CONTENT (Click below to advance to desired section.)
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11/21 & 11/22/2026 - Hot Cocoa Bar at Lucky Star Holiday Market 4/3/2027 - Tropical Sangria Escape - Our Annual Fundraising Gala 7/3/2027 - Bill Bergan 5k on the 4th - Moved to July 3rd for 2027
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Leading with Purpose - A Word from our CEO
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By Jennifer Ellis, Chief Executive Officer
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October has shaped up to be an exciting and busy month at Friendship Ark! One of our biggest milestones of the year is complete as we have officially moved into our new office and programming space. This new environment will better support our core members, staff, and programs for years to come. While the move brought its share of
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challenges, we are excited about the opportunities this new environment will create.
This season has also been filled with opportunities for learning and leadership. Anna Luppen, our Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager, has completed the Iowa Association of Community Providers Leadership Cohort, and I have had the pleasure of participating in the Ames Regional Economic Alliance Leadership Ames Class 39 (the best class ever - if you know, you know), with graduation coming up in November. Several Friendship Ark staff and core members also attended the Make Your Mark Self-Advocacy Conference hosted by the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council in September.
Experiences like these strengthen our organization in meaningful ways. They help us build new skills, develop connections with others who share our commitment to inclusion, and expand our ability to advocate for the people we serve. Most importantly, they remind us that lasting change begins when people come together around a common purpose.
As we head into election season, Friendship Ark remains committed to advocacy, not politics. Our role is to help policymakers, community leaders and the public understand the value of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and the important role they play in the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and our communities.
Recent discussions at the federal level have brought increased attention to how disability services are delivered and supported. These conversations highlight why it is so important for people with lived experience, family members, providers, and advocates to share their stories and perspectives. Community-based services help individuals live, work, and participate in the communities they choose while maintaining connections with family, friends, and neighbors.
At Friendship Ark, we see every day the talents, contributions, and potential of the people we support. We believe stronger communities are built when everyone has opportunities to belong, contribute, and thrive. Your voice matters in helping ensure that people with disabilities continue to have access to meaningful choices and community-based supports.
Thank you for standing with us in our mission and for helping create a community where everyone is valued, included, and empowered.
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We are thrilled to share some wonderful news! Our main office moved into our new programming hub this month, marking an exciting milestone for our organization and the community we serve.
This new space represents much more than a new location. It is an opportunity to create an environment that better supports our programs, strengthens connections, and meets the unique needs of our core members and staff. Through thoughtful renovations and careful planning, we have transformed it into a welcoming, functional, and inspiring hub where meaningful experiences, collaboration, and growth can flourish in a fully accessible environment.
Making this vision a reality would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of our supporters. Thanks to everyone who contributed to our
Ark-itects Capital Campaign, we were able to bring this exciting project to life. Every gift played a valuable role in helping us create a space designed with our community in mind. We are deeply grateful to the individuals, families, and supporters who believed in this vision and helped make it possible.
As we settle into our new home, we look forward to all the opportunities this space will bring. From supporting our daily programming to creating new opportunities for connection and engagement, our programming hub will serve as an important foundation for the work we do and the community we continue to build together.
We look forward to seeing you soon and welcoming you to our new programming hub at 4803 Lincoln Way, Ames IA 50014-3632!
While we have been able to move ahead with the rennovations and move into our new space, the project is not not yet fully funded and fundraising for Phase 2, the recreation hub, is just beginning. Learn more about the ongoing campaign below.
Click to learn more about the ARK-itects Capital Campaign.
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Friendship Ark Receives Prairie Meadows Legacy Grant
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Friendship Ark Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Ellis and Development Director Beth Lucht were honored to represent the organization at the 2026 Prairie Meadows Community Impact Luncheon. The event celebrated community grant recipients and recognized partnerships across the region.
