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 17 of those facilities still exist in our state, meaning kids and teens have to travel further for the care they need.

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By donating to our Hopeful Spaces campaign, you are helping offer kids safe and comfortable places to stay, inspiring them to reach their goals, and allowing us to set bold new standards for youth care services in Iowa.

Invest in their futures today

If you're interested in making a donation in a different way, such as a donor advised fund or stocks, please contact Chris Andersen at chris.andersen@ellipsisiowa.org.

In the previous five years, Iowans have lost more than 230 foster group care beds (the highest level of 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!

Ellipsis cannot address the needs of these vulnerable kids without increasing the capacity of our facilities. Below you will find exactly what our plans are.

Hopeful Spaces Donors

Hear from our honorary campaign chairs, Don and Margo Blumenthal, and help us recognize those who have generously donated to Hopeful Spaces.

Hopeful Spaces Donors

Our phased approach.

Phase 1:

South Campus realignment and renovation, $2,384,325
Status: Fully funded and all residential areas in-service, completed February of 2024. 

Phase 2:

Park Campus realignment and renovation, $225,000 
Status: Fully funded and in-service, completed April of 2024.  

Phase 3:

Girls Campus development, purchase, and renovation, $4,730,000 
Status: Fully funded and in progress. Building purchased, design complete, demolition complete, general contractor selected. Scheduled to be in-service August 2025. 

Phase 4:

Boys continuum program development. New construction/renovation; $5,020,930 
Status: 20% funded. Design underway, construction to begin late 2025, in-service late 2026. 

Phase 5:

North Campus realignment and renovation, $2,440,000 
Status: Planning phase. 

Phase 1: South Campus

South campus: Programs

  • Emergency Shelter
  • Supervised Apartment Living

South campus: BUDGEt

  • Total cost: $2,384,325
  • Cluster SAL apartment construction: $2,259,325
  • Cluster SAL apartment furnishings: $125,000
Phase 2: Park Campus

Park campus: Programs

  • Foster Group Care
  • Additional future residential services to be determined.

Park campus: Budget

  • Total cost: $225,000
  • Kitchen remodel: $12,000
  • Paint, carpet and doors throughout: $98,000
  • Equipment: $14,000
  • Driveway repair: $30,000
  • Furniture: $41,000
  • Beds: $30,000
Phase 3: Noble Campus

NOBLE campus: Programs

  • Foster Group Care
  • Supervised Apartment Living

NOBLE campus: Budget

  • Total cost: $4,730,000
  • Building purchase: $1,250,000
  • Demolition: $20,000
  • Building renovations: $2,960,000
  • Equipment, furnishings, etc.: $450,000
  • Site enhancements — sidewalk; trees: $50,000
Phases 4 and 5: North Campus

NORTH campus: Programs

  • Foster Group Care
  • Supervised Apartment Living

North campus: BUDGEt

  • Total cost: $2,440,000
  • Grubb: Convert to 16 beds; insert additional unit; reposition entry and access sequencing; roof: $800,000
  • Sargent: Split into 2 units with 4 beds each for 8 beds total; move lounge to ground floor; add bathrooms/room; roof: $1,015,000
  • Ross: Add 4 bathrooms so each room has its own; reconfigure as needed; HVAC: $625,000

Additional campaign initiatives:

  • Ongoing youth program development: $5,020,093

For more information, contact:

Chris Andersen
Ellipsis Chief Philanthropy Officer
C: 515.291.0032
Email: chris.andersen@ellipsisiowa.org