A BIT ABOUT US

Educational Outreach Program
Our organization's focus on immigration legal services grew out of the significant need in the community. As the immigration population in Muscatine and surrounding areas increased, so did the need for social and immigration service.
In 1992, a Latino community leader started a program to break the barriers of communication by providing translation and interpretation services to the immigrant community. In 1994, Rosa Mendoza took over her position and during this time the advisory committee of the program suggested that Rosa obtain adequate training to start addressing immigration issues. The first course of action was for Rosa to have a mentor to help guide her through immigration training. Rosa was able to obtain guidance and immigration handbooks from an immigration attorney at the Catholic Charities of New York.
Since then, Rosa has received immigration training on an annual basis and is accredited by the US Department of Justice to assist the public on immigration issues. The Diversity Service Center of Iowa was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in 2001 with Rosa Mendoza as its Executive Director.

​

Senior Program
In 1997 our local Area Agency on Aging contacted Rosa Mendoza, who was then the coordinator of the Multi-Cultural Center at MCSA (Muscatine Center for Strategic Action). This contact offered the Multi-Cultural Center the opportunity to serve the local Spanish speaking senior citizens of our community through a mealsite.

It was then that a monthly mealsite was furnished to serve the need of the minority seniors. In March 2001 when Rosa saw a need for expansion, the Senior Program was continued through the Diversity Service Center of Iowa.
As the population of minority senior citizens continued to grow in the Muscatine area, so did the need to provide social services. Fortunately our meal site has grown into what is now known as the Senior Program.