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We'd like to give a special shoutout to the anonymous donor who dropped off these goodies for the kids at New Directions Shelter last week!
The shelter is currently running very low on toilet paper, paper towels, and body towels. If you would like to help us out, you can drop off these donations at New Directions Shelter at any time, or you can purchase them from our Amazon list and have them shipped directly to us. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2V15NADS0TAL4?ref_=wl_share
By body towels do you mean like bath towels?
Kelsie (New Directions Shelter Program Manager), Sylvia (New Directions Shelter Senior Case Manager), and Sy’Anne (Upper Iowa University Intern) spent last week giving the living room of the shelter a makeover with a fresh coat of paint!
This fresh coat of paint also marks the re-opening of the living room, happening today, as a community space for the families to gather in. Families will be able to watch TV, play games, and read books like the did pre-covid. We're excited to be slowly getting back to normal around here!
Looks great!!
We are currently searching for volunteers to host children's activities at New Directions Shelter! You will choose and plan an activity for the 10-15 children staying at the shelter - we are specifically asking for volunteers to help coordinate a Juneteenth celebration and a separate activity for Father's Day.
Suggested activities include:
- Crafts the children could give to their parents as gifts
- Story times
- Outside games and activities
If this is something you, your family, or your organization might be interested in, please visit our website for more information: www.brc-hh.org/childrens-activities
In the month of May, New Directions Shelter served a total of 12 families consisting of 16 adults and 27 children. We’re heading into June with 6 families consisting of 7 adults and 15 children.
At New Directions Shelter we try to provide safe and fun activities for our guests during their stay with us. This helps keep the kids busy and gives the family a chance to spend quality time together. This summer we are looking for some outdoor activities we can provide for our guests (think of what your children or grandchildren like to play with during the summer!).
Some items we are requesting for our families:
Nerf balls
Bouncy balls
Squirt guns for all ages/sizes
Water balloons
Kid friendly sprinklers
Sidewalk chalk
Outdoor bubble kits (include wands)
Hula Hoops
Jump ropes
Frisbees
New or Gently-used baseball/softball gloves
We have also picked out a few activities and included them on our Amazon Wish List. You are welcome to order directly from Amazon and have it shipped right to our door:
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2V15NADS0TAL4?ref_=wl_share
A couple weeks ago volunteers from Des Moines University stopped by to play with some of the children staying with us at New Directions Shelter!
If you would also like to volunteer for activities with the children, you can learn more here: www.brc-hh.org/childrens-activities
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Des Moines and Omaha Field Offices put together this video for their Annual Iowa/Nebraska Peer-to-Peer Homeless Symposium. If you watch closely, you'll see some familiar faces from New Directions Shelter!
vimeo.com/542694563
Nebraska Iowa Peer to Peer Symposium Welcome Video
Iowa Peer to Peer Symposium Welcome VideoWe are currently in need of new or gently used household items for families with children exiting the shelter who have nothing to take with them.
Specifically, we are completely out of: sets of pots & pans, complete sets of dishes, kid-friendly plastic cups, sets of silverware, kitchen cooking utensils, Tupperware/storage containers, and water bottles. (Basically everything except for coffee mugs).
You can drop these items off at New Directions Shelter at any time, or you can shop our Amazon list and have these items delivered directly to the shelter:
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2V15NADS0TAL4?ref_=wl_share