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We extend our heartfelt thanks to Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel for believing in the Ark-itects Capital Campaign and awarding Friendship Ark a Legacy Grant of $180,000. This generous investment was instrumental in helping us complete the renovations on our programming hub.
Prairie Meadows' support is helping create a welcoming, accessible space for core members and staff while opening the door to expanded programming and additional partnerships. Together, we are building greater opportunities, independence, and community for years to come.
About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through charitable donations and taxes, Prairie Meadows has given more than $2.5 billion. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more. Visit prairiemeadows.com/community to learn more about the organization and the causes it supports.
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It was a memorable day as we celebrated the opening of our 10th home with a ribbon cutting and open house this spring. Many staff, core members, and board members stood behind us as we cut the ribbon and an equal number of people from the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, community, area business partners, and our gala committee gathered in front of us.
Shortly after the ribbon cutting, the home welcomed a wonderful group of new core members, and it has been exciting to watch them get to know one another and begin making their house a home. We are thankful for every donation that helped to make this home possible. Your support is making a difference as we were able to move more individuals from our waiting list into a Friendship Ark home.
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With the end of our fiscal year on June 30th, the term of two of our Board Members came to an end. Please join us in thanking Heather Botine and Steve Prater for their dedicated service and the positive impact they made for Friendship Ark and our core members. As members of our all-volunteer Board of Directors, Heather and Steve worked diligently to help make Friendship Ark the best it can be.
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We also extend a warm welcome to new Board Member Steven Lawrence. Having a diverse and engaged Board of Directors contributes greatly to the success of a non-profit organization, and we are thankful for all of our volunteer Board Members who step up
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to fulfill this role. We look forward to getting to know Steven and all of the ways his service will continue to improve Friendship Ark and the lives of our core members. Welcome to the Friendship Ark family.
Visit our website at www.friendshipark.org/board-of-directors to learn more about Steven.
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FA Collaborates with ISU Extension and Outreach for
My Wellbeing Workshop
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Earlier this year, several of our core members took part in the six session "My Wellbeing" workshop, a partnership between Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Friendship Ark. From building healthy habits and setting personal goals to exploring new ways to support their overall wellbeing, the core members embraced every opportunity to learn and grow.
Read more in ISU Extension and Outreach's Impact Report below to discover what they learned, the activities they enjoyed, and the positive impact the program had along the way!
Ten adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, along with dedicated staff members, participated in a six-session Iowa State University Extension and Outreach workshop series called "My Wellbeing" during April and May. This engaging program focused on building skills and confidence in three key areas: physical, financial, and social/emotional wellbeing.
Throughout the series, participants explored practical, hands-on strategies to support healthier lifestyles, stronger relationships, and smarter financial habits. Each session included interactive activities, group discussions, and individualized goal setting. Participants set personal goals each week and had the opportunity to share their progress and celebrate accomplishments at the following session, reinforcing accountability and confidence.
The program was designed to be inclusive and flexible, allowing each participant to engage in ways that felt comfortable and meaningful to them. The supportive learning environment encouraged connection, participation, and growth for everyone involved.
The series concluded with a celebratory event that highlighted participants' achievements. Attendees enjoyed creative skits performed by participants, showcasing what they had learned throughout the program. Each participant was recognized individually and received a certificate in recognition of their commitment and success.
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Growing Through the IACP Leadership Cohort
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By Anna Luppen, Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager
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Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to participate in the 2026 IACP (Iowa Association of Community Providers) Leadership Cohort, a program designed to help current and future leaders in human services strengthen their leadership skills and broaden their perspectives. The cohort
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brought together professionals from organizations across Iowa and provided valuable opportunities to learn from experienced leaders and one another.
Throughout the program, we explored a wide range of topics that are critical to leading successful organizations. Sessions focused on topics like emotional intelligence, managing and developing people, leading organizations through uncertainty, organizational growth, fundraising, financial management, and building relationships with community partners, to name a few. We also had candid conversations about executive leadership, including lessons on challenges leaders face as organizations grow and evolve.
