Client Story
Meet Ashley
Ashley trained her service dog, Luna, entirely on her own. She says that without Luna, there are many things she would not be able to do today. Luna helps Ashley navigate spaces that feel unsafe
Ashley trained her service dog, Luna, entirely on her own. She says that without Luna, there are many things she would not be able to do today. Luna helps Ashley navigate spaces that feel unsafe
Floyd Cross has lived many lives in one. His story begins across several states, moving from home to home after losing his mother before he was old enough to remember her. Her absence weighed heavily
Jerry served in the military for fifteen years in the infantry with a focus on nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare. Despite that intense background, he says most people would never guess, just by looking at
Sarah is a 34-year-old woman who lives with bipolar disorder. She is deeply artistic and finds peace and grounding through creating artwork. Art has become a safe, calming outlet for her, allowing her to express herself and
Micki Baker is a drummer, which most people wouldn’t guess just by looking at her. Music is an important part of who she is and reflects her creativity, rhythm, and determination. During her time at
Sandra Kay takes the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” very seriously. She wants people to understand that just because someone does not appear disabled, that does not mean they are not facing real
Without sitting down and truly talking with Nancy, and simply judging her by a quick glance, you might never realize that she is a deeply open and giving person. Nancy has an ability to see
Melanie says that most people would not know just by looking at her that she is one of the most caring, funny, and lighthearted people they might ever meet. Beneath the surface, she carries a
Joy says that most people would not know just by looking at her that she is funny, smart, caring, and deeply loyal to the people she loves. She enjoys karaoke and playing pool, two things
Emmanuel often says that most people would never know, simply by looking at him, that he is extremely intelligent. He believes deeply that intelligence does not have a single appearance and that there is no
Before his time at CISS, Kent led a full and active life. He spent time hunting and fishing, finding peace and purpose outdoors, and worked steadily in a city parking garage as well. Those experiences
Joscelyn was born on June 23, 1992, and her zodiac sign is Cancer. Throughout her life, she has often felt stuck in situations that she describes as being like an oil spill, moments when everything
We are excited to announce the launch of a new app, developed by individuals with lived experience of homelessness, alongside the dedicated staff who work with them every day. Bindl Companion is an app designed
The Veteran. Fifteen years without a roof. Even longer without feeling seen. David is 67. He lost his wife, then his job, then his apartment. What followed was fifteen years of survival—on sidewalks, in shelters,
This is a simple, flavorful, and easy Baked Okra recipe. Seasoned with paprika, salt, and a pinch of cayenne, this okra makes a great snack or side dish.
This is a variation of regular fresh salsa with the addition of a habanero pepper. This salsa is not for lightweights.
Pico De Gallo is a popular Mexican salsa that’s loaded with fresh tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice. Pico De Gallo is excellent over tacos, burritos, nachos, or served with chips.
In a bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use. Serve with fresh vegetables
Ingredients: 4 large green anaheim chilies, roasted and peeled, leave stems on cheddar cheese, cut into sticks (or Monterey Jack) 3 eggs, separated 1 tablespoon water 3 tablespoons our ⁄ teaspoon salt salsa (optional) Nutrition
The Other Side: Tinesha. Before entering the Shelter, Tinesha was employed as a certified nurse’s aide and was determined to carve out a successful future for herself. But when a cascade of obstacles hit her
to Central Iowa Shelter & Services Funding to support development of Housing Command Center and mobile app to reduce homelessness in Des Moines, Grinnell and Ottumwa, and direct individuals and families to resources in real
The Fight Isn’t Over It is through donations from supporters just like you that we can continue to improve lives and build a stronger community. Your donations will help us multiply these efforts and reach
The Other Side: Tammy lived with her boyfriend in Des Moines until he passed away, leaving her grieving and with nowhere to live. With an eviction on her record, it was difficult to find her
Brazille, born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, has over 12 years of experience in management and customer service. In August 2021, she moved to Fairfield, Iowa to pursue a degree at Maharishi International University,
While growing up on the east side of Des Moines, Eugina’s family owned a food truck business that was known for their “guinea grinders” sandwiches. She attended East High School for ninth grade but later
In her early twenties, Karen was kicked out of her family home and relied on waitressing or nursing to get by. Her disability made it challenging to keep jobs and she eventually lost her home.
For this week’s The Other Side, we’d like to introduce you to Troy. Troy first experienced homelessness while living in Washington, D.C. He saved up enough money to purchase a bus ticket to Des Moines,
In 1999, Isata made the difficult decision to leave war-torn Liberia, her family, and the only home she has ever known to seek a better life in the United States. After an exhausting and emotional
For this week’s The Other Side Story, we’d like to introduce you to Henry. Born and raised in Des Moines, Henry spent time in and out of prison for most of his life. He did
For this week’s The Other Side Story, we’d like to introduce you to Bruce. Five years ago, Bruce left Florida and moved to Iowa to be with his sister. When she passed away, Bruce not
