A Reflection on 2020 from the Executive Director

By Henny Ohr, Executive Director

As we celebrate the beginning of a new year, I find myself looking back at the exhausting, distressing, inspiring, and rewarding past 12 months. 

In many ways, 2020 was EMBARC’s worst year. We faced challenges we never imagined, and we heard heart-breaking stories from many people in refugee communities across the state—individuals and families who faced illness, death, unemployment, eviction, hunger, mental health issues, domestic violence, and deep loneliness, among many other miseries. 

On the flip side, I also see that 2020 was EMBARC’s best year yet. It renewed my faith in the perseverance, compassion, and power of human beings. EMBARC and our partners around the state have truly made a difference this year, curtailing the devastating effects of the pandemic through simple willpower and cooperation. 

“My major realization about 2020: EMBARC was made for this!”

We were founded to address moments of crisis, to respond rapidly, to pivot dramatically, to build on our grassroots foundation, to meet and support people where they are, to empower individuals with what they need to thrive. 

For all the pain and misery it brought, the pandemic was also an affirmation of EMBARC’s model.

Because many staff and RISE AmeriCorps members come from the very refugee communities they support, we already had connections with the people most affected by the pandemic. And we had the language, cultural knowledge, and skills to offer help from the very beginning. 

Here’s a quick overview of what EMBARC and RISE achieved in 2020:

• Supported more than 8,000 refugees and immigrants 

• Answered 3,000 unique calls via our Crisis Helpline and Access Center

• Created more than 900 news and resource videos in 10 languages

• Provided food to more than 4,400 people

• Responded to the devastating derecho in Cedar Rapids, helping provide shelter, food, essential, supplies, and COVID-19 tests alongside partner organizations

This list hardly scratches the surface of all that EMBARC and RISE accomplished. At many moments during this harrowing year, I thought to myself: How can we keep going? 

I don’t know how, but we always did. 

Now, at the end of the year, I can step back and see the totality of everyone’s collaborative efforts. The results are extraordinary.

“I am incredibly lucky to lead such an amazing, effective, diverse, and passionate team.”

For the past eight years, EMBARC has been one of the primary purposes of my life. This work feeds my heart and my soul. And I know it does the same for most of our staff.

That doesn’t mean the job isn’t hard. Some days it’s exhausting. But what has anyone ever achieved that is not challenging?

Take on that challenge with us with a donation to EMBARC for 2021.

After reflecting on 2020, I found myself looking back on the origins of EMBARC eight years ago. Below are some photos from our early days. They show me how far we’ve come—and yet how close we have remained to our roots. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

One of EMBARC’s first programs was teaching English to refugees from Burma. This sign directed students to the class in November 2012.

EMBARC’s classes provided English tutoring for both adults and children.

After the first few sessions leading the children’s classes, Henny realized she was not meant to be a teacher.

Sorting through items from a holiday clothing drive in 2012, volunteers pose with donated hats.

At a Des Moines Public Schools board meeting, EMBARC co-founder Mone Aye speaks about the need to update the busing policy to better serve refugee students. The policy was eventually changed.

Thway Paw, EMBARC co-founder, shows off the first EMBARC T-shirt.

Rob Dillard of Iowa Public Radio was the first journalist to cover EMBARC.

EMBARC’s first fundraiser included a showing of the 2011 film “The Lady” about Aung San Suu Kyi.

EMBARC’s second fundraiser included a performance by founding board member, Mu Law, her daughter, and other members of her Kayan community.

Dalia Kyi and Abigail Sui, two of EMBARC’s founding staff members, take their first trip to the Iowa State Capitol to speak to legislators. Both women still work for EMBARC.

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