Central Iowa Shelter History

1992-2007

In the early 1990's, five homeless people froze to death on the streets of Des Moines. Prompted by these tragedies, eight area churches joined together in 1992 with the vision of a nondenominational shelter for homeless adults - a shelter that removed barriers of cost and length of stay, and that did not discriminate on the basis of gender, race or religion. From this movement, Churches United, Inc. of the Greater Des Moines Area was born. In July 2006, the name was changed to Central Iowa Shelter and Services to better reflect the geographic reach and scope of programming provided through the agency.

Seven of the original congregations committed to provide accommodations one night each week, so the folks we served were being moved every day. They slept on cots and sleeping bags, grateful for the safety of these temporary shelters. By 1994, Central Iowa Shelter had acquired sufficient community support and resources to establish a permanent facility, and the current emergency shelter was built at 205 15th Street in Des Moines. Since 1992 approximately 25,000 homeless women and men have received emergency shelter and assistive services to help them move beyond homelessness. Programming continues to evolve to meet emerging homeless and community needs.

Our Mission

Central Iowa Shelter’s mission is to provide free shelter to homeless adults regardless of physical or emotional conditions, and to facilitate their move toward self-sufficiency. Primary organization goals are to: 1) provide safe emergency and transitional shelter and meals to homeless men and women; and 2) provide resource assistance to guests to move them beyond homelessness toward independent living.

Agency Overview

One hundred two emergency shelter beds are available for homeless men and women from 4 pm – 8 am daily, with an additional 14 beds allocated as longer-term transitional housing for homeless veterans. Guests are provided evening and breakfast meals; access to shower and laundry facilities, a weekly medical clinic, and group counseling; as well as individualized case management, lifeskills instruction, and referrals to other community services/benefits, where appropriate. These services are provided at a cost of approximately $12/guest/day, with no fees charged to guests.

CENTRAL IOWA SHELTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

James E. Ferguson – President	James F. Wessels, CPA, CFA – Vice President
Timothy Craig, CPA – Treasurer	Judy Anderson – Secretary
Matthew C. McDermott – Past President	Richard C. Grangaard
Amanda Brend	Justin Schoen
Chad Alley	Shirlee Reding