About Us
Building Immigrant Leadership and Collective Power in Johnson County
We are an immigrant- and refugee-led, membership-based organization organizing low- and moderate-income communities to advance housing, economic, and social justice.
Who We Are
The Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County (IWNJC) is an immigrant- and refugee-led, membership-based organization founded in 2023 to prevent homelessness and build long-term community power.
While many families first connect with us through immediate needs such as housing and employment support, our work goes beyond services. We organize community members to develop leadership, take collective action, and shape the systems that impact their lives.
Born from a shared vision of empowerment and solidarity among immigrants, refugees, and passionate Iowans, IWNJC is led by a diverse group of founders and board members—many of whom have lived experience as immigrants and refugees. The organization is grounded in the belief that the most effective solutions come from those directly impacted by the challenges they face.
Since our establishment, we have been committed to creating pathways to stability, opportunity, and empowerment for newly arrived immigrant families in Johnson County. We have grown into a network of community organizations and individuals—including landlords and employers—working together to welcome immigrants and refugees into our communities. We advocate for dismantling systemic barriers to economic, social, and cultural success, while building bridges that foster understanding across diverse backgrounds and histories. We strive to amplify immigrant and refugee voices and ensure access to the resources needed to thrive and build new communities.
What We Do
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Our work focuses on advancing justice across interconnected issues:
Housing Justice
Supporting families while organizing to address systemic housing barriersImmigrant Rights
Mobilizing community members to respond to harmful policies and advocate for inclusionEconomic Opportunity
Connecting individuals to work while advancing fair and equitable labor conditionsLeadership Development
Training and supporting members to lead, organize, and represent their communities
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From Crisis to Collective Power
We use moments of crisis as entry points for long-term organizing. Through our work, individuals become members, members become leaders, and leaders take action to transform communities.
Our approach combines:
Immediate support (housing, employment, system navigation)
Leadership development and civic engagement
Organizing and advocacy for systemic change
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Our members are actively shaping change in Johnson County.
From organizing around state-level legislation to engaging local decision-makers, community members are stepping into leadership and building collective power.
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Since our founding in 2023, we have supported hundreds of individuals while building a growing base of members engaged in advocacy, leadership, and organizing efforts across Johnson County.
