Creating hopeful spaces

Consider this: At a time when there are fewer and fewer beds across the state to help kids and offer them a safe place to stay, Ellipsis anticipates serving more than 8,000 kids over the next 25 years.

During their stay at Ellipsis, kids are often healing, learning and beginning a new chapter. The environment they stay in sets the tone for how they believe others care about them and how they should care about themselves.

That’s why Ellipsis is embarking on an incredible effort, the Hopeful Spaces capital campaign, to renovate existing spaces and expand our facilities to serve our kids in deserving spaces designed for what they need. To do that, we need your help.

The need for help

Ellipsis is a safe place for kids and families to pause, heal, and learn new behaviors and skills before they determine the next chapters for their own story. Through our residential and community programs, we come alongside kids and families to help them realize success as they define it.

Five years ago, 27 facilities across the state were available for youth to stay in shelters, foster group care and supervised apartment living beds. Now, only 16 of those facilities still exist in our state, meaning kids and teens have to travel further for the care they need.

In the previous five years, Iowans have lost more than 230 foster group care beds (the highest level of foster care) across the state. With fewer youth being served in these settings, the acuity of their needs is much higher, significantly increasing the level of care required.

Ellipsis is the ONLY organization in the state that offers emergency shelter, foster group care and supervised apartment living — regardless of gender!

The power of hopeful, deserving spaces

Much of the residential spaces across the state are outdated and do not allow youth to live with dignity or privacy. Just as with any child or teen, living with a lack of dignity and privacy can create conflicts, make them feel stuck and make them ill-prepared for the responsibilities of maintaining their own space when they live independently.

 Our philosophy: If kids are in spaces that inspire hope, they are more likely to feel hopeful and see that the community cares about them, which in turn motivates them to care for themselves by working to reach their goals and becoming successful community members.

Ellipsis cannot address the needs of these vulnerable kids without improving our facilities. They need the community’s support as we continue the Hopeful Spaces capital campaign.

Hear from those who have contributed

We’re so thankful donor Maria Volante is supporting our mission. While there are many deserving initiatives and organizations, Maria chose to donate to the Hopeful Spaces campaign.

“The young people coming to Ellipsis have had a long and tough road. The world is nearly tossing them away. Ellipsis steps in to provide security and caring, which are the foundations of healing,” Maria said.

But before giving, she wanted to make sure her contribution would make a direct impact on kids and families.

Steve Schaaf, who donated with his wife Renee, said he wanted to contribute to the campaign because his family understands how much critical work needs to be done to support kids and families in central Iowa.

“The needs are greater than most of us realize, and the people who need help are from all walks of life and all socio-economic levels,” Steve noted. “We are hopeful our involvement and financial support will encourage others to be open to a conversation regarding providing support for Ellipsis.”