Our Impact
1,523
Clients served by our family and workforce programs
549
Slots filled by K-12 students participating in our afterschool and out-of-school programs
100%
Of Oak Academy students screened for developmental delays (2023)
Mission
We enrich diverse communities through exceptional housing and inclusive support services for adults, children and families, providing pathways to prosperity.
Key Services Provided
Oakridge Neighborhood provides affordable housing plus innovative and effective family-centered social services for some of our community’s most vulnerable. Programs include workforce readiness and placement, financial literacy, and English language and citizenship classes; nationally accredited Oak Academy preschool; 21st Century Community Learning Center youth programming; and Oak Studio Teen Tech Center.
Key Audiences Served
Oakridge Neighborhood serves residents and others from across the metro and is rich with cultural diversity. Sixty-two percent of our nearly 800 residents are refugees and immigrants from 22 countries speaking 21 languages. Over 50% are children under the age of 18. The neighborhood’s poverty level exceeds 95%.
Ways to give
Provide a financial gift now or give a planned gift.
Sponsor or attend our fundraising events.
Volunteer your time and talents.
Provide an employment opportunity.
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What are the most immediate needs to support your organization?
We gratefully welcome financial donations to sustain our robust human services programming, which helps eliminate poverty, build self-reliance and develop healthy families. We encourage investing in our mission through planned giving by including Oakridge Neighborhood in your will or trust, using your employer’s matching gift program, sponsoring an event through your business or organization or donating personally throughout the year. Contact Kristin Littlejohn, Vice President - Development, at klittlejohn@oakridgeneighborhood.org or call 515-244-7702.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President – Dr. Andrea McGuire, Dr. Andy
McGuire and Associates
Vice President – Skylar Mayberry-Mayes, Ph.D.,
The Jacobson Institute at Grand View
University
Secretary – Emily LeMay, Global Atlantic
Financial Group
Treasurer – Mark Wiltse, F&G
Assistant Treasurer – Erin Kuhl, Krause Group
Immediate Past-President – Martine Olson-
Daniel, Wells Fargo
Marcy Baker, Sammons Financial Group Cos.
Rona Berinobis, Athene
Carol Bodensteiner, Writer/Editor
Jamie Buelt, enQStrategies
Diana Dubuisson, Dotdash Meredith
Albert Farr, DMACC Urban Campus
Jessica Feeney, Atlantic Bottling Co.
Sharon Gaddy-Hanna, Bankers Trust (retired)
Tim Haight, Deere & Co./John Deere Financial
(retired)
Matt Haney, John Deere Financial Services
Michael Hutney, Consultant
Mary Johnson, Assured Partners
Nalo Johnson, Ph.D., Mid-Iowa Health
Foundation
Kent Kramer, The Foster Group
Joyce McDanel, UnityPoint Health Des Moines
Peter Ngo, Resident Representative
Kuuku Saah, Ntontan RE
Deidre Williams, EMC