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Reentry Programs in Iowa

Here are 7 non-profits organizations that assist ex-offenders finding employment in Iowa:

  • 1. Catholic Charities - Jail and Prison Ministry - Dubuque

    Individuals released from jail or prison often return to their communities with no employment, home, or support system and often struggle to overcome the social and psychological challenges of incarceration. Our program assesses a participant's individual strengths and provides case management to secure basic needs, navigate resources and develop a plan to increase their self-sufficiency. Catholic Charities helps anyone in need, regardless of faith or background. Clients do not need to be Catholic to receive our services.

    1229 Mt. Loretta Avenue, Dubuque, 52003

    563-588-0558

  • 2. Catholic Charities - Jail and Prison Ministry - Waterloo

    Individuals released from jail or prison often return to their communities with no employment, home, or support system and often struggle to overcome the social and psychological challenges of incarceration. Our program assesses a participant's individual strengths and provides case management to secure basic needs, navigate resources and develop a plan to increase their self-sufficiency. Catholic Charities helps anyone in need, regardless of faith or background. Clients do not need to be Catholic to receive our services.

    1425 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo, 50702

    319-272-2080

  • 3. Des Moines Area Community College - Southridge Center

    ??Your Stop for Success Credit Classes The Southridge Center offers credit classes to students pursuing liberal arts and sciences degrees, Earn College Credit in High School DMACC provides college credit and vocational training at Southridge to high school students in Warren County. English Language? Learners (ELL) Want to learn English? Noncredit ELL program available (formerly ESL). HiSET High school completion programs HiSET Option #1 (formerly GED), HSED Option #2 (formerly adult diploma)?, and Adult Basic Education (ABE). Youth Consortium Complete your high school education through Youth Consortium. DMACC collaborates with many central Iowa school districts. Workforce Training Academy Classes provided at no cost to qualified applicants. At Southridge, you can train in Certified Nursing Assistant, Health Care Patient Services, or Production MIG Welding

    1111 E. Army Post Road, Des Moines, 50315

    515-287-8700

  • 4. Des Moines Area Community College - Transportation Institute - Truck Driver Training

    In 1988 the DMACC Transportation Institute was founded in response to the needs of the transportation industry by providing quality education, training, and retraining. We conduct our training at our 14 acre facility in North Des Moines as well as on the road for those interested in obtaining their CDL. Our primary objectives are: Provide the transportation industry with quality entry level drivers Respond to specialized training needs of individual transportation companies Trained truck drivers are in extreme high demand and our graduates are finding themselves more valued than ever in this competitive job market. Recruiters from both local and over the road companies visit our facility weekly and many students obtain jobs even before they graduate.

    2081 NE 54th Ave., Des Moines, 50313

    515-965-7450

  • 5. Inside Out Reentry Community

    Our mission: to support people involved in the criminal legal system in changing from the inside out, and to educate the public, in order to promote healing, restore relationships and achieve success in the community. What we offer: A drop-in Resource Center to socialize, get assistance with education, job and housing applications, HiSET(GED) and other tutoring, and general problem solving. Mentoring pairs a returning citizen with a community member for support, companionship, and accountability. Partners meet every week or so for social time, skill building activities (e.g., writing a resume), and/or discussing how your reentry plan is going. Community Meetings: Most Community Meetings begin with a check-in, where members share their recent successes and challenges. The second part includes workshops on life skills, self-awareness and emotional literacy, communications skills, and problem-solving, etc. Small group activities, journaling, meditation, and other exercises are used along with presentations from speakers. Inside Out Reentry Community aims to reduce the social stigma returning citizens often feel. We are not a faith-based community but we do encourage spiritual exploration as one means of growth and change.

    500 North Clinton St, Iowa City, 52245

    319-338-7996

  • 6. Safer Foundation - Quad Cities

    The Safer Foundation helps formerly incarcerated individuals re-enter their communities. Safer has been working for more than 30 years to reduce recidivism by helping people with records obtain employment and social services.

    1702 N. Main St, Davenport, 52803

    563-322-7002

  • 7. United Way of Central Iowa - Central Iowa Works - Central Iowa Returning Citizens Achieve

    Central Iowa is an affordable region with a low cost of doing business. We are becoming known nationally for having all of the ingredients of a great community that is growing rapidly. Yet, attracting talent remains one of our top challenges, especially as Iowa's unemployment rate drops to record lows. Meanwhile, one-third of our population struggles to earn enough income to cover the rising costs of housing, child care, and health care. Most people living in poverty are working two or three jobs and are one flat tire or one emergency room visit away from crisis.

    1111 9th Street, Des Moines, 50314

    515-243-2130

Data is retrieved from CareerOneStop. Last update on February 2023