Through an unprecedented alliance with Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is investing one million dollars to build homes and help develop a vital, thriving community in Des Moines' King Irving and Mondamin Presidential neighborhoods on the city's north side.
Thrivent Financial representatives made the million dollar announcement of this commitment for revitalization during a ceremony at the John R. Grubb branch of the YMCA at 1611 11th Street in the King Irving neighborhood. Several residents of the neighborhood accepted the check on behalf of the coalition of more than 20 organizations that will use the funds to holistically revitalize the neighborhoods.
"We are excited to partner with so many organizations in this great community," said Tom Hendricks, managing partner of the Greater Iowa Region of Thrivent Financial. "We are thrilled to be a part of an exciting future for the people of these neighborhoods, and honored to be a support for positive change"
New dollars will serve as 'seed' money
The $1 million in funding will be directed through Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods, a program of Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, the $125 million four-year alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. This funding will serve as seed money to leverage additional millions in development and investment in the two neighborhoods over the next three to five years and enable implementation of the King Irving/Mondamin Presidential Neighborhood Action Plan. This plan was developed earlier in the year by a coalition of residents and community organizations.
New dollars are in addition to earlier Thrivent Builds investments
In 2006, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity was awarded more than $207,000 from the Thrivent Builds alliance to build three homes in the King Irving/Mondamin Presidential neighborhoods. In 2007, this Habitat affiliate was awarded nearly $270,000 to build another four homes in the same area. In 2008, the affiliate is continuing their construction efforts in these neighborhoods with additional Thrivent Builds support of more than $208,000 for three more homes. These Thrivent Builds homes mirror other Habitat homes but have a greater focus on volunteers from local Thrivent volunteer chapters and Lutheran congregations.
The King Irving/Mondamin Presidential Neighborhood Coalition also received $75,000 in 2007 through Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods to support their comprehensive planning process and the application process for further funding.
"The plan was developed over the past year by a coalition of more than 20 organizations including Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the City of Des Moines," said Lance Henning, executive director of Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity. "By working together in these two neighborhoods, we are going to make a profound difference in the lives of many, many families."
"We enjoy partnering with others in ways that strengthen our community," added Jamel Crawford, Executive Director of the John R. Grubb YMCA. "Through Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods, we look forward to being able to do even more."
King Irving/Mondamin Presidential Neighborhood Action Plan
The strategies and programs included in the Neighborhood Action Plan were developed based on the priorities of the neighborhood residents and community partners. The plan employs holistic community development to achieve transformation and is structured around the top six priorities identified by stakeholders:
- Housing
- Employment/Asset Building
- Youth
- Neighborhood Pride and Perception
- Crime and Safety
- Reuse of Casady School Building/Neighborhood Resource Center
An overarching theme throughout the planning process was the expressed need for increased collaboration and communication in the neighborhood. The Action Plan was created through the hard work of almost 50 individuals, representing over 20 agencies, who attended close to 40 coalition and subcommittee meetings and contributed over 800 hours of time.
