Director’sNote
CarrieWoerdeman,ExecutiveDirector
It’shardtobelievethatJulyisuponusagain!Constructionisinfullswing with six homes currently underway and many more on the horizon! We're thrilled to see all of the homeownership applications coming in and we eagerlyanticipatethedaywhenfamilieswillmoveintotheirnewhomes.
We’re proud to share that we once again participated in the Build My Future event in April. Students from across Iowa had the chance to learn about framing firsthand from our Property Development team. Together, theyconstructedenoughwallstoassemblesixsheds,whichwillbedonated to families in need. To bring this project to completion, we’ll be hosting a volunteer build day at each homeowner’s property on July 24th, and we’d loveforyoutojoinusinmakingadifference!
We’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new website this quarter! Our team has worked diligently to create a more user-friendly, visually engaging, and informative platform to better serve our community. Whetheryou'reexploringourlatestservices,accessingresources,orstaying up to date on upcoming events - our new website is designed to enhance your experience. Stay tuned for more updates and enjoy exploring our new site!
Last but certainly not least, we are pleased to welcome our newest Housing Counselor, Simren Ballagan! With her background in refugee resettlement, Simren is a fantastic addition to our team. Our Housing Counseling team continues to work diligently to improve our processes and procedures to ensure our clients receive the most impactful and comprehensivesupportpossible,andweknowSimrenwillbeawonderfulfit to help us continue to provide valuable housing counseling services to our community.
Q2 HIGHLIGHTS
HOME, INC. DEMOS
FRAMING AT
BUILD MY FUTURE
BackinApril,HOME,Inc.participatedinthe BuildMyFutureevent,aexposhowcasing varioustradesforstudentsfromacross Iowa.Theeventattractedover7,000 studentseagertoexploredifferentcareer opportunities,andweprovidedaframing demo.Studentsenthusiasticallytookpart andsuccessfullybuiltenoughwallpanels toassemblesixshedstobedonatedto homeownersinneed!We’reexcitedto sharethatonJuly24th,wewillbe completingthefinalconstructionofthese shedsoneachhomeowner’sproperty!
STORIES OF IMPACT
TheBaccamfamilyhadlivedintheirhome forover30years.Overtheyears,the propertyhadgraduallyfallenintodisrepair, makingitincreasinglydifficulttonavigate andmaintain.Additionally,thehousewas notequippedtoaccommodatea wheelchairuser.Recognizingtheirneedfor amoreaccessibleandsecureliving environment,wewereabletoassistthem byspeciallymodifyingoneofourhome buildstomeetADAstandards.Including addingasturdy,easy-to-navigaterampat thesideentrancebythegarage.These improvementshavegreatlyimprovedthe family’sindependence,safety,andcomfort.
Q2 HIGHLIGHTS
OurMarketingteamhasbeenworkingdiligentlyformonthstoredesignedour websiteanditisofficiallylaunched!Ournewsiteoffersamodernlook,improved navigation,moreservices,andaseamlessexperiencetobetterserveyou.Nowwhen you 'rebrowsingforresources,updates,orwaystoconnect,you'llfindeverything moreaccessibleanduser-friendly.Visitusathomeincdsm.organdexploreournew onlinehometoday!Wecan'twaitforyoutoexperiencethenewsite,andkeepalook outformorewebsiteupdatesthisyear!
Wearethrilledtointroduceanewaddition toourteam!SimrenBallaganisournewest HousingCounselor,andwillhelpusbetter servetheDesMoinescommunityatevery stageoftheirhousingjourney!
IwenttoIowaStateandhavepast experienceinrefugeeresettlement.I sourcedaffordablehousingandassisted refugeefamiliesacrosstheDesMoines metroarea.Inmyfreetime,Ilovespending timewithmydogandreading.I'mexcitedto jointheteam!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
We’regratefultotheWomen’sAffordableHousingNetworkfortheirincrediblesupport! Recently,adedicatedgroupfromtheorganizationvolunteeredwithus,helpingtogive one of our homes a final cleaning before a family moved in. Their generosity and teamwork made a meaningful difference to help us provide safe and comfortable housing for those in need. Thank you to WAHN making a positive impact in our community!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY!
Weareseekingenthusiasticvolunteerstohelpbuildshedsfordeservinghomeowners! Hands-on work with a team to set up the platform, raise and assemble the walls, put up the trusses, shingle, and then paint. No prior construction experience is necessary! Our team partnered with Hildreth Construction Services will provide guidance and trainingthroughouttheproject.Registerhere:https://bit.ly/VolunteerWithHOMEInc
THINGS TO KNOW
