Executive Director Update

June 23, 2010

With the start of our new fiscal year on July 1, it seems appropriate to share some reflections on the past 12 months.

On July 1, 2009 we were beginning to put the flood of June 2008 behind us. We put the finishing touches on repairs and restoration of the lower levels of the Madge Phillips Center and the main Waypoint building. The Daytime Resource Program reopened and now occupies the entire lower level of the Madge Phillips Center facility. We launched two new preschool classrooms, partnering with the Cedar Rapids Community School District and the State of Iowa voluntary preschool program.

Beginning in September 2009, we entered into a partnership with the City of Cedar Rapids to manage a $500,000 grant. The Homeless Prevention Rapid Rehousing (HPRP) grant, funded with federal stimulus dollars, provides financial assistance to individuals who are in danger of loosing their homes or are currently homeless. Our HPRP case workers consult with clients to determine their capability to sustain their housing. Often families have experienced an event such as unexpected medical bills or loss of a job that results in getting behind on rent and/or utilities. The short term assistance program helps families over the financial hump to avoid the risk of eviction.

For individuals who are homeless, the process is more difficult as there are many more difficult issues they face. Frequently, their credit is so poor that no one will rent to them or they are without adequate financial resources to sustain housing. The Madge Phillips Center and HPRP staff work together to try and resolve issues. Homeless prevention is a new trend in providing services to the homeless and near homeless and Waypoint is at the forefront in working with clients to help them avoid having to stay in a shelter.

In June 2010 Kirkwood Community College announced a new partnership with Waypoint. Beginning August 1, 2010 we will assume management of the Kirkwood Kids Child Development Center located on the main Kirkwood campus. We look forward to serving the students, faculty, staff and surrounding communities with the same high quality care that we provide to all of the 520 children we care for every day.

As Cedar Rapids continues to work toward full recovery from the flood of 2008 and as the state of Iowa and the entire nation struggles to recover from the recession, Waypoint, like many other businesses, is facing challenges. While child care enrollment remains strong, other sources of revenue such as government grants and contributions are shrinking. Community support is more crucial than ever to ensure that our programs continue to deliver essential services to our clients. Waypoint will continue in our commitment to provide quality services, while at the same time maintain our stewardship of the funds provided by our grant funders and donors.

 

Liz Hoskins
Waypoint Executive Director

 

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