In the early 1990's, five homeless people froze to death on the streets of Des Moines. Prompted by these tragedies, eight area churches joined together in 1992 with the vision of a nondenominational shelter for homeless adults - a shelter that removed barriers of cost and length of stay, and that did not discriminate on the basis of gender, race or religion. From this movement, Churches United, Inc. of the Greater Des Moines Area was born. In July 2006, the name was changed to Central Iowa Shelter and Services to better reflect the geographic reach and scope of programming provided through the agency.
Seven of the original congregations committed to provide accommodations one night each week, so the folks we served were being moved every day. They slept on cots and sleeping bags, grateful for the safety of these temporary shelters. By 1994, Central Iowa Shelter had acquired sufficient community support and resources to establish a permanent facility, and the current emergency shelter was built at 205 15th Street in Des Moines. Since 1992 approximately 25,000 homeless women and men have received emergency shelter and assistive services to help them move beyond homelessness.
In September 2012, CISS opened its new facility. The facility grew from being 8,000 square feet and 96 beds to 207 beds and 42,000 square feet. It is equipped to provide expanded emergency shelter (150 beds); expanded transitional housing for Veterans (19 rooms); and 38 Project Based Section 8 Voucher efficiency apartments. Along with expanded housing capacity, CISS also provides an on-site health clinic, food pantry, clothing closet and classroom.
Programming continues to evolve to meet emerging homeless and community needs.
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