Resource Directory

The Family Help Guide is designed to help you locate community resources and support services across central Iowa. The amount of information and resources available in our community can be overwhelming to access, we can help you navigate the search. This directory includes resources and information about the people and programs available in your area to support and empower you. 
Displaying locations 1 - 10 of 170

Able Up Iowa, formerly known as Iowa Able Foundation, is non-profit organization that helps people of all abilities become financially independent by providing solutions of financial needs and empowering them to achieve financial goals.

Since 1993, they have provided an accessible borrowing option to Iowans for purchasing products and services related to living independently. Able Up Iowa offers lower interest rates, credit building, emergency funding, and forgivable loans.

Information about the specific loans offered is available on the Iowa Able Up website.

  • Loans for the following:
    • Assistive devices
    • Home modifications
    • Vehicle modifications
    • Service and support animals
    • Home repair
    • Vehicle repair or purchase
    • Education equipment
    • Employment equipment
    • Credit builder loan
  • Financial Counseling
  • Resource Counseling
  • Credit Coaching
  • Benefits Planning

Eligibility:

Loans are available to Iowans with a disability, diagnosis, or long-term condition, Iowans who are ages 55+, and their families.

Intake Process:

Applications available on the website. Paper copies can be requested and mailed by calling 515-292-2972.

Along with the application, Iowa Able needs the following documentation to process loan requests:

  • ​​2 forms of identification
  • Income verification
  • Expense verification
  • Quote for the equipment or project

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: View Website


Above + Beyond Cancer is a public charity with a mission to elevate the lives of those touched by cancer, to create a healthier world. Above + Beyond Cancer is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All Optimal Living Programs and Classes are free to Cancer Survivors. Our programs are also open to Caregivers and the Community. Cancer Patients and Survivors may receive a 12-week YMCA scholarship or MercyOne Health and Fitness Scholarship after a Doctor referral.

  • Aquatics & cycling
  • Adventure fitness
  • Nutrition Classes
  • Mind & Spirit Wellness
  • Medication & music therapy
  • Art therapy & book club
  • Cancer education series & support groups
  • Sound healing & Reiki
  • And more

Intake Process:

For more information, call 515-669-9879. Medical referrals can be faxed to 515-635-1286.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: View Website


Achieving Maximum Potential (AMP) is Iowa’s Foster Care Youth Council that meets in Councils throughout the state. AMP seeks to unleash the full potential for personal growth among Iowa’s foster youth ages 13-22. Together, they provide opportunities to build life and leadership skills while advocating for positive change to Iowa’s child welfare system.

Summarized by the motto, “Nothing about us, without us,” AMP is a youth engagement program.  AMP involves young people as advocates for themselves and as a voice for system-level improvements in child welfare laws, policies and practices. When supported through productive partnerships with adults, youth can be authoritative advocates for making foster care more responsive and effective.

  • Camps, conferences, and activities
  • Legislative advocacy
  • Grants

Eligibility:

Iowa children and youth in foster placement or kinship placement. Eligibility varies by program and grant.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: View Website


The Good Samaritan Food Pantry provides food and personal care items. The pantry also supplies weekend food packages to students in local schools. During the holidays, a Thanksgiving meal is available as well. Clients can shop for food once every 30 days. Food allotments are based on family size and are approximately 5-7 days worth of food. Clients can pick up “anytime food” more than once a month if available from local food rescue.

GSFP partners with Adel Ministerial Alliance, local churches and businesses, civic organizations, Food Bank of Iowa and area residents to provide supplemental food for those with need. The Good Samaritan Food Pantry (GSFP) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization.

  • Food Pantry
  • Personal Care Items
  • Anytime Food (food rescue)
  • Backpack meals (school district)
  • Thanksgiving Feed-a-Family program

Eligibility:

Residents of the ADM School District, the Van Meter School District, Dexter, Linden and Redfield.

Intake Process:

Provide a photo ID for the head of household and other identification for every member of the family. Some pantries may request a current piece of mail which includes your name and primary address.

Located in the old Adel Middle School Lunchroom. Please enter through the blue door on the NE corner.

Hours:

Monday & Tuesday 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm

4th Monday of the Month 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Mailing Address:

PO Box 141
Adel, IA 50003

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: View Website

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Statewide


AffordableHousing.com, formerly GoSection8.com, is a free website to search for rentals, including those who accept Section 8. The site it nationwide, and searches are completed by zip code or city.

  • Housing search website

Eligibility:

Open to anyone.

Intake Process:

Search by zip code or city/state on AffordableHousing.com.

Website: View Website


Afghan Legal League (ALL) Iowa is a collaboration between the University of Iowa College of Law’s Legal Clinic and Center for Human Rights, Drake Refugee Clinic, and Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice to provide and facilitate immigration legal services to Afghans in Iowa. The ALL Iowa Project is funded by a grant from the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services.

  • Information about legal services & legal service providers for Afghan individuals
  • Information about social service programs for Afghan individuals

Eligibility:

Anyone can utilize the site to find resources for Afghan individuals and families.

Website: View Website


African Immigrants & Refugees Transition services (AIRTS) is a non profit organization founded by and for immigrants and refugees from Africa living in Iowa. Since 2016 they have provided immigrants and refugees the resources they need to successfully settle in their new home/community.

  • Parenting tools
  • Citizenship classes
    • Interpretation offered
  • Driving lessons
  • Resource and referral
    • Help with filling out applications
  • Interpretation and translation services

Eligibility:

Open to any African immigrant or refugee.

Intake Process:

Call for more information.

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: View Website


Aging Resources of Central Iowa is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3), Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Their goal is to assist older adults in leading independent, dignified, meaningful, and active lives in their communities. Aging Resources staff advocate, coordinate and provide services through federal, state and private funding to persons 60 years of age and older and their caregivers. Aging Resources is a LifeLong Links (Iowa’s Aging and Disability Resource Center) local coordination center providing information referral and assistance to adults with disabilities.

The Area Agencies on Aging respond to the needs of persons aged 60 and over by assessing current needs, services, and programs available to older Iowans. Likewise, AAAs provide information and assistance services to that population and advocate on its behalf.

  • Case Management Services
  • Elder Abuse Prevention and Awareness Program
  • Family Caregiver Support Program
  • Information & Assistance
  • Nutrition Program

Eligibility:

Aging Resources of Central Iowa serves residents of Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, Story, and Warren counties who are:

  • Adults 60 years old and older
  • Adults – 18+ years of age and older with a disability
  • Family Caregivers
  • Grandparents Caring For Grandchildren

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Website: View Website


The Ames Area Office maintains lists of local AA meeting groups to provide connection to services for those looking to address their alcohol use.

  • Answer enquiries about AA.
  • Maintain information about local hospitals and recovery facilities for alcoholics.
  • Local AA meeting lists.
  • Newsletter about local AA events.

Eligibility:

Open to anyone.

Intake Process:

Contact the 24-hour helpline at 515-232-8642, or visit the website to find upcoming meetings.

Hours:

Meetings offered at various times throughout the week, at multiple locations surrounding Ames. Helpline answered 24/7.

Website: View Website