The Lantern Center

10/12/2026

Christina Bohannan, candidata al Congreso por el Distrito 1 de Iowa, se suma a tres obispos de Iowa y a la congresista Miller-Meeks para pedir el regreso de Fatou. Ahora necesitamos que los senadores Grassley y Ernst y la congresista Hinson actúen: detengan su deportación y tráiganla de vuelta a casa. ❤️

10/06/2026

We have some wonderful news to celebrate! The Lantern Center has received a first-time $6,500 grant from the Iowa Credit Union Foundation (ICUF) to support financial inclusion for our multilingual learners!

We are especially grateful to our friends DuTrac Community Credit Union, who nominated us for this opportunity. Sherrie Keating, DuTrac’s Community Outreach Representative, shared, “This is the Lantern Center’s big win, and DuTrac could not be happier for what this grant means for your organization.”

We couldn’t agree more. This funding, along with guidance from the DuTrac staff, will help us give immigrants and refugees practical financial knowledge and tools to build greater stability and work toward their goals.

Thank you, ICUF, for this investment in the Lantern Center, and thank you, DuTrac Community Credit Union, for believing in our work, advocating for us and cheering us on. We are grateful, proud and excited for what’s ahead!

Celebrating with us (L to R): Ena Babic Barnes, Executive Director of the Iowa Credit Union Foundation; Ann Lorenz, Megan Ruiz and Sue Ellis of the Lantern Center. Back row: Sherrie Keating and Michelle Arris of DuTrac Community Credit Union and Lantern Center Board President Craig Takes.

10/03/2026

Come one, come all!

09/24/2026

https://globalrefuge.quorum.us/campaign/169154/

Act Now: Reopen Refugee Admissions for At-Risk Groups

09/24/2026

Unfathomable, inhumane, unjust and unacceptable that our government is treating immigrants this way. Just imagine for one second, as a US citizen who was born here...imagine if we suddenly could not get: replacement licenses, birth certificates, car deeds, tax records from the IRS or a copy of our valid social security card. 😱 How would and could we do ANYTHING in our present society (e.g., rent an apartment or car, buy or sell a vehicle, apply for a job, utilize our workplace's insurance benefits, and so much more). 🤯Simple answer: we could not. 🫨🫥

Many noncitizens need immigration records the government has to prove their legal stay and resist deportation. The government is redacting and withholding those documents, lawyers say.

09/21/2026

Leaders from local organizations said they have observed increased interest and increased success with their educational programs for English language learners.

09/19/2026

Some of our amazing Lantern Center volunteers are among the sisters floating through Epworth!

09/18/2026

Art Across Cultures is here!
On Tuesday, the Lantern Center celebrated the launch of Art Across Cultures – our new creative expressions program - with 75 participants joining us to create and connect through art.

Created by Chris Chapin-Tilton in memory of her husband, a prolific area watercolorist, the program was funded by the Jac Tilton Memorial Art Education Fund.

A special thank you to the local artists who volunteered their time and talents and to 10 volunteers who helped make our Open House and this new program possible.

We’re excited to see the creativity and connections Art Across Cultures continues to inspire!
Welcome. Learn. Belong. Create.

Photos courtesy of Erin Moroney LaBelle and Sara Millhouse