Community Difference Makers

Explore two innovative housing solutions making a difference in Central Iowa: transforming extended stay hotels into supportive housing and creating affordable homeownership through a community land trust. Discover how creative thinking is helping expand access to safe, stable housing for more people. Featuring:  •Jaqueline Chico, Central Iowa Community Land Trust / Home, Inc. •Emily Osweiler, Gre...

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, we explore how food pantries can serve as a gateway to additional support for families and individuals facing challenges with housing, transportation, healthcare, employment, and more.  Featuring: • Kathy Underhill, DMARC (Des Moines Area Religious Council) • Zuli Garcia, Knock and Drop Iowa • Luke Lynch, United Way of Central Iowa • Emily Abbas, Ban...

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, we discuss how central Iowa’s health and human services organizations responded to United Way’s Thriving Community Survey and what it tells us about the demand they’re experiencing, their ability to meet it, and what they expect in the months ahead in the Des Moines metro.  Featuring:  • Janice Schroeder, Children & Families of Iowa • Alicia Verm...

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa recap the conversations we had throughout the season on food insecurity, housing, childcare, and safe and thriving youth.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about how public safety, public health, and community impact can work together to address youth violence with United Way of Central Iowa's Luke Lynch, Chief Michael McTaggart of Des Moines Police Department, and Juliann VanLiew of Polk County Health Department.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa discuss the power of mentorship, with guests Natasha Ratliff, Tone Roddy, and Saaliyah Singleton.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa discuss how youth violence and engagement show up in Des Moines, highlighting Safe & Thriving Youth, a collaborative effort focused on long-term solutions, with guests Cheryl Werner, Jordan Colbert, and Zamiratu Dainkeh.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa discuss how youth violence and engagement show up in Des Moines, highlighting Safe & Thriving Youth, a collaborative effort focused on long-term solutions, with guests Mary Sellers, Jaquie Easley McGhee, and Bridget Cravens-Neely.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of childcare in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Dave Stone, and Jillian Herink of Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of childcare in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Kate Bennett, Kay Strahorn of Conmigo Early Education Center, and Brittany Brown teacher and parent at Conmigo.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of childcare in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Erin Davison-Rippey, Kim Bonjour-Eiteman of Perry Child Development Center, and Boaz Nkingi of Iowa Congolese Organization and Center for Healing (ICOACH).

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of childcare in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Mary Sellers, Janice Lane Schroeder of Children & Families of Iowa, and Deidre DeJear of Oakridge Neighborhood.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of housing in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Dave Stone, Lance Henning, CEO of Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, and Julian Neely, director of advancement and community investment at Polk County Housing Trust Fund.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of housing in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Luke Lynch, Melissa Gradischnig, who serves as a community navigator, and Brandi Courtney, as she shares her lived experience.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of housing in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Erin Davison-Rippey, and Shelby Ridley, Director of Programs at Primary Health Care, Inc.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn about the state of housing in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's  Mary Sellers, Angie Arthur, Executive Director of Homeward, and Doug Romig, Executive Director of Housing Solutions Alliance.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn about the state of food insecurity in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Dave Stone, Lyn Wilson, Districtwide Homeless Liaison of Des Moines Public Schools, and Melissa Stimple, Executive Director of Waypoint Resources.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of food insecurity in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Luke Lynch, Priscilla Marquez, who serves as a community navigator, and Shelby Chavez-Chun, Executive Director of Clive Community Services.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of food insecurity in Central Iowa. United Way of Central Iowa's Erin Davidson-Rippey and Patty Sneddon-Kisting, CEO of the Urbandale Food Pantry, talk about the rising costs of living and its impact on food access.

On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn about the state of food insecurity in Central Iowa from Kathy Underhill, CEO of DMARC and Tami Nielsen, CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa.

Learn more about the important work the Iowa Bankers Association is doing to be the voice for financial services in Iowa from President and CEO Adam Gregg, and host Emily Abbas. 

Learn more about the important work that The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand is doing to is doing to improve, engage, and promote this area in the historical heart of Des Moines from Executive Director Lauren Kollauf, and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about the important work that the Chris Norton Foundation is doing to help people with neuromuscular injuries and disabilities overcome their obstacles and live better lives from Founder Chris Norton, Chris' mother, Deb Norton, who is Client Experience & Relationship Manager for the bank's affiliate, BTC Capital Management, and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about Broadlawns Medical Center and how you can support their mission from Proctor Lureman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Broadlawns Medical Center, and host Emily Abbas. 

Learn more about the Bankers Trust Employee Volunteer Award winners. Hear about what drives our top volunteers, what causes they are most passionate about and how they serve our community.