Every Family Deserves a Home!
Hawthorn Hill's mission is to establish and operate housing programs for homeless families with children that help them obtain permanent housing and to provide services to help families achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Shawn, Shannon and Leland (9 years old) entered New Directions Shelter on October 22, 2019, just 28 days after moving to Des Moines. Prior to moving to Des Moines, the family had not had safe, stable housing for over 10 years. Read Shawn's story.
Audrey and her children entered The Home Connection from an emergency shelter in September of 2018. Her family began experiencing homelessness after falling behind on rent and facing eviction. Read Audrey's story.
After moving her children from Texas, Juanita successfully completing a chemical dependency treatment program, joined the Home Connection program and enrolled in the social worker program at DMACC. Read Juanita's story.
Tayo and his 5 children have been in The Home Connection program since January 2014. This spring Tayo's oldest son Fiyin graduated from high school and started full time at Iowa State University Fall semester of 2016. Read Tayo's story.
Tracy, 53 years old, came to Hawthorn Hill's New Directions Shelter with her 21-year-old Jazlyn and Jazlyn's two young sons Jamir and Jaiden from Waterloo. Tracy and Jazlyn were accepted into the West Des Moines Rapid Rehousing program. Read Tracy's story.
When Amie and her newborn daughter arrived at New Directions Shelter in October 2014, her life changed forever. She now lives in an apartment, has a shift supervisor job, does volunteer work, and believes she is now a better mother. Read Amie's story.
Telisha became a part of United Way’s HOPE Initiative in 2015 while she was living at New Direction’s Shelter with daughter, TeAsia. Now, 2 years later, Telisha is on track to graduate with a degree in Surgical Tech and through Section 8, she has become part of a new program that will help move her towards the security of home ownership. Read Telisha's Story