MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16
5:30 - 7:30 PM
WINDSOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTER
6900 School St, Colby Park, Des Moines

Support the critical work of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund

The Action Fund reception is always a fun night with friends. This year we are excited to hear from Assistant Leader Rep. Ross Wilburn!

Your reservation or sponsorship gift goes towards our 2026 statehouse advocacy work.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORSHIPS HERE

We hope you'll join us February 16! If you can't be there in person, we hope you'll still make a donation to support the work.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
ST. PAUL'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1340 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids

Speaking for the unheard: Legislative trends, challenges, and progress in Iowa mental health policy

Leslie Carpenter
Iowa Mental Health Advocacy

Leslie Carpenter will share the recent legislative changes intended to improve the delivery of mental health and substance use treatment in Iowa, some of the challenges in getting other legislation passed, and the bills proposed for the 2026 session here in Iowa.

There are three ways to attend Intersections. Registration is required for all three:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Three boxed lunch options are available for $15: turkey & swiss on ciabatta, roast beef & cheddar on wheatberry, and garden veggie salad. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, February 3. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.
• Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but we must have your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube by clicking here. This online presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Intersections is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Cedar Rapids.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church
Waveland Hall
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines

in-person and virtual options

Affording a place to call home

Deidre DeJear
President and CEO, Oakridge Neighborhood

Affordable housing is a critical issue in the greater Des Moines area and across Iowa. Many low-income families spend most of their income on housing and are often one crisis away from becoming homeless. Deidre DeJear, President and CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood, will join us to talk about the need for affordable housing in the greater Des Moines area and also all the good work that is happening in the Oakridge Neighborhood.

There are three ways to attend Crossroads. Registration is required for all three:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Four bag lunch sandwich options are available for $15: turkey, roast beef, ham salad, and vegetarian. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, February 18. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.
• Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but we must have your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube by clicking here. This online presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Crossroads is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Des Moines.

We are Iowans – faith leaders, community advocates, and people who care about our immigrant and refugee neighbors – standing in solidarity with the people of Minnesota as well as the immigrants and refugees here in Iowa.

We are also speaking out against the horrific atrocities taking place in Minnesota and communities across the nation. Iowans are encouraged to sign the “Letter from Iowans against ICE occupation in communities” as a symbol of solidarity – we all are raising our voices together in protest. The letter and signatures will be delivered to Iowa’s congressional delegation and released to the media.

Will you sign? The deadline to add your signature is this Thursday, January 22. If you have already done so, thank you!

Below are ideas for how you can get in good trouble!

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR U.S. SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES

Senator Joni Ernst
(202) 224-3254 (https://www.ernst.senate.gov/contact)

Senator Chuck Grassley
(202) 224-3744 (https://www.grassley.senate.gov/contact)

Representative Marianette Miller-Meeks (1st Congressional District)
(202) 225-6576 (https://millermeeks.house.gov/contact/offices)

Representative Ashley Hinson (2nd Congressional District)
(202) 225-2911 (https://hinson.house.gov/zip_authentication?form=/contact)

Representative Zach Nunn (3rd Congressional District)
(202) 225-5476 (https://nunn.house.gov/contact/offices/)

Representative Randy Feenstra (4th Congressional District)
(202) 225-3193 (https://feenstra.house.gov/contact/offices)