One of the most impactful experiences was visiting the Iowa Capitol and learning about advocacy and the legislative process. We gained a better understanding of how laws and policies are developed and how providers, families, and individuals receiving services can work together to influence positive change. Combined with the relationships built with leaders from across the state, the experience reinforced the importance of collaboration, lifelong learning, and strong leadership. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate and look forward to applying what I have learned to support Friendship Ark's mission and the people we serve.
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Community Engagement Corner
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By Beth Lucht, Development Director
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As we transition from summer to fall, we can't help but feel thankful for all the amazing experiences and connections we've enjoyed over the past quarter! From yoga in the park, birthday parties, pool days, car shows, to trips to Adventureland and the Iowa Arboretum; we had so much fun. Let's not forget the great time we had volunteering planting flowers in our community and helping with local VBS programs as well. And, of course, there has been plenty of excitement watching our new programming space take shape!
Here's a look at all that's happened from July through September:
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Pictured: Our Most Patriotic winner, Maddie Ellis, and our Development Director Beth Lucht and her son Landon visiting the race course later on July 4th.
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Our annual Bill Bergan 5k on the Fourth was set for July 4, and we were anticipating record attendance. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans! Flooding at Ada Hayden Park forced us to move the race to a virtual format. We quickly pivoted and made the best of a disappointing situation, and we were incredibly grateful to everyone who still participated or registered afterward to show their support. Some even reached out with messages letting us know that, although they were sorry the in-person race couldn't happen, they still wanted to support Friendship Ark. That kind of encouragement means so much to us!
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Our July also brought opportunities to connect with longtime supporters at a coffee mingle with our friends at Northridge Village. Additionally, our staff and core members
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enjoyed a special treat when The Outside Scoop ice cream truck stopped by our homes to serve up some delicious ice cream. A big thank you to The Outside Scoop for helping make summer a little sweeter!
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Earlier this year, our friends at Shamrock Acres generously offered us some of their flower and vegetable plants. Our core members loved getting their hands dirty and helping bring new life to our outdoor spaces.
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And we can't forget one BIG musical highlight! Thanks to our staff member Kashia, who helped secure free tickets, several core members and staff got to enjoy the Post Malone and Jelly Roll concert at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. What a fun way to make memories together.
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August brought more opportunities to build relationships and learn from others in our community. We attended Business After Hours at Color Biotics and joined our friends at Bethany Life for a coffee mingle. We learned more about the many ways Bethany Life might be able to support Friendship Ark and our core members, including opportunities we hadn't previousy known about.
We also participated in our quarterly small group networking vitsit at TS Bank. These gatherings give us the chance to connect with other local leaders, share challenges we're working through, and brainstorm ideas together. We're so thankful to our friends at TS Bank for creating such a thoughtful way to bring people together!
Another summer highlight was the Sarah Ross lunch, giving staff and core memers a chance to gather and enjoy her amazing cooking. We're incredibly grateful that Sarah continues to take time out of her schedule to prepare these special meals for us.
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Speaking of people who make a difference, a huge thank you goes to our friends at We Heart Ames for helping with much needed landscaping at several of our homes. Their time and generosity helped make our spaces even more welcoming! We wrapped up the month with our annual trip to the Iowa State Fair. From trying fun fair foods to simply enjoying time together, we had a wonderful day making memories.
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September kicked off with a Farm Bureau coffee mingle, where we had the chance to check out the new Finski's restaurant in Huxley. Events like these are valuable opportunities to build relationships and strengthen connections throughout our region.
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One of the month's highlights was the start of our annual business partner visits alongside our core members. We're going to save the details for a special feature in next quarter's newsletter, but trust us, you won't want to miss it! We'll share why involving our core members in these visits is so important and how this simple experience can create meaningful opportunities for everyone involved.
