"Iowa is not only a state in the heart of the nation, but it is also a state with a heart."
~ Iowa Governor Robert Ray- 1969-1983
(Dubec)
(Iowa Refugee Service Center)
Iowa sponsors helped refugees adapt to their new lives. The sponsors provided them with food, health care, and housing. In addition, they helped the refugees learn English and find jobs to support themselves and their families (Frideres).
Ray's Congressional testimony about sponsors ("Iowa Governor")
"The voluntary organization would ask an American family to be a sponsor who would assist the refugee family in finding housing, getting settled, helping enroll children in school and begin searching for jobs."
~ Ambassador Kenneth Quinn- Ray's Refugee Program Coordinator
Deacon Trughn with sponsors Judy and Dwight Frideres (Frideres)
Judy and Dwight Frideres with refugees they sponsored (Frideres)