Taneeza Islam and Jennifer Dreiske
Recorded
July 9, 2025
42:55 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
mbb000604
Description
Friends and colleagues Taneeza Islam (47) and Jen Dreiske (53) discuss the organization they lead, South Dakota Voices for Peace, and its mission, reflecting on the intricacies, challenges, and rewards of having served historically underserved multicultural and multilingual communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.Subject Log / Time Code
Taneeza Islam (TI) asks Jen Dreiske (JD) to share the thoughts that come to mind when she hears “COVID-19.” TI explains the mission of South Dakota Voices for Peace.
TI and JD reflect on how they met and their first impressions of each other. TI reflects on how South Dakota Voices for Peace started.
JD remembers a rally they led that created a sense of interfaith unity in Sioux Falls. TI and JD discuss their experiences at the start of the pandemic.
TI talks about South Dakota being an English-only state and how that results in underserving its growing multicultural and multilingual population.
TI remembers assembling a rapid response plan during the pandemic to translate CDC materials and keep non-English speakers and multilingual communities informed. JD reflects on how the state responded during the pandemic.
TI remembers organizing a car parade to show solidarity with factory workers who were required to work during COVID. TI and JD reflect on raising emergency relief funds to support the immigrant community.
TI reminisces about the anonymous donor who was vital in raising funds. JD shares gratitude for how South Dakota Voices for Peace, as an organization, reflects the diverse voices they serve.
TI remembers that, in collaboration with the leader of South Dakota Urban Indian Health, they were able to open an improvised clinic to make the vaccine accessible to the public.
JD talks about their outreach model during COVID: a door-to-door effort.
JD talks about the importance of asking the community about their needs. TI reflects on being resourceful during COVID.
Participants
- Taneeza Islam
- Jennifer Dreiske