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If you haven't already, be sure to check out our social media feature on Konnor Steineck! After attending our last Tropical Sangria Escape fundraising gala as a guest of Todd & Sargent, Inc., Konnor was so touched by the experience that he reached out with an amazing offer. He volunteered to build accessible picnic tables and raised planters for Friendship Ark and take on the fundraising needed to make it
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happen. What an incredible gift! These additions will create welcoming spaces for our core members and staff to enjoy for years to come. We can't thank Konnor enough for turning his inspiration into action. Special thanks to Todd & Sargent, Inc. for their contribution to Konnor's fundraising efforts!
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We were also busy creating opportunities for others to get involved with Friendship Ark. Our team attended the Iowa State University Volunteer Fair and People to People Career Fair, where we connected with students interested in volunteering, internships, service-based-learning projects, and employment opportunities. We've already heard from so many students following these events, and it's exciting to see their enthusiasm for making a difference in our community!
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Finally, our core members had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Make Your Mark Conference in Ames. This uplifting event focused on self-advocacy and gave participants the chance to learn, connect, and celebrate their voices. We're grateful to live in a community that helps make experiences like this possible.
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As we look back on these past three months, we're reminded that the best parts of our work often happen through the connections we make, the opportunities we create, and the people who choose to be part of our mission. Thank you to everyone who helped make this summer such a memorable one. We can't wait to see what the next quarter brings.
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Congratulations to Lacey Young for being selected as the Employee of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2026. Lacey's Employee of the Quarter award recognized her for her dedication, dependability, and genuine care for others. She consistently goes above and beyond by anticipating needs, supporting teammates, buiding meaningful
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relationships with core members, and bringing a calm, positive presence to each day. Her initiative, willingness to grow, and commitment to creating a supportive environment make her someone her team can always count on.
We are grateful for Lacey's commitment to the core members and to Friendship Ark. In recognition of her award, Lacey received a gift of $100. Nominations for Employee of the Quarter awards can be submitted by any staff of Friendship Ark and winners are selected by a diverse committee of staff peers. All Employee of the Quarter winners for a year are eligible to be selected as the Employee of the Year. Congratulations, Lacey!
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Ndoutoume Engineering Scholarship Awarded
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Lacey Young was also the recipient of the 2026 Ndoutoume Family Engineering Scholarship for Friendship Ark staff. Congratulations, Lacey! Thank you to the Ndoutoume family and America Best Appliances for making this opportunity possible. Applicants must be employees of Friendship Ark and enrolled in an accredited post
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secondary education program; they do not need to be engineering students. We are grateful for Lacey and the care and support she provides to our core members as a Direct Support Professional. We asked Lacey to share a little bit about herself and what receiving this scholarship means to her.
Lacey is currently pursuing her degree in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Services as a full-time online student at Oregon State University while also working full-time at Friendship Ark. Since beginning her program in the fall of 2024, she has earned a place on the honor roll every semester. After graduation, Lacey hopes to work in wildlife behavior and behavior ecology, focusing on how animals interact with their environments and how those interactions can help shape conservation efforts.
In sharing what this scholarship means to her, Lacey explained that the support will help ease the financial pressure of continuing her education while working and allow her to stay focused on her academic progress and future career. She shared that her work at Friendship Ark has also played an important role in her journey, teaching her patience, empathy, and the importance of being fully present with the people she supports.
We are proud to have Lacey as part of the Friendship Ark team and excited to see where her education and future career take her.
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Staff Anniversaries and New Team Members
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Milestone Anniversaries Please join us in congratulating the following team members who have celebrated milestone work anniversaries since June. We thank them for their dedication, hard work, and the many contributions they have made to our team! - Chelsea Apland, Andy Nichols, and Natalie Seibold - 20 Years
- Abbey Kingsbury and Judi Meinhart - 10 Years
- Lindsey Culp, Audrey Estlund, and Beth Lucht - 5 Years
- Abby Collins, Kenzie Dunson, Olivia Flewelling, Soma Germano, Jenna St. Sauver, Shawneen Wilson, and Lacey Young - 1 Year
We also welcomed the following new team members to the Friendship Ark family: Grace Waltemeyer, Tiahna Duncan, Sarah Kingsbury, Lily Beckman, Alyssa Skaggs, and Khaitrina Phompong. Back to Contents
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Celebrating Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week
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By Michelle Jackson-Worrick, Human Resources Specialist
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✌September 13-19 marked Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Recognition Week and we found some groovy ways to celebrate 70's style.
