Community Services topics

Big Brothers, Big Sisters by Amy Richie – Big Brothers, Big Sisters is the number one mentoring program in the nation! BBBS makes a “BIG” difference one child at a time. Learn more about this important program, including how you can become involved.

Building for the Future: How the Community Foundation Can Help Build Stronger Communities by Betsy Macke & Carrie Barr – The Community Foundation of Marshall County was designed to help communities grow through annual grants and endowment building. This program will help non-profit organizations in planning for the future.

Child Abuse & Neglect by Jana Enfield – Child abuse and neglect is a societal problem that affects the entire community. When citizens understand child abuse, its causes and how it can be prevented, they are better equipped to help protect children within their community.

Community Partnerships for Protecting Children by Jana Enfield and the CPPC Leadership Team – Protecting children from abuse is everyone's business. The Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CPPC) project in Marshall and Hardin Counties is a new approach to child protection that involves the community. Learn what is being done and how you can become involved.

Emergency Food Box by Jackie Patterson & Jean Haslett – Emergency Food Box is an all-volunteer Marshalltown organization that provides temporary help to people in need of basic food supplies. Established more than 20 years ago, Emergency Food Box accepts food and financial donations from individuals, organizations, and local churches in Marshall County. Persons are served by referral from pastors, the Department of Human Services, Mid-Iowa Community Action, or other human service agencies.

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About the Iowa Veterans Home by Irina Bassis – The Iowa Veterans Home offers various topics of interest ranging from long-term care admission information to various medical topics by health care professionals. A team of Iowa Veterans Home speakers is available – just call Irina and she’ll arrange it.

Have Projector, Will Travel (Anywhere in the World…) by Mary Dooley – Mary teams up a digital projector, a laptop computer, and her own broad-based observations and experiences as an American Red Cross volunteer and employee to entertain and inform “anyone who’ll listen!” Her topics include American Red Cross disaster response, Women in the Red Cross, and “everything in between” (which means she’ll tailor her presentation to your group’s request).

Home Care Plus by Tina Coleman – Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center Home Care Plus is available to Marshall, Tama, Grundy and Hardin County residents. Tina will discuss these important services, available on a part-time intermittent basis.

Home Health Services by Delaine Aves – Community Nursing Service is a non-profit Home Health Agency that serves all of Marshall County. Cindy will discuss services provided by the agency and its long history in the community.

Homemaker Program Helps Keep Elderly in Private Homes Longer by Delaine Aves – This critical service of the Community Nursing Program is designed to help people remain in their own homes and prevent/delay institutionalization. Workers assist people with environmental/housekeeping needs. Delaine will discuss how this program makes a difference for community residents.

Iowa River Hospice by Angie Lynch-Wilson – Learn what hospice does, how care is provided, who is eligible for services, and how to make a referral. Other Iowa River Hospice staff and volunteers are available to present related topics, including bereavement, spirituality, and nursing.

Marshall County Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Task Force by Steph Whitmore — There is a task force of professionals who have united to rescue, defend, shelter and support children who are living in environments of drug abuse, sales and manufacturing. Drug endangered children are often victims of various types of abuse, and they struggle to survive in these toxic home environments. Steph Whitmore will offer tailored presentations that highlight the problems and focus on solutions. Topics may include Methamphetamine 101, Meth Psychosis, Meth and the Family, Understanding Addiction, the Drug Endangered Child Concept, the Marshall County DEC Task Force, and more. Presentations can be adapted to audience interests, including presentations for youth groups.

Marshall County RSVP by Nancy Earney – Seniors (over 55) CAN make Marshalltown a better place to live, through volunteering. RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) offers more than 50 volunteer opportunities in 20 non-profit/city government sites in Marshalltown.

Mid-Iowa Workshops, Inc. by Emily Babinat & Darla Burns – Emily and Darla will provide a history and description of the vocational services offered by Mid-Iowa Workshops, Inc. to individuals with disabilities.

PALS: Helping Homeless Animals in Poweshiek County by Cheryl Blom – A volunteer from the Poweshiek Animal League Shelter (PALS) is looking forward to speaking with you about the group’s efforts toward attaining the first-ever animal shelter in Poweshiek County. The presentation can be geared in any direction, with information about the needs in Poweshiek County, statistics, activity updates, and upcoming special events. Information about fundraising, volunteerism and/or fostering can also be shared.

Policing & Criminal Justice by Bernal F. Koehrsen – Retired Waterloo Chief of Police and Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, now an associate professor of criminal justice, Bernie is prepared to speak on policing and criminal justice. Current issues and events including child abduction, terrorism, and homeland security are just a few of the topics Bernie will be glad to discuss.

Public Library Issues by Carole Winkleblack, Sandy Gowdy & Joa LaVille – These Marshalltown public librarians are willing to tackle a wide range of topics, including selecting good books for children, freedom of speech issues in the library, and planning for the Marshalltown library’s future. In addition, they’ll do “Book Talks” with specific groups according to their special interests.

SAFE Place by David Hicks – The SAFE Place project develops partnerships with area businesses and trains the staff at participating sites to know how to respond to any youth in crisis. Participants will learn about the SAFE Place campaign, why it's needed, and how businesses and community members can be involved.

The Child Welfar System by Ken Baker – An overview of how children and families become involved with the Department of Human Services and the Juvenile Court system and what interventions and outcomes this involvement may lead to.  Participants will gain a better understanding of how children can be served through the child welfare system  and how to connect children and families to those services. They'll also be able to identify when child welfare services are not an option and how to access other services for children and families.

YOUR Community Y by Carol Hibbs – The Marshalltown Y is continually expanding! New facilities are providing space for more amenities and more programs than ever before. Get a first-hand look at all the “new” services and activities, from Carol, the director.