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Board of Directors
Pat Kocour
President
Steve Van Riper Vice President
Darci Tierney Secretary/Treasurer Kara Minnihan Tom Hanafan
Eddie Holtz
Greg Christiansen
Gale Renz
Kyla Alba
Brent Dillinger CEO
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Outdoor Pavillion Project Update 
Crossroads of Western Iowa has received a $15,000 grant from the Harrison County HF 2302 Grant Fund for an outdoor pavilion/classroom that will provide a space for outdoor educational classes, physical activity and social learning through peer interaction for individuals served as well as the community.
The outdoor pavilion will take steps to design an outdoor space with sidewalks, shrubs, plumbing, lighting and fencing to help guard from the highway. There will be an effort to tailor the design to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and the community. Crossroads has partnered with Missouri Valley School's shop class, with the shop class contributing up to $20,000 of labor at no cost to Crossroads.
The Missouri Valley High School shop class has been working very hard on the outdoor classroom/pavilion for our LINKS program. Crossroads has been extremely impressed with Paul Oldberg and his class's work in the past couple of months. The shop class is at Crossroads almost every afternoon Monday through Friday, no matter what the weather - rain, snow or shine.
The classroom/pavilion is expected to be completed in the spring of 2012. Once completed Crossroads will celebrate by having an open house in honor of the Missouri Valley School's shop class. Having the outdoor classroom will give the individuals we serve the opportunity to expand their gardening skills and participate in more outdoor activities. It will 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.
Brent Dillinger, CEO, states "We are appreciative of the grant funds received and feel this project will serve as another link to bring our clients and programs together with various community groups and citizens. The collaboration with the MVHS shop class and the local gardening club and their collective volunteer efforts will go a long way to make this outdoor classroom a success."
Over the past 10 years, the Harrison County Community Foundation has distributed over $1.1 million. They work with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create permanent funds that address the changing, vital community needs and interests. |
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Crossroad's Wish List
Crossroads has come up with a "Wish list". This Wish list serves as another way to give, it consists of items that can be given as in kind donations. Check it out below under "Ways to Give"!
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Brent Dillinger Recieves Citizen of the Year in Missouri Valley
Brent Dillinger recieved the Missouri Valley Chamber of Commerce's Citzen of the Year Award. The annual awards are given for Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Youth Volunteer, Adult Volunteer, Employee, Business Beautification, and Lifetime Achievement.
Left:Pastor Dave McGaffey, the current president of the Missouri Valley Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors
Right: Brent Dillinger, CEO Crossroads of Western Iowa
Photo Courtesy of the Missouri Valley Times-News
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CWI Vocational Coordinator Recieves 2012 Memorial Hospital Medical Services Foundation's "Citizen of the Year"
The 2012 Community Memorial Hospital Medical Services Foundation's "Citizen of the Year" is Clint Sargent of Missouri Valley.
The Alegent Health Community Memorial Hospital Medical Services Foundation "Byways of Excellence Award Dinner" will be held Saturday, Feb. 11, at Shadow Valley Golf Club in Woodbine.
The Byways evening is a celebration of the communities in Harrison County and will be following a new format implemented this year by the Medical Services Foundation Board. This year there will be one award presented to the "Citizen of the Year." Someone who has bettered a community through their professional and or personal contributions. The recipient has established a legacy on which future Excellence Award honorees will be built.
Click here for a link to the Missouri Valley Times article. |
LINKS  Program Onawa
One of the ways the Onawa LINKS program gives back to the community is to volunteer for the Meals-on -Wheels program through the Onawa Senior Center. Partnered with one of the area churches, the Links group is on the regular rotation. There is no shortage of consumers willing to help with this program.The consumers and staff enjoy delivering lunch and visiting with these new friends.
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"LINKS" and "Career" Program s
The Phoenix House provides community outreach to many organizations in Council Bluffs. Crossroads of Western Iowa "CAREER" and "LINKS" programs began meeting with outreach provider, Vicky Lynn in November 2011.
This is a ten week course and explores different types of harassment and unhealthy relationships in personal lives and the work place. Many activities were provided that assisted consumers in understanding and identifying healthy relationships and identifying potentially unsafe and negative relationships.
During this ten week time frame consumers in this program are encouraged to talk about those delicate subjects in a very mature and candid form. Vicky Lynn offers support and information in a relaxed environment.
Those who participated became very interactive in the classes provided and are looking forward to making a bracelet with Vicky Lynn bringing conclusion to the class.
For more information on the LINKS Career program call 712.328.1930 or e-mail Amy Ebsen at amy.ebsen@cwiowa.org
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Spiritual Growth 
Crossroads' Missouri Valley location had a pleasant surprise at their Spiritual Growth.
Ruth Murray of Council Bluffs gave the message and then did a bell choir. She gave out different colored bells and then individuals served rang the bells according to the colored cards that Ruth held up.
Everyone enjoyed the music. Thank you Ruth Murray! |
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Onawa LINKS Volunteer
The Onawa Links program has begun volunteering at the Act II store in Onawa. This is a consignment shop sponsored by the Burgess Health Center.
It is staffed largely by volunteers. The funds raised at the store benefit the Burgess Wellness programs in the community and other hospital programs.
The consumers are kept busy straightening displays, sorting donated items and helping customers. The list of consumers wanting to volunteer at Act II grows each week. |
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The Cooking Corner
 Council Bluffs CWI Office has begun offering a "cooking packet" every month titled "The Cooking Corner" as a new tool for clients to encourage personal wellness. The packet includes important lessons involving Food Safety. The Cooking Corner also features healthy choice recipes with limited ingredients that are easy to make. We have had some wonderful feedback and expect this to really take off among the consumers. The Cooking Corner has already proved beneficial to CWI clients as well as a good tool for staff to help encourage clients in completing their goals. Any questions should be directed to Jessica at jessica.gann@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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Wish List
The following is a list of needs for our day and residential programs. Making a gift by donating the funds to purchase one of these items is very easy
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Choose the item(s) that you wish to designate your gift toward -
Mail a note indicating your choices and payment to Crossroads of Western Iowa, c/o Nicole Steier, 535 W Broadway Suite 201, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 -
Or Donate Online.
LIST OF NEEDS
1. Curriculum that teaches social and life skills. Cost:$1,000
2. Hard drive to connect large screen TV to the Internet. This would be used to access teaching tools available on the Internet. Cost:$1,000
3. Video Projector to use for accessing teaching tools on computer and Internet. Cost:$1,000
4.Camcorder for LINKS. Cost:$700
5.Digital Camera for use by individuals served. Cost:$500
6.Printer for pictures taken by consumers. Cost:$300
7. DVD recorder for a computer. Cost:$200
8. Cable hook up to view global events and news items. Cost:$200 hook up and monthly charge
9. Accessibility items for easier use of computers for individuals served - buttons, switches to attach to electronic items for easy on and off. Cost:$1,100
10. Woodworking equipment
11. Puzzles for different levels and abilities
12. Adaptive forks, spoons, bowls and plates
13. Bocce Ball court |
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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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