Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, mom, writer and advocate, has made a generous gift to Four Oaks Family and Children’s Services, an organization that assures children become successful adults. Four Oaks and its affiliates serve more than 27,000 individuals annually, at more than 20 locations across the state of Iowa.

The independent unrestricted gift will allow Four Oaks to, as Ms. Scott notes in her March 23 announcement, “[convert] the funds into meaningful services for others.” Ms. Scott explained, “Helping any of us can help us all…We are all human…Yet when we help one group, we often help them all.”

Founded in 1973, Four Oaks began as a group home for 10 young boys between the ages of 10 and 15 who had no other place to go. Since that time, Four Oaks has grown substantially to become one of Iowa’s largest nonprofits addressing child welfare, juvenile justice and mental and behavioral health. Four Oaks now serves Iowa children of all ages and their families through holistic prevention, intervention and treatment programs and services.

Mary Beth O’Neill, Four Oaks President and CEO, said, “With Ms. Scott’s support, we are creating communities across the state that are committed to ensuring that our best asset, our children, can succeed. Together, we can Expect Success. We thank Ms. Scott for trusting and encouraging us to continue this important work.”

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Danielle Rodriguez has been named the new director of the Affordable Housing Network, Inc. (AHNI).

Ms. Rodriguez, who began her new duties March 7, replaces Kim Eiler, AHNI’s director from 2011 to Feb. 18, 2022.

Ms. Rodriguez has nearly 20 years of experience in housing and supportive services for vulnerable children, adults and families in Eastern Iowa. From 2013 to 2020, she worked at Four Oaks – first as service coordinator for a federal demonstration project that addressed homelessness and housing stability for families with complex needs, then as a success manager for Four Oaks TotalChild Workforce, a program that supports young adults as they navigate education and employment.

From 2008 to 2013, Ms. Rodriguez served as housing compliance coordinator and family support worker at Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP). Most recently, from 2020 to 2022, she worked as HACAP’s community outreach coordinator for Linn and Johnson counties.

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After the fire at Geneva Tower in Cedar Rapids, dozens of people who lived there relied on shelters and friends and family. That includes a Red Cross Shelter at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Over 50 people stayed at the Coliseum, and the Red Cross said they’ve seen more people coming in during meal times as well. They said it was all about providing people with those immediate, basic needs.

”The resources just came in to this hub at Veritas and provided the care that these individuals needed,” said Debbie Craig Affordable Housing Network, Inc. Chief Advocacy Officer.

The Veritas church across the street from Geneva Towers became the first relief shelter after the fire.

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Volunteers met at Clean Laundry at 1420 First Ave. NE to wash laundry for displaced Geneva Tower residents.

The residents were evacuated after an abrupt fire started, and many stayed at a shelter set up by the Red Cross in the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Affordable Housing Network, which owns Geneva Tower, sent professional cleaners into the apartments that had water damage to collect clothing, bedding, stuffed animals and whatever else needed to be washed, according to Debbie Craig, Chief Advocacy Officer for Affordable Housing Network.

The laundry was taken to the laundromat and washed by 15 volunteers from Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust and Trinity Presbyterian Church.

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Four Oaks Education Liaison, Kara Grafft says: The past couple of years has been difficult for all of us, but especially for our students, teachers, administrators, and educators. A global pandemic disrupted routines and led to increased stress, isolation, and disconnection; all of this on top of the existing issues facing our schools.

As an education liaison, I support schools in developing trauma-informed spaces and creating optimal learning environments so students can achieve academic success. I’ve worked with educators across Iowa and have seen first-hand the stress and strain they are under but also their strength and commitment to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment where students’ social, emotional, behavioral health needs are met.

I believe a foundational part of creating this learning environment is the utilization of restorative practices rather than traditional punitive discipline to resolve conflict, repair harm, and heal relationships.

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