Hawthorn Hill Helping Homeless Families in Iowa

The Russi Family Perseveres

We all know that it only takes one catastrophic life event to wreak havoc on any family. For the Russi family
(mom, dad and their four children), that event was a serious illness. The family was doing well in California until
dad became seriously ill and lost his job, income, and eventually their home.
Russi Family's Full Story

The Dixon Family Stays on Track

Dixon Family for slide

The Dixon family, De’Anthony, Jessica and kids, are proof that hard work, determination and wanting the
best for your family will pay off eventually, despite what life throws at you. The family’s journey with
Hawthorn Hill began when they arrived from Kansas City and entered New Directions Shelter with their
2 young boys in September of 2017.
The Dixon Family's Full Story

A Family Works Towards Financial Success

Portus Family for slide

When Amie and her newborn Anthony, Portia and their two young children arrived at New Directions
Shelter in August of 2018 after finding themselves homeless due to unsafe living conditions, including
an extremely unscrupulous landlord. In September 2018 they applied for and were accepted into
The Home Connection Program..
The Family's Full Story

Goal of Home Ownership

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. During the following November, a couple of months after
moving in, she had her baby and had to take several weeks off for maternity leave.
Audrey's Full Story

A Home for the Holidays

Pollack Summers November 2019 250

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.
They had most recently been living in a converted garage in the mountains of the state of Washington for one and a
half years that had no running water, however, it did have heat and electricity.
Shawn's Full Story

Emily's Rebirth

Emily and family for slide

Emily and her three children, Lilly Ann – 12, Abraham – 7, and Karson – 6, came to Hawthorn Hill’s The Home
Connection program from House of Mercy by way of Leon, Iowa. She knew that leaving the small Iowa town was
critical to the wellness of herself and her family. program and the family-healing began..
Emily's Full Story

Hawthorn Hill, Keeping Families Together

HomeHawthorn Hill2023-02-14T18:39:35+00:00

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.

Hawthorn Hill, Keeping Families Together

We all know that it only takes one catastrophic life event to wreak havoc on any family. For the Russi family (mom, dad and their four children), that event was a serious illness.

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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.

What our families say

“I feel I accomplish some of my goals every single day. One of my goals for the future is to be responsible and secure enough to have my own home by the time I have to leave here. I’ve been saving money and learning something new each and every day.” —The Home Connection family

With your help, we can offer more case management and assistance to homeless families in need. Get Involved Now

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New Directions Shelter
The New Directions Shelter provides shelter and services for approximately 105 to 130 homeless families with children every year.

The Home Connection
Families enter this supportive housing program homeless, but leave with the necessary education and job skills to be financially independent.

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A Strengthened Partnership

The Management Services Organization (MSO) binding Hawthorn Hill and Bidwell Riverside Center into a mutually beneficial long-term partnership is now in place. View Details