Crisis Intervention Training at Luther College
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Crisis Intervention Training at Luther College

Every January we are fortunate to partner with the Luther College social work course, “Crisis Intervention”, and provide our Victim Counselor Training. This collaboration came about as a way to offer the participants firsthand experience with crisis intervention, through volunteering with a victim service agency.  While not all participants may pursue this volunteer opportunity, it…

Iowa in the Spotlight
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Iowa in the Spotlight

As a native Iowan, I have a certain affinity for the distinction that Iowa holds in the election process.  By now your community has likely hosted a number of visiting candidates, and you have heard the calls to participate in the upcoming caucus.  Regardless of your political affiliation, Iowans are certainly back in the political…

The Giving Project Hits Record Numbers
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The Giving Project Hits Record Numbers

Over the holidays the Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center (DARC) staff work with clients to identify the wants and needs for them and their children to have a wonderful holiday season through The Giving Project. The gift requests ranged from a car seat to nerf guns and everything in between. Clients are grateful that…

New Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist
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New Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist

My name is Jen Stolka, Drug Free Communities Project Coordinator and I am excited to have recently completed the Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist credentialing through the Iowa Board of Certification. As I was working on the upgrade and fulfilling the advanced level requirements, it gave me a sense of pride in the work that I…

Community Support for Nicotine Free Parks & Trails
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Community Support for Nicotine Free Parks & Trails

Many communities have adopted nicotine free parks and trails over the past several years, including quite a list we have worked with from our corner of the state. The Prevention 5 Coalition in Howard County along with the Crestwood HEROES High School leadership group wanted to add Cresco to this list. Community support started to…

Family Education: Story Time
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Family Education: Story Time

My name is Madi Brauer (they/them) and I joined the Helping Services team this fall as a family educator serving in Allamakee, Howard, and Winneshiek counties. Part of my duties as a family educator includes recruiting families to join our program and to educate families on child development. One of my favorite ways to do…

January is National Mentoring Month
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January is National Mentoring Month

Being a mentor is as simple as being a friend. Mentoring involves making yourself available to support and advise someone when they need it, delivering that support in a way that makes sense to them, and always keeping that person’s best interests in mind. Mentors come in all shapes and sizes. Take a minute to…

Domestic Abuse Community Partnerships
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Domestic Abuse Community Partnerships

Over the past three months we are grateful to our community for partnering with the Domestic Abuse Resource Center (DARC) to help raise awareness and funds to support survivors of domestic violence. Among many other generous donors, we would like  to thank PIVO Brewery, Blepta Studios, Reefuel, Pulpit Rock Brewery, and Upper Iowa University SAAC…

Increased Activity for Domestic Abuse Advocates
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Increased Activity for Domestic Abuse Advocates

Each year, the Domestic Abuse Resource Center team prepares for the warmer months as both the staff and volunteers know that calls to the resource line (800-383-2988) will be increasing. What is surprising is that the number of clients the advocates have assisted and the number of calls have continued to increase over the past…

Introducing Allie Ney
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Introducing Allie Ney

Hello Everyone! I am Allie Ney, the new Tigerhawk Connections Learning Center (TCLC) Coordinator. I have worked at the TCLC Program since February of 2017. I am originally from West Union, but now reside in Hawkeye, Iowa. Currently, I am attending Upper Iowa University to receive degrees in Business Administration and Human Resources Management. I…