Heartland Offices Celebrate Cultural Competence Through Diversity Day Activities

Each Heartland office has celebrated or will be celebrating further learning in cultural competence through Diversity Day celebrations.

Woodside Office
Date: February 26
The Woodside office held a soup/chili luncheon that included a guest speaker from Hope Ministries who presented about how that organization impacts our community. Among the many programs they offer to people are housing for homeless individuals and families, parenting classes, substance abuse assistance and assistance with preparation for job interviews.

Indianola Office
Theme: Understanding Through Helping
Date: March 9-March 13
Staff had the opportunity to sign up in teams and volunteer for two-hour blocks of time throughout the week for either Helping Hands or Habitat for Humanity. Teams were encouraged to make backpacks with school supplies for Serve our Youth. The backpacks were given to children ages 4-16 who have incarcerated parents. The office celebrated as a group on March 13 by participating in that day’s Lunch and Learn, which was Supporting Children and Families with Mental Health Issues. Afterwards Bernie Van Roeckel from Serve our Youth came to accept the office’s gifts of the backpacks and gave a short explanation about the work his organization does.

Newton Office
Theme: Heritage Dish Potluck & Recipe Exchange
Date: March 25, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
For more information contact: Melinda Worthington – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member

Knoxville Office
Theme: Our Cultures Date: April 14
During that day Knoxville staff will be having pod parties that represent the different cultures that are represented in the office.
For more information contact: Nikki Roorda – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member

Adel Office
Theme: Potluck and Interactive Game Day
Date: April 17, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
For more information contact: Angela Bosworth – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member

Carroll and Guthrie Center Offices
Date: April 17
The event will be combined with Regional Meeting day. It will include a potluck lunch and offer a choice between two Diversity Lunch and Learn DVDs from last year. Also, Doug Olson, our regional music expert, will provide diverse music for staff members’ listening pleasure during lunch. For more information contact: Sue Ford – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member

Ames Office
Theme: Get To Know Staff Better
Date: April 17
The Ames office will celebrate with a potluck, BBQ and ID game.

Johnston Office
Theme: Understanding Through Helping
Date: April 27 volunteer opportunities/May 1 Diversity Day potluck
Staff will have the opportunity to sign up in teams and volunteer for a two-hour block of time (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) on April 27 at Children & Families of Iowa, ChildServe, the Bureau of Refugees or Lutheran Services of Iowa. The Johnston office will celebrate as a group by having a potluck on May 1. Staff members will gather to talk about their volunteer experience and to network with co-workers.

Johnston office staff members are asked to register through Universal Registration for the office’s volunteer opportunities since there are limited openings for each opportunity.
IN0093-9211-0976 - Children & Families of Iowa
IN0093-9211-0977 - ChildServe
IN0093-9211-0978 - Bureau of Refugees
IN0093-9211-0979 - Lutheran Services of Iowa
For more information contact: Gilmara Mitchell - Diversity Day Planning Committee Member