Compiled by Amanda Jordan
General Services
CultureAll Connects people with resources such as schools, communities and businesses. Programs are about shifting perspective, discovering new concepts and experiencing differences. cultureall.org
Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families Assists those looking for education, job training and career opportunities through workforce services. evelynkdaviscenter.org
Iowa Civil Rights Commission Law enforcement agency that enforces the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965. icrc.iowa.gov
Iowa Department of Human Services Focuses on helping Iowans achieve healthy, safe, stable and self-sufficient lives. dhs.iowa.gov
IowaWorks Connects job seekers with employment services. iowaworks.gov
Oakridge Neighborhood Creates pathways to success for adults, children and families by providing housing and education and employment programs. oakridgeneighborhood.org
Safe Schools Certification Program Advocates for safe school laws to prevent serious safety incidents. safeschoolcertification.org
Serving the African American Community
Bor Women Association Illuminates the problems and hardships facing the people of South Sudan, particularly women and children. iowalink.com/borwomen.org
Creative Visions Builds stronger lives, families and communities through services centered on self, family and community betterment. creativevisionsia.org
Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans Promotes the interests and well-being of African Americans in Iowa. humanrights.iowa.gov/cas/saa
Urban Dreams Provides human-service programs that break down barriers for underserved and underrepresented populations. urbandreams.org
NAACP Iowa-Nebraska State Conference of Branches Works to ensure racial justice, equality and equity for all. iowanebraskanaacp.org
Serving the Asian Community
Bhutanese Community in Iowa Works for the religious, charitable and educational welfare and the cultural protection of the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese people. bhutaniowa.org
Chinese Association of Iowa Represents the business, economic and community development of the Chinese American community. iowachinese.us
Chinese Cultural Center of America Promotes closer cultural and trade relationships between America and China/Pacific-rim Asia. cccaiowa.org
Filipino-American Association of Iowa Promotes and enhances cultural and heritage awareness as well as fellowship among Filipinos. filamofiowa.org
India Cultural Association of Central Iowa (ICA) Shares India’s secular values and cultural heritage through a variety of activities and programs. icaiowa.org
Indo-American Association of Iowa Focuses on India’s culture and heritage through programs, education and other activities that foster understanding of India’s diversity and rich traditions. iaaiowa.org
Iowa Asian Alliance Unites Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities by promoting economic growth and broader community development. iowaasianalliance.com
Iowa Chinese Language School
Teaches the Chinese language, promotes its culture and creates multicultural environments. iowachineseschool.org
Iowa Nepalese Association Preserves, maintains and facilitates identity, heritage, culture and language. iowanepaleseassociation.org
Japan America Society of Iowa Demonstrates traditional drumming, calligraphy and tea ceremonies at schools and other organizations. japaniowa.org
Korean Cultural Connection of Iowa Brings together Korean and American families and individuals from across Iowa for cultural exchange, education and friendship. facebook.com/kcciowa/
Maharastra Mandal of Iowa
Celebrates traditions and cultures. sites.google.com/site/mmofiowa
Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity Serves victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities in Iowa. monsooniowa.org
Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs Serves economic, social and cultural needs of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. humanrights.iowa.gov/cas/capi
St. Peters Vietnamese Community
in Des Moines Works to minimize the differences between cultures. stpeterdesmoines.org
Tai Studies Center Promotes the welfare and well-being of Tai people, and advocates for intercultural understanding and cooperation in the community. taistudiescenter.org
Thai Association of Iowa Promotes goodwill through civic engagement and celebrates the Thai spirit and traditions. thaiassociationiowa.com
Vietnamese American Community in Iowa Enriches Vietnamese cultural heritage through education and cross-cultural activities. vietnameseiniowa.org
Serving Those With Disabilities
Candeo Serves individuals with autism and Asperger’s, brain injuries, and mental illness; provides home-based rehabilitation and employment opportunities. candeoiowa.org
Central Iowa Chapter for Independent Living Advances independent living through job training, advocacy, transition services and more. cicil.org
ChildServe Improves the health and well-being of children through specialized clinical, home and community-based programs and services. childserve.org
Community Support Advocates Helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness and substance abuse. teamcsa.org
Crest Services Provides residential services to individuals with mental or developmental disabilities or those with traumatic brain injuries. crestservices.org
Easterseals Iowa Supports children and adults with disabilities to promote independence and opportunities. easterseals.com/ia
Eyerly Ball Provides comprehensive mental health services, including crisis, outpatient and residential programs. eyerlyball.org
Goodwill of Central Iowa Helps individuals achieve independence through meaningful employment. dmgoodwill.org
H.O.P.E. (Honoring Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) Serves children and adults with special needs and their families to increase their quality of life. hopeagencydsm.org
Iowa Division of Mental Health and Disability Services Engages in activities that promote a statewide system of high-quality disability-related services. dhs.iowa.gov/mhds
Iowa Home Care Provides quality and cost-effective home health care while keeping clients out of hospitals and institutions. iowahomecare.com
Iowa Office of Persons with Disabilities Promotes employment for Iowans with disabilities by reducing barriers. humanrights.iowa.gov/cas/pd
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services Assists individuals in gaining, retaining and advancing in employment.
