Central Iowa Shelter and Services (formerly Churches United Shelter) is a homeless shelter located at 1420 Mulberry Street, Des Moines, Iowa. The facility's stated mission is to provide food, sleeping arrangements and services to homeless adults regardless of their physical or emotional conditions.
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History
The facility was formed in 1992 by eight community churches in response to a number of homeless deaths caused by hypothermia and by crush injuries sustained when occupied dumpsters were emptied into disposal trucks. Prior to the facility's formation many homeless were turned away from existing shelters due to intoxication or mental disorders which contributed to the outbreak of fatalities.
In September 2012, Central Iowa Shelter & Services opened their new facility, constructed after a successful capital campaign. The new facility provides emergency shelter for 100 male and 50 female clients, 38 individual Section Eight apartments and 19 Grant-Per-Diem individual apartments for Veterans. The new facility also contains a food pantry, clothing closet and computer lab for the use of clients in securing employment. Also, a new program, the Community Resource Referral Center (CRRC) provides opportunities for veterans to connect with service providers such as the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Founding churches
The following eight churches helped form the Central Iowa Shelter:
Finances
In 2013, the Iowa Finance Authority awarded the Central Iowa Shelter an $80,000 grant to assist in operating costs.