THANK YOU for all your support and all your help to make the 30th Anniversary / 2026 Award Celebration such a huge success Monday night! We really enjoyed the evening and hope you did, too.

We were able to honor some special people during the event. Joshua Mandelbaum, Des Moines City Council Member, was awarded the Joy Corning Public Leader Award. Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice was given the Partner Organization Award. And Alicia Claypool received the Community Leader Award — now named the Alicia Claypool Community Leader Award.

Now, for the announcement you really want to hear: With the help and energy of Rep. Rob Johnson, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, and Bridget Fagan-Reidburn, we met our goal for the “in the room” giving challenge, raising over $20,000!! If you were hoping to add your gift to the total, you may still do so here.

We'll share more photos from the evening soon, but here are a few for now.

Thank you for being part of this work and making our state a better place for all Iowans!

THURSDAY, JUNE 18
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church
Waveland Hall
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines

in-person and virtual options

Celebrating Juneteenth

Rep. Rob Johnson
State Representative, District 34

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally-celebrated African American holiday and commemoration, through solemn reflection and joyous community gatherings. Juneteenth traces its roots back to 1865 when the final order to follow the Emancipation Proclamation arrived in Texas. It is a time not only to honor the end of slavery, but also to celebrate Black history, culture, achievements, and the ongoing journey toward racial equality. Join us for Crossroads with Rep. Rob Johnson to learn more about this important holiday and the celebrations that surround it.

NOTE: For June only, Crossroads will be on THURSDAY (June 18) due to Plymouth Church being closed on Friday in honor of the Juneteenth holiday. Because of this change, lunch reservations for Crossroads are due by noon on Tuesday, June 16.

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 Tuesday, June 16. 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.

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa is looking for a Community Organizer! Could that be you?

The Community Organizer is a team member promoting the mission and goals of the organization through relationship building, empowering people to take action, building organizational power, and changing the public narrative. The Community Organizer supports the organization’s work primarily in rural areas and small towns across Iowa with a particular focus on changing the narrative on Christian nationalism and building the progressive voice of faith and all beliefs in Iowa.

This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

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)