ivrs.iowa.gov
Iowa’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Partners with Iowans with disabilities, their families, providers, state and local agencies, and others to improve health and increase community participation. uihc.org/ucedd
Link Associates Serves individuals
with intellectual disabilities as well as their families. linkassociates.org
Mainstream Living Provides housing, medical assistance, employment, counseling, community integration and a variety of other support services. mainstreamliving.org
Mosaic Serves those with mental health needs with a means of independence. mosaicinfo.org/location/mosaic-central-iowa
National Alliance on Mental Illness Offers the tools needed by friends, families and people with mental illness. namiiowa.com
On With Life Focuses on the unique and complex needs of brain injury survivors. onwithlife.org
Optimae LifeServices Offers health care and human services for individuals with disabilities and mental illness. Programs include community-based, behavioral health, home health, rehabilitation and residential care services. optimaelifeservices.com
Progress Industries Helps people with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing training, tools and resources. progressindustries.org
REM Iowa Assists adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other complex challenges through a range of programs, including residential services and day and vocational programs. remiowa.com
Respite Connection Gives a temporary break for parents or guardians caring for a child or adult with a disability, providing both individual and group respite care. respiteconnection.com
The Homestead Serves the needs of people with autism through a variety of strategies.
thehomestead.flywheelsites.com
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Central Iowa Serves individuals and their support networks with tools and resources to cope with mental illness, helping Central Iowans through meetings, support groups, courses and referrals. namici.org
Serving Latinos
Iowa Office of Latino Affairs Serves as an ongoing resource for Iowans of Latino heritage, government agencies, businesses and other entities in the state. humanrights.iowa.gov/cas/la
Latinas al Éxito (LAÉ) Builds the leadership potential of Latinx youth through college preparation, career development, civic engagement, family support and cultural celebration. alexitoiowa.org
Latina Leadership Initiative of Greater Des Moines Focuses on culturally appropriate leadership training for Latina women. latinaleadershipinitiative.org
League of United Latin America Citizens of Iowa Supports Latinx civil rights. lulaciowa.org
Serving the LGBTQ Community
First Friday Breakfast Club Gathers monthly for breakfast, fellowship and a speaker. ffbciowa.org
Human Rights Campaign Advocates for LGBTQ equality and educates the public about LGBTQ issues. hrc.org
Lambda Legal Achieves civil rights for LGBTQ and those living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. lambdalegal.org
Iowa Safe Schools Creates safe, supportive and nurturing learning environments and communities for LGBTQ and allied youths through education, outreach, advocacy and direct services. iowasafeschools.org
One Iowa Focuses on improving the lives of LGBTQ Iowans by protecting and advancing equality and inclusiveness through education, improving workplace culture, and increasing access to quality health care. oneiowa.org
Out Networking Presents year-round events focused on business, culture, community and philanthropic subjects. outofboxproductions.com/out.html
Serving Native Americans
White Eagle Multicultural Pow Wow Brings the community together and celebrates differences through music, dance, food and storytelling.
facebook.com/whiteeaglepowwow
Iowa Department of Human Rights: Office of Native American Affairs Works with state agencies to serve the needs of Native Americans in participating fully in the economic, social and cultural life of the state. humanrights.iowa.gov/cas/na
Serving Immigrants and Refugees
Bureau of Refugee Services Helps refugees who’ve been in the country for less than 60 months.
dhs.iowa.gov/refugee-services
Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Facilitates health exams, job-placement assistance, school enrollment, language classes and bus training during the first three months of resettlement. catholiccharitiesdm.org/our-services/refugee-resettlement
Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center Helps refugees through advocacy, education and community development.
embarciowa.org
Iowa International Center Provides access to educational and cultural resources to Iowans, new Iowans and international visitors. iowainternationalcenter.org
Justice for Our Neighbors Provides free or low-cost legal services to vulnerable immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. njfon.org
Lutheran Services in Iowa Offers a wide variety of services and programs for immigrants and refugees of all ages and ethnicities. lsiowa.org
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Protects the rights and addresses the needs of people in forced or voluntary migration situations. refugees.org
Serving Veterans and Service Members
Home Base Iowa Connects Iowa businesses with qualified veterans and their spouses looking for career opportunities. homebaseiowa.gov
Iowa American Legion Offers a variety of programs and services for veterans and their families. ialegion.org
Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Advocates for Iowa veterans and their families, dedicated to ensuring veterans, their dependents and survivors receive full benefits. va.iowa.gov
Iowa VFW Seeks to better the lives of all veterans. iowavfw.org
VA Central Iowa Health Care Provides acute and specialized medical and surgical services, substance abuse treatment, and a range of mental health and long-term care services. centraliowa.va.gov
Veteran Employment Services Connects veterans and transitioning service members to career opportunities.
iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/veteran-employment-services
Religious Organizations
Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Feeds, assists and nurtures the needs of vulnerable populations, working with more than 125 member congregations from five faith traditions. dmreligious.org
Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa Follows Vedic traditions and rituals practiced in India for over 2,000 years. iowatemple.org
Islamic Center of Des Moines Serves Muslims in the metro area. islamiccenterdm.com
Jewish Federation of Greater
Des Moines Enriches Jewish lives through connection, education and compassion, supporting a number of organizations and synagogues. jewishdesmoines.org
Muslim Community Organization/Masjid An-Noor Conducts Jumaah, daily and Taraweeh prayers. dmmco.org
Sikhs of Iowa Khalsa Heritage Inc. Promotes ideals of Sikhism, learning of the Punjabi language and the establishment of a community kitchen. sikhinc.org/wordpress
Wat Lao Buddhavath of Iowa Shares the Buddhist traditions of wisdom, morality and concentration. Their main study is Theravada Buddhism. dsmwatlao.org
