Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity

Mothers of Monsoon’s Next Community Play Date is this Saturday, June 20 at 8:30am at in Des Moines! The will be there with a fun craft to celebrate Pride month.

All children ages 0-5 and parents/caregivers welcome to this free indoor play date. For more information, contact Audri Lu-Uhlken at 515-422-1884 or [email protected].

This morning was a vibe🌿

Participants (almost) beat the rain and gathered for Monsoon’s first Qi Gong in the Park at Riverview Park in Des Moines on Saturday, June 13.

Along the river, while thunder rolled in the distance we moved and breathed together beneath a sky that couldn’t quite decide what it wanted to do.

A beautiful start to what we hope will be many more mornings of connection, movement, and community. See you back here next month on Saturday, July 11!

Monsoon staff and community members took a CPR refresher course on Friday. Thank you to Wes Franklin and the American Heart Association leading this!

Can you name the first step in an emergency situation?

Save the date(s)—Qi Gong in Park at Riverview Park for Monsoon’s Summer Wellness Series!

We will gather near the green lawn in front of the amphitheater. This event is free and open to every one of all ages. Bring your own water bottle!

Saturday, June 13
Saturday, July 11
Saturday, August 15

10:30am-11:30am
Riverview Park: 710 Corning Ave, Des Moines, IA

*weather permitting. if it is raining or poor weather conditions, the session will be cancelled*

Walking toward wellness! ☀️❤️ Today, our Kupuna Care Day participants joined Monsoon staff for a midday stroll while learning the importance of knowing their health numbers. From staying active and practicing with at-home blood pressure monitors to creating nutritious yogurt bowls topped with granola and fresh fruit, our Asian elders are embracing healthy habits and taking meaningful steps toward lifelong wellness—one walk at a time. 🌿👟🍓

Come check out our community pantry! Everything we have to offer is donated by people in our community. If you need food or household supplies, please reach out.

If you know of any organizations or people looking to come alongside others, please send them our way. We are running low on many items and can use some help getting restocked.

Thank you to and for your donations in May!

Update on Monsoon’s Community Center on Douglas Avenue…. The exterior is no longer “orange.”

Monsoon invites Pacific Islanders to an Energy Circle exploring generational and gendered trauma together.

Through a Kintsugi-inspired art activity, we’ll reflect on what we carry, what’s been passed down, and how we care for those parts of ourselves and our communities.

𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: Saturday, June 20, 2026
𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄: 11:30am - 1:30pm
𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: Maquoketa Public Library
(126 S 2nd Street, Maquoketa, IA)

For more information, contact Danya Albert at [email protected]

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CommunityGathering