Anawim Housing
Monthly E-Newsletter | December 2023
GIVE THE GIFT OF HOME
Your gift today enables Anawim to offer a solution to a crisis so many in our community are facing and desperately need - Housing.
For over 36 years, Anawim Housing has been building homes, hope and community. Our team works tirelessly to provide safe, affordable housing for over 990 families, and Permanent Supportive Housing for over 390 individuals across Iowa.

But we simply cannot meet he need on our own. It is only through the combined financial support we receive from you - our community of supporters, donors, friends, and funders - that we can continue this vital work. And today, the need is greater than ever before. Your gift and support is truly critical to our mission.

There is an increasing financial need at Anawim Housing.

In the past two years, we have experienced a decline in donations while we have also seen an increase in cost to serve and maintain people in housing.

To meet the cost, we need you. Your gift helps us continue to meet the growing need for services in a time of increasing financial need.
100% of your gift directly supports our programs and services. We cannot meet the rapidly growing need for increased housing and services in our community without your help.

We invite you to join us in financially supporting Anawim Housing.

Your gift today supports our mission, which is critical to the community we share, and the hundreds of families and individuals we serve in our affordable housing and Permanent Supportive Housing programs.

Together, we can build a stronger, more supportive community. Make your secure online donation through our website by clicking below:
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SARAH'S STORY
Anawim Housing serves over 390 individuals in our Permanent Supportive Housing programs. That's where we meet Sarah.

Sarah's story is transformative and inspiring. She will be the first to tell you it's not easy, and it's not over. But she's put in the work to care for herself and figure out a new, healthier way forward.

"In the beginning, when I needed housing, I didn't know where to start. So, God kind of put things into place. And going to jail was part of that." Sarah experienced homelessness for may years, and struggled with drug addiction. After incarceration, Sarah entered into a jail diversion program that helped connect her to Centralized Intake with Primary Healthcare. She was referred to an Anawim Housing PSH program and it has now been seven years since Sarah first moved into housing with Anawim.

Sarah's substance use was and is something she struggled with for many years.

Click READ MORE to continue reading Sarah's inspiring story.
Pictured: Sarah, Anawim Housing Program Tenant

ANAWIM 2023 PROGRAM TENANT SURVEY: UPLIFTING AND INSIGHTFUL
Every year, our programs team sends out a voluntary tenant survey to all Permanent Supportive Housing program participants. The survey asks them to rate and provide comments on our staff and programming. It's an important part of what we do to ensure that we're listening, respecting and meeting the needs of our residents.

The results from the 2023 survey are inspiring and speak highly of our hardworking team!
Tenant Survey Highlights:

  • 100% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they are treated with courtesy and respect by Anawim staff

  • 100% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that Anawim staff does a good job listening to them

  • 96% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that Anawim staff accept them for who they are

  • 96% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that Anawim staff respect their privacy and confidentiality

Some respondents chose to leave a comment - and their responces were inspiring:

"My program manager listens to my needs and acts on them."

"The staff has always made me feel like a normal person -- not disabled. I feel safe and respected. I have gotten way more than I could have ever imagined."

Learn more about the Anawim Housing approach and Permanent Supportive Housing programs by clicking LEARN MORE.
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ANAWIM RECIEVES SUPPORT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
We are so grateful for our community of partners and supporters! Thank you to our friends at Des Moines Area Association of Realtors for supporting Anawim Housing through a $5,500 donation. And thank you to Luana Savings Bank for your gift to support our mission! Every gift to Anawim helps give the gift of safe, affordable, supportive housing to those in need in our community.
Pictured L-R: Cindy Pelz, Des Moines Area Association of Realtors; Kourtney Kirkpatrick, Anawim Housing
Thank you for your household item donations to our Home is Everything Gift Drive!
Last Friday, we wrapped up our Home is Everything Gift Drive - thank you to all who donated! These donations help us make a house a home for those moving in from homelessness and mean so much to our residents. .

Missed the gift drive but still want to help? It's never too late! We are always accepting donations of new or gently used household essentials. For more information on our item collection needs or other ways to get involved with Anawim Housing, please visit our website by clicking LEARN MORE!
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From all of us at Anawim Housing, we wish you a joyful holiday and a home filled with happiness throughout the new year!
This time of year, we reflect on all that Anawim has been a part of - all of the change and all of the growth over the past year - from welcoming in our new President - Cynthia Latcham, to breaking ground on our Permanent Supportive Housing project - the Monarch Apartments and the affordable housing project - Star Lofts, to providing Permanent Supportive Housing to over 390 individuals, and affordable housing to over 990 individuals across Polk County. It's been a big year.

Thank you for giving of your time this year to reading and following along with our announcements about the work we do, for attending our events, and for giving in support of our mission. You support is truly critical to the work we do day in and day out. We commit to being here and working tirelessly every day to help ensure everyone in our community has a safe place to call home.

We encourage you to join us in this commitment in the year ahead. Learn More about the work we do, and all the ways to give and support Anawim Housing by visiting our website.
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Interested in helping us work to solve homelessness?

Anawim Housing develops stable homes and strengthens communities