Advisory for a Better Future Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, received funding for their ABF-Bus Shelter Project. This effort, led by Waterloo East High School students, funds the construction of bus shelters along Waterloo routes where many riders are mentally or physically disabled. The students involved MET Transit, the City of Waterloo, Department of Human Services, Goodwill, Exceptional Persons, Inc., and North Star Community Services in planning.

Family & Children’s Council of Black Hawk County received funding for their Healthy Babies program. This program partners pregnant African American women with mentors to ensure expectant mothers are supported and encouraged to receive maternal health services, WIC (Women, Infant & Children) services and medical care early and consistently throughout their pregnancy.

NAMI Black Hawk County received funding for several programs working with persons with mental disabilities and their families, including NAMI Family-to-Family and Breaking the Silence: Teaching the Next Generation about Mental Illness. These programs educate the community about mental disabilities and provide support group services as well as educational tools to families of those with disabilities.

North Star Community Services (NSCS), located in Waterloo, received funding for their Inclusive Theatre Project. This project provides adults with disabilities independence-building opportunities through the production and performance of a theatre production for the community.

Seeds of Hope, also in Waterloo, received funding for their Building Bridges to Safety program. Seeds of Hope serves victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, including those who do not speak English or who speak English as a second language. Building Bridges to Safety will allow the organization to offer support group services in languages other than English.

Young Parents Network of Cedar Rapids was awarded funding for their Early Childhood program. The program focuses on providing at-risk families with early childhood parent education and family support activities and opportunities.

Children & Families of Iowa, based in Des Moines, received funding for their Family Violence Center. The Family Violence Center provides shelter, support, and outreach services for victims of domestic violence. The grant funding will provide translation of services for those victims whose primary language is Spanish.

Citizens for Community Improvement of Des Moines, was awarded funding for their program called Let’s Get Real Homeownership. This three-session class provides information about purchasing a home, including creating goals, savings and budgeting, credit repair, as well as how to identify unethical predatory homeownership practices. The organization also recently added a hearing impaired Let’s Get Real Homeownership class.

Iowa Legal Aid, also in Des Moines, was awarded funding for their Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. This free clinic will provide information about tax rights and responsibilities in the United States to low-income Iowans who do not speak English or speak English as a second language.

Veridian Credit Union, founded in 1934 in Waterloo, Iowa, is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. The credit union offers a full range of consumer financial services and employs more than 450 Iowans throughout 22 branches. For more information, visit www.veridiancu.org or call (800) 235-3228.

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For Immediate Release
January 7, 2008

Photos Included:

Photo A: Joe Lichty, branch supervisor for Veridian Credit Union (right), presents a grant check to Lindsey Hayes, an East High School student (center), and Maggie Mnayer, advisory teacher (left). Advisory for a Better Future Fund received funding for the ABF-Bus Project.

Photo B: Brittney Diercks, branch supervisor for Veridian Credit Union (left), presents a grant check to Barbara Sanders, Julie Pitzen and Chantelle Sanders all of Family & Children’s Council.

Photo C: Katie Bjerke, communications specialist for Veridian Credit Union (left), presents a check to Leslie Cohn and Judy Myers of NAMI Black Hawk County.

Photo D: Paul Farmer, branch supervisor for Veridian Credit Union (right), presents an Inclusive Community Grant check to Mark Witmer, Executive Director for North Star Community Services and Kristen Drake Director of Development & Public Relations.

Photo E: Mike Mangin, lending supervisor for Veridian Credit Union (left), presents a grant check to Stacy Wilson-Luchtenburg and Alicia Smiley, both representing Seeds of Hope.

Photo F: Tina Hogan, Veridian’s Regional Manager (right), presents a check to Beula Dvorak at Young Parents Network for their Early Childhood Programs.

Photo G: Tony McKillip, branch supervisor for Veridian Credit Union (left), presents a grant check to Sharon Zanders'ackiss, Director and Donya Harvey, Financial and Community Relations Specialist for Citizens for Community Improvement of Des Moines.

Photo H: Tony McKillip, branch supervisor for Veridian, presents a check for the Inclusive Community Grant to Children & Families of Iowa. Pictured left to right are McKillip and Sandy Smith and Amy Knudsen of Children & Families of Iowa.

Photo I: Tony McKillip, branch supervisor for Veridian (left), presents a grant check to Dennis Groenenboom, Executive Director for Iowa Legal Aid.