Ellipsis has been awarded two grants as part of the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino Community Betterment Grant program, which funds small-to-medium sized projects with grants up to $99,999. These grants support qualified organizations seeking to improve the lives of those in their communities.

Ellipsis is a true champion of improving the lives of central Iowa kids and families, as the organization provides care, encouragement and skill development needed to help individuals overcome barriers and trauma to lead successful lives.

Ellipsis applied for the grant as part of the “Creating a Continuum of Care for Children’s Mental Health in Iowa” project, which has a goal to cover urgent maintenance needs by the end of calendar year 2022 to ensure Ellipsis can continue to provide crucial community mental and behavioral health resources. These aren’t “someday” projects. These are immediate concerns that impact Ellipsis’ ability to provide services if they aren’t addressed. With help from Prairie Meadows, Ellipsis can continue to provide safe and welcoming residential environments that support the well-being of kids and families.

Project Title 1: Furnishing a Welcoming Environment to Support Youth Mental Health 

Award Amount: $10,000 

Funding from Prairie Meadows will support: 

  • The purchase of new, durable weighted furniture for our North Campus, a residential Foster Group Care facility consisting of six cottages, each housing eight youths. With the support from Prairie Meadows, Ellipsis will continue to provide safe and welcoming residential environments that are the foundation for improved functioning, well-being and safety of the kids we serve. 
Project Title 2: Creating a Continuum of Care for Children’s Mental Health in Iowa

Award Amount: $90,000

Funding from Prairie Meadows will support:

  1. Roof replacement at our Education Center on North Campus. For students who can’t attend public school due to safety concerns or behavior issues, daily instruction is provided in the W.T. and Edna M. Dahl Education Center to ensure continued academic progress. It is essential the building is available and functional. 
  2. Bathroom renovations at our Clustered Supervised Apartment Living (SAL) location. Significant wear and damages have rendered some bathrooms unusable due to safety and operational issues. Funding will renovate two bathrooms, restoring use.

Ellipsis wishes to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Prairie Meadows for their support of the organization and Polk County organizations as a whole.