Immigration and Refugee Groups

Helping Our Neighbors

Would you be interested in learning more about these service and social justice activities in our community that Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation participates in? Helping Our Neighbors is a CUMC/WF group that meets and shares current social justice initiatives and opportunities from the following groups. (Email the church office at Janelle@cwames.org for the contact person of a specific group that matches your interests.)

AAIN – Ames Area Immigration Network

This is a group that has recently begun, December 2024, to work together across various organizations that work with immigrant and refugees in our community.    The goal is to communicate actions and readiness to prepare and react to changes made the new Administration. that will affect our immigrant and refugee friends. 

This group has partnered with Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance for an Emergency Fund for our immigrant and refugee community members who are facing income loss due to changes immigration policy (loss of work authorization, detained or deported family member).

The statement of basic values of this group is:    The Ames Area Immigration Network (AAIN) recognizes the inherent dignity of the immigrants and refugees living in our communities.  We support the positive ways they contribute to our economy and the enrichment of our cultural diversity. We strive to provide support for them and their families as they face the detrimental changes in immigration policy of the new administration.

AIRA – Ames Interfaith Refugee Alliance

AIRA is a collaboration of volunteers and non-profits seeking to advocate for and raise awareness of refugees.     Ames is included as a site for refugee resettlement, and AIRA supports refugees in our community and helps to promote their independence and success.        Currently there are over 60 Ukrainians connected with AIRA, five Haitians, and several South Sudanese.

ASIP- Ames Sanctuary Interfaith Partners

Ames Sanctuary Interfaith Partners was formed in 2019 to join together those who are moved by their faith and by a desire for active support and engagement with immigrants including physical sanctuary.   The goal is to create a culture of welcome, protection and justice for immigrants within our communities.  ASIP is supporting immigrants from Honduras, Venezuela, and Bolivia.

CCC – County Coordination/Community ID cards

This group started as a group of AMOS Ames representatives (A Mid Iowa Organizing Strategy),  Story County churches, and their social justice committees.    The group coordinates the Central Iowa Community ID, a photo ID that is recognized by local law enforcement, service providers, and businesses (it is not a license to drive or vote).   The group began meeting in January 2018.   We utilized the FaithAction ID Card successful model with Rev Fraccaro from North Carolina.   The first ID Drive was held March, 2019 and at year end 2024 over 1,075 ID cards have been issued to people across central Iowa who had no ID that was recognized in their community.

Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice Legal Clinics for Story County

Iowa MMJ offers low-cost legal clinics across Iowa to our immigrants and refugees needing legal services.   In November, 2024 the offerings were expanded to Story County.    Interested members of the SCIRC led the conversations with Iowa MMJ for expansion of the legal clinics.    The focus is now on the offering of 8 clinics a year which requires volunteers to assist at each of the clinics.    Additionally, the focus is on sustainability fundraising to keep the clinics going.    More information is at iowammj.org for how to request an appointment or to make a donation noting Story County Expansion in the Contribution Note box.

SCIRC – Story County Immigrant and Refugee Collaboration

This group formed from the group that worked with Story County United Way and initiated the COVID 19 Emergency Fund for Story County Immigrants.   This fund was established in early 2020 and raised over $375,000 providing assistance to 954 households.    The fund ended in December 2021.    The collaborative group then continued as the SCIRC.    The participating organizations are:  ACCESS, Ames Interfaith Refugee Alliance (AIRA), Ames Sanctuary Interfaith Partners (ASIP), Ames UCC, Bethesda, Bridges International, Collegiate United Methodist and Wesley Foundation, County Coordination Committee, Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, St. Cecilia, St. Thomas Aquinas, and United Way of Story County.   

The vision statement is:    We envision a Story County in which immigrants and refugees are valued and fully included as a vibrant force in our communities.  The purpose statement: The Story County Immigrant & Refugee Collaboration brings together diverse organizations and individuals. Collectively, we work to ensure immigrant and refugee households have access to the services and opportunities necessary to full participation in our communities. This involves:

  • engaging immigrants and refugees and building on our/their experiences to identify issues and develop solutions 
  • enhancing communication between organizations serving immigrants and refugees to build on each other’s efforts
  • collaborating with others to provide direct service 
  • raising awareness 
  • advocating for policies and practices that support full participation