2023 Annual Report
Project Iowa is not just an organization; it is a community that believes in the power of connecting people to their purpose. We listen and encourage individuals to name their ideas, passions, hopes, and dreams and then assist them in reaching them.
Adjustments Made to Cultivating Careers in 2023
Cultivating Careers is our signature program that teaches participants to have a positive mindset, believing that they are enough, and to obtain meaningful and stable employment.
We heard from potential participants that they were struggling to commit to the longer time frame program. We listened and adjustments were made. We shortened the training time from eight-weeks to four-weeks, and are offering morning and evening sessions, both online and in-person. Sessions are also now being held monthly so we can work with even more individuals on their career path.
56
This year 56 individuals completed the Cultivating Careers program.
57%
new placements
28%
remained at current employer with new skills
There are also countless success stories that continue to inspire us, as we witness individuals who have overcome adversity and achieved their dreams with the support of Project Iowa. The following stories provide a glimpse into some of our participants and the impact Project Iowa has had on their lives.
[Project IOWA] helps those who are lost and want assistance to find the right path to expand their career.
Kim’s Story
Project IOWA matters because it does not only give people the “fish” but also the “fishing pole for fishing”. It gives people not only the way and skills to get a job but also a foundation to be able to survive the madness from job world.
Lanny’s Story
Ever since going through Project IOWA I am now in control of my destiny. I am more aware of what I want, and I am not afraid of asking for it.
Rachel’s Story
Youthworks
We had a successful first year at East High School with our new program YouthWorks. Over the course of 11 months students participated in a training course that prepared them for their internships and then worked a total of 1,881 hours at their job sites. The interns graduated from high school this past May and gained admission to their top-choice college.
New Membership Model – Grow With Us!
We launched our new membership model-Grow with Us! Individuals have the opportunity to purchase a membership and have access to benefits including access to a members-only online community, early access and/or special pricing to events, workshops, and community events, access to special resources, 1:1 coaching sessions, cover letter and resume consultation and review, and more.
Community Outreach Efforts
We’ve expanded our community outreach efforts, reaching more populations and building strong connections within the communities we serve.
Started a new partnership with DMACC and Apprenticeship America in order to offer training in high need files that offer certification.
Continued partnership with AMOS working on solutions around mental health issues in the workplace and other workforce opportunities.
A priority this year for us was to get our name and services out into the community. One way we did this was by attending more job fairs, outreach events, Farmers Markets. Meeting other nonprofits, individuals that could benefit from our programs and services, along with raising awareness in Des Moines and surrounding communities.
We are incredibly grateful for everyone who supports Project Iowa with financial contributions, participating in an event, program, or service, and spreading the word about the good work that is being done in our community. None of this would have been possible without the generous support of individuals like you. These contributions have made a significant difference in the lives of people that live in our community. Thank you!
Financials
Project IOWA is committed to transparency and accountability in all that we do. To learn more about our organization’s impact and financial stewardship, click on the button below.
July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
The Project IOWA Team
Gaby Palacios
Director of Programming
April Wyett
Wellness Facilitator
Gabriel Moreno
Enrollment Specialist
Lezly Marquez
Intern
Kim Stewart
Path to Purpose & Wellness Facilitator
Selena Jachens
Wellness Facilitator
Harris Kovacevic
Intern
Julie Fugenschuh
Executive Director
Tony Wilson
Path to Purpose Facilitator
Chris Noth
YouthWorks Director
Lance Webber
Career Coach
Pablo Rodriguez
Intern
Mary Kelley
Director of Operations
Jamie Loggins-Evans
Director of Communications & Marketing
Zach Steele
Career Coach
Board of Directors
Larae Stinson
President
Amber Gustafson
Vice President
Tracy Berg
Treasurer
Rick Levi
Secretary
Brett Middendorf
Board Member
Courtney Dufford
Board Emeritus
Caryn Evans
Board Member
Shilpi Singhal
Board Member
Jeff Smith
Board Member
Rev. Gaddy
Board Member
Looking Forward
This past year we piloted the Rooted Model with our new partner Knock and Drop, a Latinx food pantry. We realized quickly that this population would benefit from our help with employment assistance and support. We are looking for bilingual volunteers , a LatinX food pantry and we were able to start assisting people looking for employment.
We hope to offer a recognized certificate and/or apprenticeship that can improve our recruitment and diversify our participants. We want to partner with Axis U to offer a paid Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship while also offering Cultivating Careers curriculum and Career Coaching to support them along the way.
The goal of this new model is to utilize multiple specialized organizations (nonprofits) to assist individuals with economic, emotional, and environmental stability. We are currently working with two nonprofit organizations to pilot the new Rooted Model, where nonprofit organizations become rooted by having consistent and trusted individuals placed in an organization where people gather and share similar needs and barriers. They will work together, consistently over a sustained period of time. Learn more about this exciting new endeavor.
YouthWorks is a concurrent enrollment course with DMACC’s Career Advantage program. This means that students can get academic credit for both high school and DMACC at the same time. We are also working on expanding the YouthWorks programs to other Des Moines Public Schools.
We have started to offer one-time programming for the community that connects purpose, career, and stability. We will be providing a range of experiences from monthly classes, events, and guest speakers. If you are interested in speaking at one of our experiences, please fill out this application.
We are now offering Poverty Simulations in partnership with the Center for Social Ministry. We will be coordinating and running the Community Action Poverty Simulation that helps break down stereotypes by allowing participants to step into real life situations of others.