A coalition of residents from the Quad Cities is preparing to welcome refugee children from Central America. Tonight at 6 pm, members of a group called "1000 Kids for Iowa" will hold a community meeting at the Davenport Public Library.
The statewide project was launched in July. Director, Jessica Brackett, says members across Iowa have found more than 300 homes for the children and received over 1,500 offers of support.
"We know that if Iowans are given the opportunity to act compassionately, then they will do so and they will welcome these children into their homes, and we're seeing proof of that by the numbers of people who are signing up."
She says many of the children are being detained in jail-like facilities, and "1,000 Kids for Iowa" hopes to find at least 1,000 homes, plus strengthen local support services.
"We've got social workers and case managers, doctors, counselors, translators, teachers, folks who would act as grandparents who--you know, they may not be able to care for a child full time, but would like to assist other families who are."
At the meeting tonight, Brackett plans to discuss how to build support for the organization and what others groups might be willing to help.
The meeting for "1000 Kids for Iowa" will be held at the Davenport Public Library at 6 pm, followed by another meeting at St. Ambrose University at 8 pm.
