D.M. shelter gets $750,000 donation from Nationwide foundation
September 16, 2010 by Jason Pulliam
Organizers behind the new Central Iowa Shelter and Services location in Des Moines got a $750,000 boost from the Nationwide Insurance Foundation, officials announced today.
The money will be used to help build a new facility just south of the Central Iowa Shelter and Services location at 205 15th Street.
The new shelter is vital to long-range efforts to combat homelessness in the Des Moines area, supporters of the project say. There will be more room at the new shelter for expanded support services, such as substance abuse treatment, legal aid, health care, education programs and vocational training.
“It’s much more than just a shelter,” said Tony Timm, executive director of Central Iowa Shelter and Services. “We are focused on an opportunity center – a place where we can be effective in helping people change their lives, recover and get back to being self sufficient.”
Des Moines businessman Jim Cownie, City Councilman Chris Coleman and Kim Austen, president and COO for Allied Insurance, were on hand for today’s announcement. Allied is part of the Nationwide family of companies.
In May, members of the recently formed Homeless Coordinating Council voted unanimously to approve a plan to relocate a new emergency homeless shelter.
The new shelter will be built just south of its current location instead of in the 1300 block of Keosauqua Way. The decision to change the location for the new shelter was made after it became apparent lawsuits over the site on Keosauqua Way would delay the project for several years.
This is a developing story. Check DesMoinesRegister.com throughout the afternoon for further details.
