DES MOINES, Iowa — A new organization called Safe Families for Children wants to make sure students and their families have what they need to be successful as they return to school.
On Saturday, the Safe Families for Children Des Moines chapter hosted its inaugural event called Inspire Hope. The event was held at Tower Park and the organization brought community resources right to the people who need them most.
“It’s a wonderful time for this community to have family engagement,” Al Perez with Safe Families for Children Des Moines said. “They’re coming out of apartment complexes and the area all around here.”
At the event Safe Families for Children Des Moines passed out $100 Fareway gift cards.
“The Fareway gift card is going to help out a lot,” attendee Olivia Kohl said. “As a single mother, it can be hard to get groceries and things like that.”
About 60 different law enforcement agencies, food pantries, churches and addiction recovery centers all set up shop at the event.
One of them was Sober Soldierz, a faith-based organization that helps people recover from substance use disorder.
“I could not admit that I was addicted,” Justin Morrill with Sober Soldierz said. "But now that I have strength and hope through Jesus Christ I just want to give back what was given so freely to me.”
Resources like Sober Soldierz taught Tower Park neighborhood residents that they’re not alone and that it’s okay to ask for help.
“I still have members of my own family who struggle, so it is a really big part of who I am as a person and what I desire to help others with,” Kohl said.
The Safe Families for Children Des Moines chapter plans on hosting a similar event next spring near East High School.