Harmony- I'm making both a "best case scenario" list and a "worst case scenario" list for the Des Moines, Iowa area. ======================= Hope Family Center http://www.hopeiowa.org/programs_services/hope_family.html Hope Family Center In Fall 2004, Hope Ministries opened the Hope Family Center—located at 3333 E. University Avenue in Des Moines—a long-term faith-based (Christ-centered) residential program designed to restore hope to homeless women and their children. It’s a little-known fact, but it’s true: most shelters can only house a family in crisis for up to 30 days. On day 31, they’re on their own, and still in crisis. At full capacity, we will be able to provide help for up to 48 women and their children. Key elements of the Center include: • A stable environment for children to thrive and parents to grow and heal. • A well-designed, faith-based, Christ-centered program that encourages responsibility and accountability, while providing the tools and life-skills necessary for real, measurable progress toward independence. • Individual living facilities for each family to promote family life and dignity with sufficient measures in place to ensure safety and security. The goal of the Hope Family Center is to love, encourage and motivate mothers and children to consider making significant life-change. The program is designed for twelve months or longer. Residents are provided opportunities to learn and grow in three basic areas: spiritual life, basic life skills, and addiction recovery, thereby giving them a foundation on which to build a new life. All residents must work towards their educational goals while living at the Hope Family Center (e.g., GED, Junior College, or at a University). The Greater Des Moines Remodeling Council is currently renovating the basement of one of our houses into office space, meeting and classrooms, and children’s activity areas. =========================== Iowa Shelters (all kinds) http://www.sheltered-reality.org/html/homeless_shelters.html Home Connection http://www.thehomeconnection.org 700 Euclid Ave Des Moines, IA 50313 (515) 244-9748 ====================== Iowa Coalition for Housing and the Homeless Mr. Jim Cain, Executive Director 713 E Locust Des Moines, IA 50309-1915 Phone: 515-288-5022 Fax: 515-282-1810 Email: ichhjc@qwest.net Robert Simmons, Outreach Coordinator Email: ichhrs@qwest.net Established: 1988 Number of staff: 2.5 Board members: 16 Members: 2000+ Mission: To develop statewide and local public policies designed to address the housing and homeless crisis in Iowa; to an build effective statewide and local coalition to focus on housing needs; to educate the public policy makers on the housing needs of homeless and low income individuals; and to provide technical assistance to member agencies on fundraising, capacity building, public policy and public education. ========================

The Home Connection http://www.thehomeconnection.org/ 700-Euclid Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50313 (515) 244-9748 voice (515) 883-1788 fax info@thehomeconnection.org "The Home Connection (formerly The Des Moines Coalition for the Homeless) was established in 1985 for the purpose of advocacy and education in the area of homelessness. Originally formed by local homeless service providers who saw the need for an organization that would advocate for the needs of the very poor and homeless in Des Moines, the Coalition worked to spotlight the shortage of affordable housing, the lack of emergency assistance for poor families and laws that discriminated against low-income tenants. Reflecting a change in focus from advocacy to direct service, in 2001 we changed our name to The Home Connection and adopted the motto: Connecting Homeless Families to Home and Community. Our Transitional Housing Program has 21 homes for homeless families with children under the age of eighteen. They can stay with us for up to two years providing they are working on specific goals to change their current situation. With the support and encouragement of a case manager, the families work in areas of finances, employment, education, housing, and family relationships. Since 1989 we have placed 125 families with an 85% success rate. We follow up with the family for at least one year after they leave Transitional Housing."

Any updates on this program?