Since 1979, Proteus, Inc. has been serving agricultural workers and their families by meeting them where they are and connecting them to the resources they need to achieve self-sufficiency.
Our Mission
Proteus, Inc. provides agricultural workers and their families with affordable health care, education assistance, and job training.
Our Vision
A better life for farmworkers.
Our Values Integrity
Empowerment
Compassion
Our Leadership Team
Chief Executive Officer
Daniel Zinnel, EdD
Chief Financial Officer
Carla Beste
Director of Operations
Patrick Taggart
Director of Workforce Programs
Johnny Alcívar
Director of Health Programs
Lindsey Murphy
Director of Development
Emily Mendez
Health Clinical Director
Vilma Bramasco, ARNP
Clinical Manager
Brianna Reha
Respect
Communication
Proteus, Inc. is committed to providing employees and Board members with training and meaningful dialogue to dismantle racism within our organization and where possible, across systems and structures. We aspire to be anti-racist and create a culture of belonging within our organization and for our patients and clients. Proteus will listen, learn, and move beyond statements with action and accountability.
Western Iowa Regional Director
Matt Winkel
Eastern Iowa Regional Director
Emily Meister
Indiana Regional Director
Randall Collins, MSM
Eastern Nebraska Regional Director
Jennifer Lewis
Western Nebraska Regional Director
Jody Stutzman, MBA
Rebecca Prescott Chair
Kristin Hoffman, JD Vice Chair
Melissa Garcia Former Chair
Amy Beller
Juan Ayala-Roman, CPA
Hijinio Carreon, DO
John Van Ginkel, CPA
Gloria Vermie, RN MPH
Sarah Nash, PhD
Norma Guerrero
Dwight Jackson, MPA
Erika Villegas
María Narváez
Cheers to 2023!
It is hard to believe that we just passed the third anniversary of the start of the global pandemic. So much has changed since then and so much continues to change at Proteus, Inc. At Proteus, we try to live out the ethos of the Greek god we are named after, which is “transforming to meet the needs of farmworkers.” 2022 brought much to celebrate in the work the amazing team at Proteus achieved.
2023 brings new opportunities to formally launch our Financial Literacy Program for farmworkers and meat processing workers and our farmworker youth leadership program. We look forward to continuing to expand healthcare access for farmworkers
and meat processing workers, increase education assistance for farmworkers, and grow the health and safety trainings we provide in the fields. Advocacy will be an area we are hope to further by developing strategies to create space for farmworkers to share their stories and use their voices to create positive change.
We also look forward to providing financial relief through funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with UMOS, to farmworkers and meat processing workers across Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Thank you to all who support the work we do at Proteus. We could not continue or expand our mission of providing services to agricultural workers without donors, champions, and advocates like you.
Thank you, especially to the farmworkers who work tirelessly to provide for their families and help put food on our tables each and every day.
With gratitude,
Daniel Zinnel, EdD
The National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) is funded through the United States Department of Labor and is available across the United States. Proteus, Inc. operates this program for Iowa, Indiana, and Nebraska.
This program provides qualifying low income farmworkers and their families with resources to earn a crediential, obtain employment, and achieve financial self-sufficiency.
Participants often go from making less than the federal poverty level to making a livable wage after completing the program.
NFJP is currently authorized under section 167 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.
400+ Total Participants
During 2022, Proteus, Inc. served 470 farmworkers through the NFJP program
68.5% Credential Rate
Over half of the farmworkers in the NFJP program receive a career-specific crediential
$35,818.76
Median Earnings
Participants sometimes earn up to 2x their original wage after exiting the program
78% Employment Rate
After exiting the NFJP program, nearly 80% of participants are still employed one year later
The Agriculural Health Program is funded through the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Primary Healthcare.
This program provides agricultural workers and anyone in their household with access to affordable healthcare.
Proteus, Inc. has a unique model where patients can access healthcare at our clinic locations as well through our mobile clinics. We focus on bringing healthcare to our patients and providing it onsite where they work or live.
Proteus, Inc. has clinic locations in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Fort Dodge, Iowa. The Proteus, Inc. health team sets up mobile clinics all over the state of Iowa, reaching farmworkers where they are. In 2022, there were 19 clinic sites.
1,000 patients served in a language other than English
90% Low-Income Patients
1,114 Patients Served Patients were at or below 100% of the federal poverty level
1,657 COVID Tests Distributed
76 in-office COVID tests with 25 positive patients
3,139 Health Clinic Visits
There were also 180 telehealth visits
This health center recieves funding from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and has federal public health status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.
The Care For Yourself program at Proteus, Inc. began in 2021 in partnership with the Iowa Department of Public Health. The Care for Yourself program is part of a national initiative that helps reduce risks from breast/chest, cervical, and cardiovascular health issues through inclusive screenings and tests. During 2022, 215 women enrolled in the Care For Yourself program through Proteus, Inc. 113 women received a PAP at Proteus, Inc., and 104 women received mammograms at other Care For Yourself participating partners.*
*Many of these women were provided transportation and/or interpretation services by Proteus team for their mammogram appointments.
