We Rise Together

 
 
2019-2020 RISE members

Leveraging the power of community, RISE Americorps (Rebuild, Integrate, Serve and Empower) trains emerging leaders in refugee and immigrant communities to become work-readiness trainers who support fellow refugees.

Each year, up to 100 RISE AmeriCorps Members serve for 11-month terms at select nonprofits and workforce agencies across the state, empowering refugees to access services, build workforce readiness skills, and gain economic empowerment. 

Member Spotlights

Featured below are four of the incredible RISE AmeriCorps Members from the
2019-2020 term, which ended in September.

 
 
Wynton+Karanja

Wynton Karanja

EMBARC, Waterloo

Throughout the COVID-19 and the derecho response, Wynton went above and beyond in every situation to get work done and ensure that clients and community members felt heard and supported. Even without a car and spotty WiFi, he was on the ground helping in Cedar Rapids while also ensuring that youth programming in Waterloo continued. His positive attitude and optimism helped make stressful situations feel less daunting.

 
 
 
Lizbeth Salinas-Reyes

Lizbeth Salinas-Reyes

Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs, Des Moines

Lizbeth ran the Iowa Spanish Hotline (La Linea) over the summer. She was always available to answer questions and concerns, to help out, and to simply ask how others were doing. She was not only kind, but also very professional. Overall, Lizbeth has an incredible work ethic and drive that is truly inspiring.

 
 
 
Nolan+Wright

Nolan Wright

EMBARC, Des Moines

Nolan played a huge part in making the EMBARC Crisis Helpline and Virtual Access Center work, learning the ins and outs of many different resources and agencies to help navigators connect clients with what they need. His dedication and follow-through with every client and project was amazing.

 
 
 
Elize Dushimimana

Elize Dushimimana

Eastern Iowa African Diaspora, Cedar Rapids

Elize has been a true leader and set an outstanding example for other RISE members. During the pandemic, she helped to lead a food pantry and distribution of food to families in need. When the derecho storm hit Cedar Rapids, Elize was the first to step up and work with the refugee and immigrant communities who were impacted the most. Elize has given so much to her community and helped to uplift and empower so many people. Now that her AmeriCorps term is complete, she will join EMBARC as a full-time Member Support Coordinator.

 
 
 

2020-2021 RISE AmeriCorps Term

AmeriCorps RISE

Starting in October, EMBARC will be welcoming 86 new RISE AmeriCorps Members, to be placed at 17 different organizations in eight cities throughout the state. Their focus will be workforce readiness, COVID-19 response, and derecho response. Each member will also have a mentor to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. 

Over the next 11 months, these RISE AmeriCorps Members will help:

  • 300 people get jobs

  • 500 people improve their workforce readiness skills

  • 2,000 clients access support services

  • 500 volunteers start serving their communities 

 
 
 
 

Our RISE AmeriCorps members learn on the job, gain skills for their future careers, and help fellow refugees thrive. Help support the program with a donation to EMBARC.

 
 
 
EMBARC IOWA