One hundred twenty leaders from 40 Iowan communities converged in Perry, IA for the 'Building Bridges & Organized Communities' seminar, hosted by A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy (AMOS). Led by 12 faith leaders spanning 15 denominations — including Protestant, Catholic, and Evangelical traditions — the gathering was more than a meeting; it was a call to action. The aim? To forge deep, cross-community relationships and build the power necessary to confront the issues weakening Iowa’s families and rural communities.
The day included a hard look at data from Iowa State University's Rural Shrink Smart project, followed by small group house meetings to listen and share stories of the realities facing families across rural, urban, and suburban Iowa communities.
The energy moved quickly from analysis to action. In host community Perry, where residents have dealt with a school shooting and meat packing plant closure in the past year, church leaders committed to meet again to grow their power to act in Dallas County. Participants from across the state committed to next steps for organizing together to push back against the forces pressuring their communities.