Refugee & Immigrant Voices in Action (RIVA)

Refugee and Immigrant Voices in Action (RIVA) works to build the power of the people who are so often sidelined — the leaders, volunteers, and advocates working on the ground in refugee and immigrant communities. These individuals and groups are the experts. They know what their communities need, and how best w to serve their neighbors in culturally responsive and effective ways. By partnering with refugee and immigrant leaders and ethnic community- based organizations (ECBOs) to elevate their voices and expand their capacity, RIVA creates a cascade of change that’s powered by our own communities. RIVA envisions an Iowa where immigrants and refugees are seen and respected as the primary actors in their communities and have the resources and expertise they need to support their peers in living healthy, productive, and meaningful lives.