in Ottumwa , including running the daycare center and the Teen Health Center at the Ottumwa High School . They administer a foster grandparent program , connecting children in need with elderly members of the community . They also provide “ After Care ” services for individuals who have recently aged out of foster care , which provide structure and accountability as they begin to navigate their lives as adults .
Julie Meeker , chief financial officer at American Home Finding , says the work the organization does has grown beyond its original mission of serving children in southeast Iowa , and that American Home Finding now has a major impact on children and families statewide .
“ Our services at American Home Finding touch literally thousands of children and families every year ,” Meeker said . “ You know , we used to be more southeast-Iowa-focused . Now , with new state contracts , we ’ re serving kids from across the state in our residential facilities , and then in our public health programming . We ’ re serving a nine-county service area , so , you know , throughout the course of the year , we touch thousands of lives with the work we do , and it ’ s just so crucial to keep children and families healthy , safe and happy .”
Boxx echoes Meeker ’ s emphasis on the importance of the work done at American Home Finding , and says the
1027 S . Madison Ave , Ottumwa , IA 52501 641-684-0087
Servicing any size tire from lawn mowers to semis . organization has helped to transform peoples ’ lives .
“ I think the work we do is hugely important ,” Boxx said . “ The child welfare campus , many of the kids that we serve , we ’ re the last resort , you know ? They have no one else . And the kids that we serve have experienced , in some cases , horrific trauma , stories that you think you ’ re not even sure how these children have survived to the point that they come into our care . They need someone to love them , and they need someone to nurture them . They need those relationships that they ’ ve never had , and I feel like that ’ s a real humbling privilege that we get to be that in their lives ”
“ We ’ ve seen so many kids who have come into our care , and by the time that they leave , they ’ re transformed ,” she added .
While not every child is a success story , Boxx says she is proud to be a part of watching children go through the programs at American Home Finding and leave the organization with an entirely new lease on life .
American Home Finding is planning an event for this summer to celebrate 125 years since the organization ’ s establishment in the Ottumwa community . Though no details are available at this time , people can stay in touch with the organization by visiting their website at ahfa . org or going to their Facebook page .
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