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Board of Directors
Pat Kocour
President
Steve Van Riper Vice President
Darci Tierney Secretary/Treasurer
Theresa Jozwiak Kara Minnihan Tom Hanafan
Eddie Holtz
Brent Dillinger CEO
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Iowa West Foundation Awards $30,000 to Crossroads for Lift Vans
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Crossroads of Western Iowa has received a $30,000 grant from the Iowa West Foundation for new lift vans. These vans will provide transportation for individuals in wheelchairs and/or those with limited mobility to gain access to their community.
Brent Dillinger, CEO, states "We are extremely thankful for the generous support we have received. These vital funds will go a long way to enhance the lives of the many individuals we serve while creating greater opportunities to access their community."
By increasing the number of lift vans accessible to the individuals we serve, Crossroads will be able to improve overall well-being of individuals by enhancing their sense of community. In one year Crossroads will be able to decrease the barriers that exist due to transportation and increase the level of community involvement. By having an additional lift van Crossroads will be able to continue to empower individuals to overcome the everyday restrictions they experience throughout the community and in their own lives.
The Iowa West Foundation announced nearly$2.8 million in grants for the first quarter. Their mission is to improve lives and strengthen communities for today and future generations. They do this by providing leadership, creating partnerships, leveraging resources and serving as a catalyst in identifying and supporting community needs.
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Harrison County Community Foundation Awards Crossroads $15,000 for Outdoor Pavillion/Classroom
Harrison County Community Foundation approved the grant in the amount of $15,000 submitted for Crossroads of Western Iowa to create an outdoor pavillion/classroom.
The outdoor pavilion/classroom will provide a space for outdoor educational classes, physical activity and social learning through peer interaction as well as multifaceted approaches to life skills development that will maximize individuals learning success.
It will also create a unique opportunity to increase volunteers and community involvement by offering significant benefits to clients as well as the community. It will provide opportunities for assisting in hands-on activities, art projects or service activities as well as picnics, ability awareness day and small community meetings.
A main component of the outdoor pavilion will be a garden. Gardening is the number one outdoor leisure activity for American adults, with the benefits being endless. It provides regular physical activity including stretching, coordination and weight resistance. It requires planning, research and problem solving and is considered to be a stress reducing activity that encourages cognitive, sensory and motor activity which are important skills for individuals with development disabilities and chronic mental illness. |
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Volunteer Work
LINKS, Onawa
Part of the LINKS program is giving back to your community. Shown here are Onawa consumers putting together packets for hand out by the Monona County Extension Office. Volunteers set up an assembly line and in no time had over a hundred bags.ready for use.
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LINKS Zoo Outing
LINKS, Onawa
Thanks to the generosity of the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo Special Pass program, the Onawa consumers continue to experience the zoo on a year around basis.
The zoo is one of the favorite LINKS outings. There is so much to see that sometimes staff divide the zoo into sections. The consumers are encouraged to use the computer or the library to prepare for these outings. Some individuals keep journals of the zoo trips and the animals they have observed.
The consumers shown here are enjoying the Lied Jungle.
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New LINKS Career Program
The Career Program is designed to provide individualized services to each participant assisting them in preparation for community employment.
Program Highlights: Interest Profiler - Assessment Career exploration Job shadowing Developing resumes Completing applications Interview preparation Budgeting development Hygiene skill development Identification of work behaviors Low client-to-staff ratio Qualified staff with ongoing training For more information on the LINKS Career program call 712.328.1930 or e-mail Amy Ebsen at amy.ebsen@cwiowa.org |
Make Over for Crossroads Day Program!
Council Bluffs day program facility on 9th Avenue is getting a make-over.
What was once a meeting room will now be a Media Room. The walls have been repainted, the floors are being redone, new furniture has been ordered and wall paper will be put up!
This room will be used by the CONNECT program as a room to watch movies, play nintendo wii and just relax and have a good time with friends. Look for updates in next month's newsletter. |
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New Repsite Program CONNECT
Starting in the Spring of 2011, Crossroads will offer group respite services. The services will be offered at 1529 9th Ave, Council Bluffs. The program is designed to give care givers personal time. Program Details: This service will be available on weekday evenings, Friday and Saturday. Monday - Thursday 4:00p.m.-10:00p.m. Friday 4:00p.m.-11:00p.m. Saturday 11:00p.m.-11:00p.m. Activities Offered: A monthly calendar of events and activities will be published a month in advance so individuals will be able to select the activities in which they want to participate. - Sporting events
- Concerts
- Movie night
- Wii & Computer
- Crafts
Admission Criteria: - Funded by an outside source (arranged by your case manager or private pay)
- Follow safety rules of Crossroads
- Designed to support individuals 16 years of age or older (some exceptions may apply)
- Must not be harmful to others
- Must have a diagnosed disability
- Cannot be a current user of drugs or alcohol
For more information on the CONNECT program call 712.328.1930 or e-mail Amy Ebsen at amy.ebsen@cwiowa.org |
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The Crossroads' Heroes Program is designed to honor achievements, such as setting an attaining a goal by a Crossroads consumer, participating in community outreach, or an example of exceptional care for others through service, dedication by a consumer, family member, staff member or volunteer. Birthdays, anniversaries or personal milestones can be a perfect time to acknowledge those who make a difference in the inspirational experiences found at Crossroads.
E-mail nicole.steier@cwiowa.org to find out more or click here to download the brochure. |
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Patsy Wise
Crossroads' Hero
"Patsy was a huge part of the Crossroads program. She was very involved with the residential and vocational programs. Patsy is gone but will not be forgotten by her friends at Crossroads." - Kim Coffelt |
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Shawn Corbett
Crossroads' Hero
"Shawn was a fighter... he fought cancer and fought to break down barriers for people with disabilites. Shawn was a huge part of the Crossroads Residential program. Shawn is greatly missed by his friends at CWI."- Kim Coffelt |
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Our core values include respect for every individual, basic Christian principles, constant improvements, honesty, ethics, and financial responsibility along with teamwork. All values are reflected in every aspect of our business model.
Sincerely,
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Nicole Steier
Crossroads of Western Iowa |
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