40% of patients who were provided loaner blood pressure cuffs lowered their blood pressure
HIV
79 patients were provided free HIV screening in the Des Moines clinic
Farmworkers spend hours working outside in the summer heat. They are typically at a higher risk for heat stress and heatstroke. To celebrate National Hydration Day in June, Proteus, Inc. raised funds for Hydro Flasks for farmworkers.
Hydro Flasks keep water ice cold, even after hours in the sun. They offer cool, refreshing water to keep farmworkers hydrated and healthy.
600 Hydro Flasks gifted to farmworkers
Your support provided many farmworkers the ability to stay hydrated during the summer and year-round!
The Health and Safety Training program is in collaboration with the Association of Farmworker Opportunities Programs (AFOP). This program provides farmworkers with life-saving information about pesticide exposure, heatstroke/heat stress prevention, and COVID-19 prevention and mitigation strategies.
1,579
3,025
IOWA FARMWORKERS TRAINED NEBRASKA FARMWORKERS TRAINED INDIANA FARMWORKERS TRAINED 2,883
Long-sleeve shirts are crucial to protect farmworkers against the harsh sun, pesticides, insects, and more.
Every year, community members join the Association of Farmworker Opportunites Programs National in asking for longsleeve shirt donations during National Farmworker Awareness Week.
Proteus, Inc. distributes donated shirts to farmworkers at health and safety trainings throughout the spring and summer.
2,100long-sleeve shirts were donated
Presents from Proteus is a Christmas event that provides children and their families in the Des Moines metro with holiday gifts and food pantry items.
In partnership with the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program, Proteus, Inc. delivered holiday presents and food items to over 70 families including 200 children in 2022.
The annual I’m Thankful for Farmworkers Dinner raised almost $89,000 for farmworkers and Proteus, Inc. programs.
Your generosity supports the Proteus, Inc. mission as we continue to provide agricultural workers and their families with affordable healthcare, education assistance, and job training.
The event included a program honoring farmworkers and partner agencies, a wine & whiskey pull, a live auction, the premier of videos about farmworkers from our collabration with ArtForce Iowa, and much more.
Master of Ceremonies, Chenue Her, and featured speaker, Dr. Richard Salas, shared stories about their own experiences and triumphs in the face of adversity.
Congratulations to our 2022 Award Recipients!
Farmworkers of the Year:
SOPHIA ROLAND MARÍA NARVÁEZ
ROSA ISELA ARTEAGA
Partner of the Year:
CARE FOR YOURSELF
Thank you to all who made the 2022 I’m Thankful for Farmworkers Dinner possible, including our sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and supporters.
All gifts to Proteus, Inc. advance our mission to provide agricultural workers and their families with affordable health care, education assistance, and job training. The corporate and individual donors listed below are recognized for gifts made over $250 in agregate in 2022. Thank you to all donors for your generous support!
ArtForce Iowa
Athene
Bankers Trust
Bayer
Business Publications Corporation
Businessolver
Community Foundation of Greater
Des Moines
Dentons Davis Brown
Des Moines University
Doria Trading International
GreenState Credit Union
Hola Iowa
Hy-Vee
IA Primary Care Association
Iowa Environmental Council
Iowa Pork Producers Association
Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival
Infinite Resources
Kum & Go
Lola’s Fine Hot Sauce
Midwest Premier Foods
Nationwide Insurance
NCMIC Group, Inc.
Polk County Board of Supervisors
Securitas Security Services, USA
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Alex Risk
Alissa Brammer
Dr. Angela Franklin
Andrea Haney
Brett & Shelon Wilson
Brett Middendorf
Carla Beste
Carlos Tenesaca
Christine Her
Christopher Santillan Baca & Amanda Bloom
Dallas Sanders
Dan & Mary Beth Hamann
Daniel Wertish
Daniel Zinnel
Darcy Hall
Ellen Maahs
Gloria Vermie
Dr. Hijinio Carreon
Holly Kluever
Ivan T Webber
Jessica Taylor Erwin
Joe González
Joey Patino & Peter Larkin
Juliana Dreyer
Kristin Hoffman
Linda Lynch
Nathan Seyfer
Nathan Seyfer
Paxton Williams
Dr. Richard Salas & Beatrice
Silva-Salas
Rob Sand
Robert & Rose Mary Pratt
Rona Berinobis
Shellie Mackel
Suzanna de Baca
Taufeek Shah
Theresa Kehoe & Bobby
Bailey
Toby O’Berry
Tom & Kyrie Wong
Tom & Melody Miller
Vilma Bramasco
