Diversity Resource links

African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa

http://www.blackiowa.org/
Preserves, promotes, publicizes and educates the public on the heritage of African Americans in Iowa.

Iowa Juneteenth
http://www.iowajuneteenth.org/main_page.htm
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday in the United States honoring African American heritage by commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in 1865.

I Will Make Me A World In Iowa
http://www.worldiniowa.com/celebration_day.htm
I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa is a diverse collaboration of Iowans, which highlights African-American arts, culture and contributions through education, awareness and preservation during an annual enrichment celebration and with continual educational outreach.

Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans
http://www.state.ia.us/government/dhr/saa/index.html
The commission reports on the status of Iowans of African-American descent to consider, review, and recommend programs, services, policies, legislation and administrative rules that will improve the quality of life for Iowa's African-American population.

Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage

http://www.iowacapi.org/
The commission advises the governor and the general assembly in order to empower Asians and Pacific Islanders, improve their well being, and celebrate a diverse Iowa.

Iowa Asian Alliance

http://www.iowaasianalliance.com/
Iowa Asian Alliance (IAA) is a nonprofit organization of Asian American business, community, and civic leaders to forge cultural and economic growth.

Culture Inc.
http://www.cultureincorporated.org/
Culture develops Des Moines-area youth into balanced, productive leaders, exposing participants to cultural diversity and building confidence through accomplishments.

Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs/ Iowa Arts Council
http://www.iowaartscouncil.org/
The Iowa Arts Council enriches the quality of life for Iowans through support of the arts.

Iowa Commission on the Status of Women

http://www.state.ia.us/government/dhr/sw/index.html
The Commission is a state agency that seeks to assure equality for Iowa women, working to equalize women's opportunities and to promote full participation by women in the economic, political, and social life of the state.

State Data Center of Iowa
http://www.iowadatacenter.org/
State Data Center of Iowa is a complete source for population, housing, business and government statistics about Iowa, including data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Iowa state agencies, and other state and federal sources.

Young Professionals Connection
http://www.ypcdsm.com/
YPC's mission is to promote an environment that attracts and retains young professionals in Greater Des Moines. Our efforts focus on connecting YP's to each other and to the community through social, civic, charitable, & professional development endeavors.

ALIANZA: Latino Business Association
http://www.alianza-lba.org
Promotes the success of Des Moines-area Hispanic-owned businesses through education, networking opportunities, and by serving as a link to and for the Hispanic market.

Division of Latino Affairs

http://www.latinoaffairs.iowa.gov/
Originally established as the governor’s Spanish-speaking task force through legislative action in April 1974, the division now oversees the state’s Translator and Interpreter Program.

Hispanic Educational Resources

http://www.herdm.com/
HER is a Latino learning academy specializing in bilingual, culturally affirming educational programming and experiences for children and their families.

Iowa Interpreters and Translators Association

http://www.iitanet.org/
IITA serves Iowa’s linguistically diverse community through education, training, and promotion of the translation and interpretation professions.  

Latino Resources – Latino Heritage Festival    

http://www.latinoheritagefestival.org/
Latino Resources, Inc. is a non-profit entity that was developed to serve as the umbrella to the Latino Heritage Festival of Iowa.

Latinos Unidos

http://www.latinosunidosofiowa.com/
Latinos Unidos is a non-profit organization promoting a united Latino community, positive change and achievement.

L.U.N.A. - Latinas Unidas por un Nuevo Amanecer
http://www.lunaiowa.org/QuienesSomos.asp
L.U.N.A’s mission is to assist and empower the women of our community to achieve goals of emotional, physical, and economic survival so that they may build futures free from violence.

Iowa Department of Human Services  – Bureau of Refugee Services
http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/refugee/ 
A part of the U.S. Refugee Program, helping those who were forced to leave their homes and their countries with very few of their own possessions to resettle and start life anew in a strange new land.

Lutheran Services in Iowa – Refugee Resettlement
http://www.lsiowa.org/
Refugee Cooperative Services (RCS) provides initial resettlement services for refugees who have fled their country for fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, political opinion or social group.

New Iowan Center Des Moines
http://www.iowaworkforce.org/centers/newiowan/
These centers offer workforce development services to persons who have recently moved to Iowa and are seeking employment.

The American Immigration Law Foundation
http://www.ailf.org/ipc/ipc_index.asp
(AILF) was established in 1987 as a tax-exempt, not-for-profit educational, charitable organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of immigration law and policy and the value of immigration to American society.

Iowa Commission on the Status of Women

http://www.state.ia.us/government/dhr/sw/index.html
The Commission is a state agency that seeks to assure equality for Iowa women, working to equalize women's opportunities and to promote full participation by women in the economic, political, and social life of the state.

Iowa Department of Human Rights

http://www.state.ia.us/government/dhr/
The Iowa Department of Human Rights strives to ensure that every Iowan is equally protected and respected.

Iowa Safe Schools
http://www.iowasafeschools.org/
Since 2002, the GLBT Youth in Iowa Schools Task Force has worked to put together evidence of the problem in Iowa schools, resources for parents, communities and schools, and increased awareness in multiple venues.

One Iowa
www.one-iowa.org
One Iowa works for GLBT equality in Iowa through voter identification, grassroots organizing and educational events.

Women’s Cultural Collaborative
www.iowawcc.org
The Women’s Cultural Collective is an Iowa women’s organization which seeks to promote community building and to provide a safe atmosphere for lesbians.

Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
http://www.iowaesgr.org/
This agency gains and maintains employer support for Guard and Reserve service members by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts.

Deaf Services Commission of Iowa
http://www.state.ia.us/government/dhr/ds/index.html
The commission serves, represents, and encourages a greater understanding of deaf and hard of gearing individuals across the state. Services include advocacy and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, community development and serving as an information clearinghouse and referral source.

Division of Persons with Disabilities

http://www.state.ia.us/government/dhr/pd/mission/index.html
The Division exists to promote the employment of Iowans with disabilities and reduce barriers to employment by providing information, referral, assessment and guidance, training, and negotiation services to employers and citizens with disabilities.

Employer Disability Resource Network
http://www.edrnetwork.org/
The network is a complete source for the recruitment and retention of employees with disabilities.

Iowa Department of the Blind
http://www.blind.state.ia.us/
The Department offers specialized, integrated services that blind and severely visually impaired Iowans need to live independently and work competitively.

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services
www.ivrs.iowa.gov
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services works for and with individuals who have disabilities to achieve their employment, independence and economic goals.

Des Moines Area Religious Council
http://www.dmreligious.org/

The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is an interfaith organization that exists to provide a common means of responding to basic human needs while serving as a liaison between member congregations and the greater Des Moines community.

Lutheran Services in Iowa – Refugee Resettlement
http://www.lsiowa.org/
Refugee Cooperative Services (RCS) provides initial resettlement services for refugees who have fled their country for fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, political opinion or social group.