C.A.R.E.S.
A progressive movement designed to build community!

Community Allies Reaching-out Equals Support (C.A.R.E.S.) is an innovative program based on the Circles of Support model. CARES is a voluntary program sponsored by Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. (UDMO) and is currently available in Hamilton and Humboldt Counties.

C.A.R.E.S. consists of both participants and allies who volunteer their time, talents and gifts to build a community where everyone has enough money, meaning and friends. Participants are people who face barriers such as poverty, parenting skills or social isolation. Allies are those who believe everyone has something to offer regardless of social status, race, or income.

Participants and allies work together to build community by coming together twice each month to share in a provided meal and meeting. Allies, participants and their families eat together and share in all roles and responsibilities of the evening. Following the meal the youth attend their own group program. The adults also attend a program each evening. This is an opportunity to build friendships and trust, to share experiences, learn new skills and get involved in community efforts.

As trust and comfort levels build, the concept of Circles of Support becomes a major role in the C.A.R.E.S. program. A Circle of Support is made up of three allies and one participant or family. Both allies and participants will have had an opportunity to complete an initial interest survey. The program coordinator will use the survey to match the circles based on common interests. Sometimes allies and participants will ask each other to become part of a circle on their own.

In the C.A.R.E.S. program, circles meet outside of the Community Leadership Team nights. Members get together once per month for an hour or more to enjoy each other's company and to review the progress of the participants' goals. Circle members rely on each other for needed support and use the power of the group for needed guidance. Being on a circle is NOT a requirement for participation in C.A.R.E.S.

To date, the C.A.R.E.S. has aided participants in networking, finding low-income housing, finding jobs, finding better child care, job advancement, going back to school for GED and college degree, mental health wellness, sense of belonging, parenting skills, and becoming active members in the community. To learn more about UDMO’s C.A.R.E.S. program, contact Kim Mohr at (515) 890-1128 or kmohr@udmo.com.