What We Do
Our emergency shelter is open 24/7/365, serving men and women aged 18 and older who are experiencing homelessness. We have 150 emergency shelter beds, and each guest may stay for up to 90 days. Upon entry to the shelter, our clients work with case managers and advocates to take advantage of the robust programs and services that will help them secure permanent housing.
Our Approach
At the heart of Central Iowa Shelter & Services is the Empowerment Command Center—a strategic, research-based framework developed by CISS to guide individuals on their journey toward long-term self-sufficiency. Rooted in the belief that true change begins from within, the Empowerment Command Center focuses on cultivating personal agency, mindset shifts, and goal-setting, empowering individuals to become the architects of their own future.
This innovative framework does not replace traditional approaches to addressing homelessness—it enhances them. Built through collaboration with behavioral experts, service providers, and community leaders, the Empowerment Command Center introduces the Empowerment Formula, a practical process designed to help individuals shift their mindset, take ownership of their lives, and achieve lasting independence.
Embedded throughout CISS’s daily operations, the Empowerment Command Center shapes how services are delivered—from individualized case management and job training programs to life skills education and community partnerships. It ensures that every touchpoint with a guest or resident is an opportunity for empowerment, not just assistance.
CISS is more than a homeless shelter—it’s a launchpad for adults seeking stability, dignity, and a path forward. Guests and residents are provided with essential services such as daily meals, access to showers and laundry, group counseling, and referrals to community resources including Veterans programming, legal aid, and substance use treatment.
CISS offers essential services like an on-site health clinic, food pantry, and life skills training, while also running in-house job training programs in janitorial services, culinary arts, and sustainable agriculture. These initiatives provide job skills, generate valuable resources, and support both shelter operations and the broader community.
Through this integration of the Empowerment Command Center with essential services, CISS ensures that individuals are not only supported in the moment—but are genuinely prepared to thrive. Check out a more in depth information at The Framework – Empowerment Command Center.
Our Services
Currently, CISS is working to establish a coordinated entry system for eligible individuals through Iowa Housing Help (IHH). To fill out the form or learn more about IHH assistance, visit iowahousinghelp.com.
Our History
In 1992, five men tragically froze to death on the streets of Des Moines after being turned away from local shelters due to intoxication. With no other options, they sought shelter outside, but never woke up. In response, eight local churches came together to form Churches United, a traveling homeless shelter that rotated weekly between congregations, each one offering meals and a place to sleep for those in need.
Recognizing that this temporary model was not sustainable, the group began raising funds to establish a permanent shelter. In 1995, they opened an 8,000-square-foot facility with 96 beds, serving individuals through both emergency shelter and veteran housing. In 2006, Churches United officially became Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS), a name that better reflected its mission and evolving programs. Continued growth led to a major expansion in 2012, when CISS moved into a 42,000-square-foot facility. In 2021, an additional wing was added to meet rising demand for administrative space and supportive housing, including 24 more apartments.
Over the years, CISS has expanded beyond Des Moines to reach more communities across Iowa. In 2020, services were launched in the Rolling Hills region, a 15-county area east and southeast of Polk County, initially supported by COVID-19 relief funding. In 2024, the CISS Food Truck officially hit the road, providing meals and outreach in underserved areas. By spring of 2025, programming expanded into the The Bridge Home and Two Rivers regions, covering five counties north of Polk. That same season, our Empowerment Command Center (ECC) was launched and CISS expanded again with a new app called bindl-companion and ECC programming in Ames and Grinnell, further strengthening access to wraparound services across Central Iowa.
Today, CISS offers 231 beds and a full range of housing and supportive services. These include 150 emergency shelter beds, 19 transitional housing rooms for veterans, and 62 Section 8 Project-Based Voucher efficiency apartments. With each expansion and initiative, CISS remains rooted in its founding mission: to provide shelter, food, and hope to those who need it most.
