Get Involved
As an all-volunteer organization, we need your help! Here are current opportunities to lend a hand. See something you can help with? Drop us a line at southdistrictneighborhood@gmail.com. Organizations and businesses are encouraged to complete the form to the right.
We want to acknowledge, support and promote those who are teaming up with us! We will highlight volunteers and donations in a variety of ways through our social media, resident email and neighborhood newsletter.
Annual Events
Diversity Market
Community partners and SDNA come together with the shared goal of creating a summer “pop-up” market to bring together and elevate BIPOC-owned and/or woman-owned entrepreneurs, artisans and others looking for a spot to shine and sell their products & services! Another goal of the Diversity Market is to increase access to a neighborhood marketplace for South District residents and other folks throughout the Iowa City/Johnson County area to come shop and enjoy our side of town!
Needs & Asks: Help share promotional materials with the public. Help with set up and take down of the market days.
Partners: JD Beauty Supply, The Kingdom Center Church, Dream City, South District Neighborhood Association, League of United Latin American Citizens and the Multicultural Development Center of Iowa
Team Up to Clean Up
South District residents, community partners, allies, churches, nonprofits and businesses come together to create the change they seek to beautify parts of the South District neighborhood together. This effort consists of a one-day kick off event to plant spring flowers and pick up trash. Then, it continues throughout the spring, summer and fall months to maintain shared spaces. Currently we come together to plant, weed, water, and mulch within green space along Broadway Street, at Wetherby Park’s Edible Forest and within neighborhood school gardens such as Grant Wood Elementary Garden. Additionally, we come together to pick up trash at neighborhood parks, along trails and on South District streets.
Needs & Asks: Sign up using the form on this page to receive info about the annual kick-off event and to learn more about helping out on your own schedule during the spring, summer and fall months.
Partners: Master Gardeners of Johnson County, City of Iowa City, Habitat for Humanity, United Way/Hawkeye Athletes, Green Iowa AmeriCorps, Grant Wood Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization, Archibald Alexander Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization, Faith Academy School, Parkview Church East Campus, Backyard Abundance, Hills Bank, Moms Demand Action, Open Heartland, Dream City, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, United Action for Youth
National Night Out
A national, annual, community-building campaign that promotes strong community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and work. It enhances the relationship between neighbors, community partners, and first responders while building community.
Needs & Asks: TBA
PARTNERS: Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Ruhl & Ruhl Realty, Table to Table, Moms Demand Action, League of Women Voters, Shelter House, City of Iowa City Police & Fire Department along with Johnson County Ambulance.
Harvest Feast
The South District Harvest Feast is a community meal served at Faith Academy Gym and an opportunity for neighbors to come together, get to know each other and to build community.
Needs & Asks: Food/drinks, volunteers to serve, decorations (photo booth), promotional materials for event (signs)
Partners: Faith Academy School, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Black Voices Project, City of Iowa City, Habitat for Humanity, Open Heartland, Antelope Lending Library, Table to Table, Children’s Museum.
Neighborhood Beautification Events and Efforts
Annual events and ongoing efforts to promote an inviting and healthy neighborhood.
Needs & Asks: volunteers (day-of and ongoing watering and weeding), tiling new areas for new beds, mulch, seeds, plants, snacks/drinks, & promotional signs. BUSINESSES DIRECT ASK: to sponsor and tend and flower bed
- Team Up to Clean Up on Broadway Street
- Wetherby Park Edible Garden
- Grant Wood Elementary School Garden summer: watering, weeding, and harvest distribution
- Archibald Alexander Elementary School Garden summer: watering, weeding, and harvest distribution
Partners: Master Gardeners of Johnson County, City of Iowa City Neighborhood Development Department, United Way/Hawkeye Athletes (Day of Service in April), Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Grant Wood Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization, Archibald Alexander Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization, Faith Academy School, and Backyard Abundance
Culture & Initiatives
Neighborhood Active Living: Bicycle Culture
Annual support neighborhood bicycle educational events where adults and kids collaborate around bikes and bike safety.
- Neighborhood Leisure Bike Rides (spring-fall 2021)
- Monthly–6pm-7:30pm on April 22, May 20, June 17, July 22, August 19, Sept 16
- Annual Neighborhood Schools Bike Rodeos (one-time event in spring) TBA
- WERide Bike to School (weekly morning/afternoon during fall & spring)
- Bike to Books: A Little Free Library Adventure Guidebook and map
Needs & Asks: volunteers and participants (neighborhood leisure ride), snack/drinks, prizes, helmets, bicycles, promotional materials for activities/events. Sign up HERE to help with Neighborhood Leisure Bike Rides.
PARTNERS: Bicyclists of Iowa City, The Bike Library, Bike World, Think Bicycle Johnson County, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Iowa City Community School District, Archibald Alexander Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, Grant Wood Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, Faith Academy School, University of Iowa Children’s Hospital , Boyd Murray State Farm, Table to Table, City of Iowa City Recreation Department, City of Iowa City Police and Fire Departments, Johnson County Ambulance Services
Little Free Library Culture
A year-round neighborhood initiative to promote and increase access to literature while promoting art, active living, positive community engagement, and neighborhood exploration.
Needs & Asks: 6th grade bookmark and persuasive essay contest sponsors, LFL restocks, repairs, promotion, and beautification:
- Archibald Alexander Elementary, Grant Wood Elementary and Faith Academy 6th grade Bookmark Art Design Contest
- Archibald Alexander Elementary, Grant Wood Elementary and Faith Academy 6th grade Persuasive Essay Contest
- Bike to Books Guidebook and map promotion at neighborhood schools/nonprofits/businesses/churches
Partners: Neighborhood LFL stewards, MidwestOne Bank, Alexander Elementary, Grant Wood Elementary, Faith Academy, West High School, City High School, University International Writer Workshop, HAVlife Johnson County, UNESCO City of Literature, Neighborhood Elementary schools, The Bike Library, Iowa City Public Library, Antelope Lending Library, Iowa City Recreation Department, Bicyclists of Iowa City, Think Bicycle
In Development
Welcome Wagon
A gift of information to new families that will include information on restaurants, retail, services, resources, schools, churches, transportation, city information, and community traditions
Building Traditions in the South District
Come collaborate with us! We're always looking for partners to help with the traditions we're building in the South District. You can review the list on the left and choose an option. If you have more questions before collaborating please get in touch using our contact form.
Help bring performance art to the District!
The South District Neighborhood Association is coordinating a fundraiser to help break down these barriers to bring entertainment directly to the people, and we need your help before May 1st!
Call for artists:
Emerging Artists can apply now!
The Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee and the South District Neighborhood Association are issuing a call for emerging artists to design, fabricate and install a new bus stop bench along Highway 6 East, just east of Heinz Road, across the street from Amazon at stop 7126. The Emerging Artist will lead the project with assistance from a Project Mentor. The Emerging Artist will also include neighborhood feedback into the bench design and install the bench by Fall 2023.