Immersion Trips | Student Scholarship Program | Nutrition Assistance |
Immersion Trips | Student Scholarship Program | Nutrition Assistance |
The Iowa-Yucatán Partners manage a variety of impactful programs designed to offer Iowans meaningful opportunities to get involved and make a difference. Immersion trips invite participants to share their talents, teach valuable skills, and engage in mutual learning while experiencing the rich culture of the Yucatán in a deep and personal way.
The scholarship program helps expand access to education by supporting students in need with financial aid, school supplies, meals, and transportation.
Iowa-Yucatán Partners can also participate in supporting the nutritional assistance program to improve health and well-being by offering wholesome food and meals to youth, families, and older adults. Through these programs, Iowans can contribute their time, resources, and compassion to foster strong cross-cultural connections and lasting impact.
Immersion Trips - Experience More!
The Yucatán Immersion Trip is one of our core programs, created to strengthen cross-cultural understanding and deepen relationships between communities in Iowa and the Yucatán. We offer participants a firsthand look at the region’s culture, history, and daily life while supporting ongoing partnership initiatives.
During the trip, we visit local artists and educators, explore archaeological sites and cultural landmarks, and take part in service projects such as distributing food donations to Hogar de Los Angeles and Divina Providencia. Participants also connect with local leaders and families, experience Yucatán’s cuisine, and learn from community partners who are making a difference in education, health, and cultural preservation.
Each journey is coordinated by EcoTurismo Yucatán and includes lodging, local transportation, guided tours, and selected meals. Through shared experiences and meaningful collaboration, our Immersion Trip continues to build on our core purpose of creating lasting international community.
Student Scholarship Program
Our Yucatán Student Scholarship Program began with a simple act of compassion. During visits to rural Maya communities, we saw how distance and limited resources often kept talented students from continuing their education, and we wanted to help.
What started as small, heartfelt contributions has grown into a sustainable endowment that provides ongoing support for students each year. Guided by the vision of Professor Elías Alcocer of Yaxunah and Chuck Montgomery of Iowa, and managed through the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the fund now helps students in Yaxunah and nearby villages pursue their studies.
Each scholarship helps cover essentials like transportation, books, and school supplies, but the impact goes far beyond financial assistance. With every student who continues their education, we help strengthen communities and honor the lasting friendship between Iowa and the Yucatán..
Chef Exchange
The Nutritional Assistance program offered by Iowa-Yucatán Partners focuses on improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations by providing access to nutritious food and meals. This initiative serves youth, families, and aging individuals who may face food insecurity or lack access to balanced diets.
By working closely with local communities, the program helps ensure that recipients receive the nourishment they need to support growth, learning, and overall wellness. Through this effort, Iowa-Yucatán Partners is addressing both immediate needs and long-term health outcomes, reinforcing its commitment to compassionate, sustainable support.
Nutrition Assistance
The Nutritional Assistance program offered by Iowa-Yucatán Partners focuses on improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations by providing access to nutritious food and meals. This initiative serves youth, families, and aging individuals who may face food insecurity or lack access to balanced diets.
By working closely with local communities, the program helps ensure that recipients receive the nourishment they need to support growth, learning, and overall wellness. Through this effort, Iowa-Yucatán Partners is addressing both immediate needs and long-term health outcomes, reinforcing its commitment to compassionate, sustainable support.