feel this allows us to target our services to meet the greatest need.
