We Empower Families

We Empower Families is a specific donor group made up of passionate individuals who are committed to supporting Anawim Housing’s mission to provide safe, affordable homes for families and individuals, and permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness. The roots of We Empower Families go back to 2007, when the group was first founded by two Anawim Housing board members, Cecelia Kent and Dotty Thurston. Their vision was to empower Anawim Housing to provide safe, affordable homes for women and families in need.

Members of We Empower Families group pledge $100 per year or more through one of our Giving Levels. 100% of your donation to We Empower Families goes toward supporting families and individuals who call Anawim Housing home.

WEF Giving Levels

  • Nurturer ($100 - $249)

  • Advocate ($250 - $499)

  • Founder ($500 - $999)

  • Leader ($1000 - $2499)

  • Patron ($2500+)

Become a Member

Become a member of We Empower Families by giving at one of our select Giving Levels. Your membership ensures our continued efforts and long-term sustainability to provide wrap-around services and life-changing programs and resources for those coming to Anawim from homelessness and in need of a safe, affordable place to live

Give online to We Empower Families and select We Empower Families on the campaign pull down menu. You can also mail a check to our office  – be sure to include We Empower Families in the memo line. Contact us directly for more information about becoming a member or with any questions:

Kourtney Kirkpatrick
Director of Advancement
kkirkpatrick@anawimhousing.org
(515) 244-6459

Attend a We Empower Families Event

Our annual We Empower Families ThanksGIVING events are hosted every year in the fall and are a great opportunity to learn more about Anawim Housing, find out how to become a member, renew your membership, and meet others with a shared interest and passion for helping those in need of housing and having a safe place to call home. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend!

Sponsorship Opportunities

We offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities to support our organization. We will soon be seeking sponsors for our We Empower Families ThanksGIVING event in 2024! Through sponsorship, you not only get to support a great cause, but are able to be exposed to influential community leaders and members. If you or your business are interested in sponsoring an event with Anawim Housing, please click below for more information on upcoming opportunities!

2022 We Empower Families Members

PATRON - $2500+

Patty and Jim Cownie
Claudette and P.J. McDonald
George and Deb Milligan
Kate Raun
Hon. Anita Shodeen
Dotty Thurston

LEADER - $1000-$2499

Sam and Mary Bernabe
Bruce and Mary Chris Bruene
Capital City Fruit
Dr. Richard Deming
Dentons Davis Brown
Fleet Feet Des Moines
Elizabeth and Jeff Goodman
Jeanne Low
Joseph and Rachel Lubben
Dr. Kate and Dr. Doug Massop
Richard Seibert
Shelly Weatherby

FOUNDER - $500 - $999

Russell and Kathleen Bitterman
Marilyn and Frank Carroll
Kevin and Jeanne Cunningham
Give LLC
Betsy and Joe Happe
Jane Hemminger
Peg Johnston
Kenneth and Nichole Keller
Ellen Nelson
Fr. Stephen Orr
Nan Stubbs

ADVOCATE - $250 - $499

Christian Comito
Julie McDougal
Diane Glass and Jeffrey Means
Joseph Myers
Laura and Kraig Pyer
Donna and Hal Rusk

NURTURER - $100 - $249

Grant Billimack
Tim and Jeanne Blutt
Jim Cain and Laura Amsler
Gregg and Nancy Carlson
Amy and Tom Donnelly
Sam Erwin
Crystal Harris
James and Sarah Hayes
June Johnson
Cindy Mumm
Amy Nylander
Patty Potratz
Neal Prati
Donna Richard-Langer and David Langer
Jeannine and Thomas Rolfes
Mary Rolfes
Bill and Ginny Satterstrom
Elizabeth Stamper
Anne and Tom Triplett
Ivan and Anne Webber

FRIENDS - $1+

Stephanie and Jim Asklof
Luke Austin
Maria Heidebrecht
Rebecca Hunt
Mary and Raymond Keables
Amanda Martin
Clarke and Pamyla Stewart
Christopher Wise