Open Heartland

Serving Latino immigrant families living in johnson county, Iowa, who have escaped violence, extreme poverty and been subjected to lack of access to educational and health resources for their families.

The organization continues to serve the youth of client families through English language tutoring. Open Heartland also sponsors a “folklorico” youth dance group through monetary support with various supplies and equipment necessary to replicate ethnic traditions of the participating families. This exposure to extracurricular activity outside of the classroom helps promote confidence amongst the youth participants as well as involving the children’s parents.

Preparing the children of client families for their return to school has generated greater emphasis in providing shoes and winter coats to the children. These two items are essential to the children’s well being in light of the harsh winter conditions of the midwest. A total of 33,819 was expended for the shoe project, a winter coat project and necessary school supplies/books.

Open Heartland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 30-0478917) based in Iowa City, IA.