Beyond Welfare
Beyond Welfare
Beyond Welfare
| About Us |
| Search This Site! |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Beyond Welfare: Empowering People & Engaging Community To End Poverty Lois Smidt, Director 130 South Sheldon, Suite 302 Ames, Iowa 50014 Phone: 515-292-5992 Fax 515-292-5919 www.beyondwelfare.org E-mail: beyondwelfare@midiowa.net OUR VIEW OF POVERTY We understand that poverty is more than a lack of money. It can also mean isolation and helplessness. People need money, friends, and meaning in their lives in order to face life’s adversities. Building healthy relationships across social, racial, and socioeconomic lines is the way to lift the burden of poverty. OUR MISSION Beyond Welfare creates a social network so that all members of our community have enough “money, friends, and meaning” to grow in their ability to care for themselves and others. OUR GOAL To create an inclusive community where adequate income, affordable housing, transportation, quality childcare, nutritious food, personal safety, and a sense of hope and dignity are experienced by all. WHAT WE OFFER THURSDAY NIGHT MEALS (5:30-6:15 pm) Every Thursday night family and friends gather over a nutritious and delicious meal. Bring your whole family to eat, relax, and enjoy the company of others. Every Thursday from 5:30- 8:00 pm Collegiate Presbyterian Church 159 North Sheldon, Ames COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TEAM (6:15-8:00 pm) After each Thursday night meal, we gather to meet others; share positive things in our lives; discuss our wants and needs; and learn skills to support our families, advocate for our needs, and change our lives and our community. WHEELS TO WORK This car donation program helps families overcome one of the biggest obstacles of poverty--a lack of reliable transportation. CIRCLES OF SUPPORT Friendships can be the key to life change. Beyond Welfare serves as the link for people willing to help (allies) and people looking for support (participants). Through our Circles of Support, dreams are defined and achievement is assisted. This is the power of community! Everyone is welcome at Beyond Welfare. Your gifts will be received and your needs honored in the spirit of friendship and compassion. The friends you make at Beyond Welfare will support your efforts to make dreams come true and move out of poverty. “Beyond Welfare is a community in which my children have learned about and experienced empathy, compassion, equality, determination and success!” -Participant "Beyond Welfare is where people of compassion and experience are willing to help, and everyone becomes richer. I have been a participant and now I am an ally. Beyond Welfare is working for me!" -Ally “At Beyond Welfare, I look forward to interacting with all and coming together for a greater purpose.” -Board Member “Beyond Welfare is a positive and uplifting community that changes families one life at a time.” -Community Organization Beyond Welfare is supported by United Way of Story County, Pathways to Collaboration, Department of Human Services, private foundations, faith communities, individual donors, and training through the Beyond Welfare Learning Center. |
