About CASA of Sioux County
Our Mission:
- CASA is a non-profit, 100% volunteer-run organization promoting healthy, diverse communities through empowerment, education, and advocacy.
- We envision transformed Northwest Iowa communities that welcome, empower, and celebrate people from all cultures.
- As a non-profit agency, we are funded by donations from individuals, churches, businesses, and civic organizations.
See Projects Report for May 2017
Our Governing Board:
CASA, which is a non-profit agency funded by donations from individual, churches, businesses, and civic organizations, is directed by the board.
For board member contact information and project information, please download this document.
Team Members:
Pastor John Lee
Sioux Center
Pastor Eddy Olguin
Sioux Center
Cipa Bulk
Sioux Center
Lynn Rietema
Sioux Center
Vicki Vermeer
Sioux Center
Grace Kohnke
Orange City
Mary Beth Pollema
Sioux Center
Deanne Hoekstra
Hull
Our History:
CASA of Sioux County was started in 1998 by Nancy Visser, a retired hospital Social Worker from Sioux Center and Kathy Vaughn, an Americorps volunteer from Orange City.
CASA was started in response to the growing number of Hispanic immigrants moving to northwest Iowa and has been responsible for the below listed programs, projects, and events since it began:
CASA’s first decade… 1999-2009:
- Free Monthly BIA-accredited Immigration Clinics staffed by trained CASA board members, 2000-2005
- Spanish Interpreter and Translation Services for local businesses 2000-2008
- “Hiring Immigrant Workers: What You Need To Know” (event for Siouxland employers), Lori T. Chesser, Immigration Attorney, Des Moines, 2004
- Started NW Iowa Latino Coalition
- Latino cultural events during Summer Celebration Days, Sioux Center
- Basic Medical Interpreter Training course, by Mercy Hospital Des Moines Interpreter services coordinator, 2006
- Development of an Immigration Raid response plan for Sioux County, 2008
- Development of a Deportation Response Plan for families & advocates, 2009
- “Know Your Rights” training for immigrants & advocates – Carlos Rios, Iowa Immigrant Rights Network, Sioux Center & Hawarden Catholic Churches/Amistad Cristiana, 2009
- Listening forums with community leaders and Sen. Grassley and Harkin staff, 2007, 2010
2010-15:
- Helped plan an “Immigration & Community Conference” at Dordt College, Sept. 2010.
- Partnered with Peck Law firm, Omaha to provide immigration attorney clinics in Sioux Center, 2011-12
- Started “pilot” group ESL classes w/ volunteer teachers in Sioux Center, 2011
- Immigration Conference & premier of the film “AbUSed: the Postville Raid”, Sioux Center, October 2011
- Welcoming Iowa project with Iowa Immigrant Education Coalition & local colleges: “Welcome To Shelbyville” film/discussion, April 23-24, 2012
- DACA Public Education program, Amanda Bahena, attorney, August 2012
- Co-sponsored low-cost DACA Clinic with Northwestern College & JFON, Dec 2012
- Diversity presentation (Eydie Owens), Pioneer Methodist Church Women, Rock Valley, March 2013
- Renter Rights & Responsibilities programs, Amanda Bahena & Donna DeWeerd, April 2013
- Immigration Reform discussion by Skype w/ Sen. Grassley, June 2013
- Immigration Reform discussion with Rep. Steve King in Sioux City, August 2013
- Hosted “Community Spanish” classes in Sioux Center, Fall 2013
- Partnered with Northwestern College (Professor Piet Koene) to offer Medical Interpreter Training workshops, October 2013-15
- Hosted annual Men’s Soccer Tournament & Latino Meal in Sioux Center, 2012, 2013
- Started county-wide Community ESL Team to plan 1:1 and group ESL Classes, 2013
- Partnered w/ OC Arts Council- annual Latino Festival in Orange City, 2012-15
- Ongoing meetings with Sheriff Dan Altena, Fall 2011-15
- Helped w/ Rev. Alexia Salvatierra program at Northwestern College/Amistad Cristiana, Feb 2014
- Hosted Eliseo Medina, Fast 4 Families event, February 2014
- Worked w/ SALUD on Immigration Potluck series in Storm Lake, Jan. & June,2014
- “Exito En Iowa” Latino Community Education for newcomers series, Sioux Center, June 2014
- Commissioned research on temporary driver’s license issue for social work department at Northwestern College, Fall 2014
- Hosted Mark Prosser, “Temporary Drivers License for immigrants”, Sept 2014
- Coordinated Des Moines Register ad campaign re: immigration reform, 2014
- Partnered with Northwestern College, Sioux Co. Pastors Breakfast, Matt Soerens, Author of “Welcoming The Stranger”, January 2015
- Partnered with AEA and Community Health Partners on Immigration Simulation Project
- JUNTOS program development & facilitator training w/ Sioux County ISU Extension, 2015
- Initial discussions w/ agribusinesses re: shared Workplace Chaplaincy program, 2015
- Worked w/ Iowa Rep. John Kooiker to introduce bill for Temporary Drivers Licenses for Immigrants, 2015
2016-17:
- Started local NW Iowa DREAMers group, Jan. 2016
- Met with City of Sioux Center, housing/rental inspection concerns, August 2016
- Partner in planning 1st regional Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) conference, Dordt College, October 2016
- Partner in Iowa Latino Farmworkers research project w/ Jan Flora, Ames, IA
- Partnered w/ OC Arts Council, annual Festival Latino, Orange City, 2012 – 2017
- Ongoing conversation with Sheriff Dan Altena, 2011- 2017
- “Know Your Rights” programs for immigrants at local churches, March 2017
- 1st meeting about local sanctuary churches, February 2017
- Annual Medical Interpreting Training course, Professor Piet Koene, Northwestern College, 2013 – January 2017
- JUNTOS program for Latino middle/high school students, Dordt College, Fall 2016 & 2017
CASA Brochure 2013: Download Here