Anawim Housing
Monthly E-Newsletter | September 2023
JOIN US FOR THE MONARCH APARTMENTS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
IFA Director Durham & Supervisor Connolly to Speak
Join us next Tuesday, September 19th, for a ceremonial groundbreaking as we kickoff construction on the Monarch Apartments. Anawim Housing is proud to be developing this project - the first hotel conversion into Permanent Supportive Housing project in the state of Iowa! Speakers at the ceremony will include Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham, and Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly.

The Monarch Apartments is Anawim's conversion of a former hotel on Merle Hay Road into 40 Permanent Supportive Housing apartments with 24 hour onsite supportive services to house those currently experiencing literal homelessness. Many served will have a qualifying disability. Anawim will provide evidence based services such as trauma informed care and client-centered motivational interviewing.

Join us!
Date: Tuesday, September 19th
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm *Ceremony to start promptly at 11:45am
Where: 4845 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines
Learn more about the Monarch Apartments by clicking Read More
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ANAWIM AT THE 2023 IFA HOUSINGIOWA CONFERENCE
Presenting, Connecting and Learning
Last week, team members of Anawim Housing had the valuable opportunity to connect, share, and learn at the Iowa Finance Authority 2023 HousingIowa Conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet with partners state and countrywide on all things housing - from affordable, to market rate, to permanent supportive housing. The conference continues to grow with a remarkable 900+ registrants at this year's event.

Our team was invited to present on multiple topics:
  • Cynthia Latcham, President, presented on Permanent Supportive Housing in Iowa.
  • Kate Bergeron, our Director of Marketing, presented on The Power of Storytelling.
  • Nick Goede - VP of Development - and Cynthia Latcham, together with Laura Rossbert of ShopWorks, were one of 4 developer groups chosen to present a pitch for the first IFA Innovation In Housing Competition.

Members of our property management team - Sarah Avila, Sr. Compliance Manager; Jeresa Powell, Sr. Property Manager; and Helen Trisko, Property & Compliance Manager - attended several continuing education trainings on the LIHTC program.

Pictured L-R: Jeremy Orcutt, Anawim Director of Programs & Services; Jeresa Powell, Anawim Sr. Property Manager; Helen Trisko, Anawim Property & Compliance Manager; Cynthia Latcham, Anawim President; Kate Bergeron, Anawim Director of Marketing & Communications.
View photos from the conference on our Facebook page by clicking READ MORE!

FALL TOUR OF HOMES: Oct. 18th
Register to Join!
Catch a ride with us to learn more about our history and the services Anawim Housing provides, all while viewing some of our diverse housing portfolio across the community. View multi and single-family affordable housing, as well as permanent supportive housing.

Join us!
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 18th
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Anawim Housing Office -
1750 48th St. Des Moines

Tour is one hour and lunch will be provided. Registration is required. Click the link to register you and a friend!

JOIN US NOV. 2nd! REGISTRATION OPEN
We Empower Families ThanksGIVING Event at Mainframe Studios
It's one of our favorite times of the year - the Anawim Housing We Empower Families ThanksGIVING event! We invite you to join us for an inspiring evening of community and giving, with stories of resiliency and empowerment. This event is proudly presented by: Claudette & P.J. McDonald, Patty & Jim Cownie Charitable Fund, and George & Deb Milligan.

Date: Thursday, Nov. 2nd
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: Mainframe Studios in Des Moines - 900 Keo Way. Des Moines

The WEF ThanksGIVING event directly supports the individuals and families who call Anawim Housing home and the life-changing programs and services we provide. Hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine will be provided. We look forward to sharing more as the event nears. Event is free to attend and open to all!

Click the link to register!
We invite you to consider a gift in support of We Empower Families: Click LEARN MORE for additional event details, information on becoming a member of We Empower Families or to make an online donation.
A special thank you to all of our wonderful 2023 ThanksGIVING Event sponsors!
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KOURTNEY KIRKPATRICK JOINS ANAWIM HOUSING AS DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT
We are very excited to introduce Kourtney Kirkpatrick who has joined the Anawim Housing team as our new Director of Advancement! Kourtney is an Iowa native who comes to us from the housing nonprofit world with an extensive 13 year background in fundraising, community outreach and relationship building.

We sat down with Kourtney to learn a little more about her:

What are some of the things you are looking forward to most about your role with Anawim as the Director of Advancement?
I am genuinely so excited to be working at Anawim because I get to continue making a great impact and drive positive change in a field I am deeply passionate about. I get to share the mission and vision of Anawim while building meaningful connections. It doesn't get much better than that!

What in your experience is often the most enjoyable or surprising part of being in fundraising?
My favorite part of fundraising is making meaningful connections with individuals and organizations who share a passion for housing. It's a privilege to engage in heartfelt conversations, hear inspiring stories, and witness the genuine enthusiasm that people have for making a difference. Fundraising, at its core, is about bringing people together to effect positive change, and that sense of unity and shared commitment is what makes it such a fulfilling and enjoyable endeavor.

Read Kourtney's full interview on our Stories From the Field Blog by clicking READ MORE!

SEPT. 29TH: RECOVERY MONTH BARBECUE
All Are Welcome!
Join us on Friday September 29th as we celebrate National Recovery Month with a family friendly barbecue! Anawim Housing is partnering with area agencies to honor those in recovery who have suffered from addiction or substance use who are taking steps toward their version of a healthier and more rewarding life:


Recovery Month Barbecue
When: Friday, September 29th, 5-7pm
Where: Full Circle Recovery Community Center - located next to the Anawim Housing office: 1750 48h Street, Des Moines, IA.


Event will include fun for the whole family with a photo booth bus, face painting, and food and beverages! No registration required - event is free and open to all.

Event partner agencies - Anawim Housing, The Beacon, Full Circle Recovery Community Center, Employee and Family Resources, and UCS Healthcare.

IOWA TOTAL CARE HYGIENE DRIVE FOR ANAWIM HOUSING
A big thank you to Iowa Total Care who stopped by the office to drop off wonderful hygiene kits that were collected through their company drive to benefit Anawim housing residents. Kits included shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, wipes and more. Anawim Program Managers look forward to helping distribute these essential items to residents in need. 

If you or a company are looking for donation opportunities, we encourage you to check out all the ways to get involved by clicking LEARN MORE!
Pictured L-R: Kourtney Kirkpatrick, Anawim Director of Advancement; Matthew Beitelspacher, Iowa Total Care; Terrance Butts, Anawim Program Manager, and Wanda Price, Anawim Program Manager.

ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE NOW - VIEW ONLINE!
The Anawim Housing 2022 Annual Report | 2023 Progress Report is now available. Take a look inside for a yearly review of all the services, properties, projects and supports Anawim Housing and Allterra Property Solutions provide throughout our state, thanks to your ongoing support!

Read online by clicking READ MORE. To request a hardcopy, please contact kbergeron@anawimhousing.org.


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Anawim Housing develops stable homes and strengthens communities