Our staff traveled to each site for a riddle challenge, competing for an Igloo cooler, and showed off their creativity in our photo challenge for a chance to win a lava lamp and some 70's inspired snacks.
Throughout the week staff enjoyed pizza, donuts, chocolate bars from Chocolaterie Stam Ames, root beer floats, DSP week shirts, and a few far out gifts, including mood rings and brand new pets - pet rocks, that is. The best kind of pet because you never have to walk them.
We took this opportunity to thank our amazing DSPs for everything they do each day to support our core members and make a difference. Their compassion, dedication, flexibility, and hard work never go unnoticed.
A huge thank you goes out to the Recognition and Retention Task Force for all of their hard work planning and bringing this week to life, and to everyone who helped make it happen. We also want to extend our appreciation to the team at Chocolaterie Stam Ames for partnering with us to create customized chocolate bars featuring a special thank-you message. Your efforts helped make this week even more meaningful!
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With excitement and joy Craig took to the skies and experienced the amazing feeling of flying in an airplane. This is a beautiful reminder that dreams are worth chasing and that everyone deserves the chance to experience something extraordinary.
In the past, Craig lived on a property that abutted the Ames Municipal Airport. While living in this location, he would spend hours and hours watching planes fly literally right over his head. Earlier this year, Craig went on a visit to the Des Moines Airport to watch "the big ones" take off and land, and being aware of Craig's passion for airplanes, FA Site Supervisor Andy arranged for Craig to take a "Discovery Flight" with Hap's Air Service. Craig was grinning from ear to ear the entire flight, commented that the cars looked like ants, and laughed when the pilot made a dive and briefly created zero gravity. For many days after the flight, Craig excitedly shared his experience with his peers and staff. Thank you, Andy, for leaning into a core member's passions and making this flight possible for Craig!
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Choose to Include -
A Powerful Graduation Message and a Motto for Life
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When FA Direct Support Professional Hannah graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development in 2024, she was inspired by her position with Friendship Ark and by the core members to decorate her cap with the words 'Choose to Include', and she made it a point to celebrate her accomplishment with the core members at her site.
As she reached her next milestone by graduating with a Master of Science in Human Development in May of this year, Hannah once again chose to honor the core members with the words 'Choose to Include' on her cap.
In sharing these pictures with us, Hannah stated: "Working at Friendship Ark has shaped me in ways I never could have imagined. Every day, the core members inspire me with their resilience, kindness, and joy, and I feel incredibly lucky to learn from them and be a small part of their lives. It only felt right to celebrate this milestone with the people who have made this journey so meaningful. My cap once again says, 'Choose to Include' - a reminder of one of the greatest lessons I've learned and a message I hope to carry with me wherever life takes me."
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We're grateful for every one of our 2026 Business Partners. While our newsletter recognizes our Friend-level partners ($1,000+) as part of their partnership benefits, you can view our complete list of Business Partners on our website. If you have the opportunity to do business with one of these partners, please thank them for supporting Friendship Ark and the people we serve.
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For your convenience, we have created a Wish List on Amazon. You may select the items you would like to donate and have them shipped directly to us by using this link. Back to Contents
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Board of Directors: Haley Cook, Stacy Duhn, Susan Hoshor, Luke Jensen,
Steven Lawrence, Sheila Lundt, Tom Mortice, Melissa Muschick, Pete Smith,
Dr. Selden Spencer, and Jenni Talbott
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