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10/4/2026 - Cider and Cookies at Lucky Star Market 12/2026 - 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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ARK-itects Capital Campaign - A Vision Taking Shape
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By Jennifer Ellis, Chief Executive Officer
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As we move into this next chapter at Friendship Ark, I’m reminded every day that progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people care deeply about our mission and are willing to put in the work - whether that’s through advocacy, collaboration, or direct support of the individuals we serve. I’m grateful to share that this spirit of commitment is fueling two major initiatives that will shape our future: the ARK‑itects Capital Campaign and the launch of our new host home program (see Launching our Host Home Program below).
The Ark‑itects Capital Campaign has always been about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about strengthening the foundation that allows our core members to live with dignity, purpose, and belonging. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the dedication of our team, we are making meaningful strides toward that vision. This spring, we reached our first goal of securing $1 Million in donations. This has allowed us to get started on the renovation phase of the main office building, while we continue to secure the remaining $2.6 Million needed to fully fund the office renovation and build the gym/recreational space.
Over the past several months, we’ve seen increased engagement from donors, community partners, and advocates who believe in what Friendship Ark stands for. Their support is helping us expand capacity, enhance programming, and ensure that our homes and services reflect the highest standards of quality and care. Each milestone brings us closer to a future where every person we serve has the environment and opportunities they deserve.
Click to learn more about the ARK-itects Capital Campaign.
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Launching Our Host Home Program
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By Jennifer Ellis, Chief Executive Officer
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Alongside this campaign, we were thrilled to begin our new Host Home Program - an initiative that aligns beautifully with our mission of creating community and fostering independence, with our first host home core member, Ben (pictured). Host homes offer a unique, relationship‑centered model of support, pairing individuals with providers who welcome them into their homes and lives. This approach not only expands the options available to those we serve, but also strengthens the fabric of our community by building meaningful, long‑term connections.
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Starting a program like this requires thoughtful planning, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of disability services. I’m proud of the groundwork our team has laid and excited for the opportunities this model will bring to current and future core members.
The progress we’re making, both through the ARK‑itects Capital Campaign and the Host Home Program, reflects the strength of our community. It reflects your belief in our mission and your willingness to walk alongside us as we build a more inclusive future.
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Every Gift Makes a Difference
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We are thankful for the many ways community organizations, businesses and individuals have chosen to support our mission and the lives of our core members so far this year.
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The funding will be used to purchase new equipment to expand our Representative Payee Program and assist more core members in opening IAble Savings Accounts. The new equipment will enable core members to practice budgeting, explore online banking, and learn how to use IAble accounts in a supported, hands-on environment. Thank you, United Way of Story County!
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A big thank-you to SFM - The Work Comp Experts for their continued support of projects that help keep our core members and staff safe! In May, Scott Van Patten and Jason Clausen stopped by the Friendship Ark office to present a generous $500 donation toward the purchase and installation of stairlifts in two of our homes.
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We are grateful for the partnership and support of Scott, Jason, and SFM Insurance. Contributions like these help us continue our mission of providing safe, accessible, and welcoming homes for the individuals we serve. Thank you for making a difference in our community!
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Additionally, we received several caring in-kind donations from community members that we were very excited about. We were given an amazing specially designed electric trike built for two which allows a member of the FA staff to ride alongside our core members, including those who may not be able to pedal or steer independently.
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Several core members and staff took advantage of an offer from Shamrock Acres Greenhouse to pick out vegetable plants, perennials or annuals, and we received a donation of a deep freezer to help our new Ohio home with the storage of groceries.
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Staying Engaged, Staying Informed
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By Jennifer Ellis, Chief Executive Officer
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As we grow, it remains essential for me, and for Friendship Ark as an organization, to stay connected to the broader conversations shaping our field. Our involvement with the Iowa Association of Community Providers (IACP), ANCOR, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing ensures that we have a voice at both the state and federal levels. Through workgroups like the HCBS Strategic Framework with the Department of Health and Human Services, we are able to advocate for policies and systems that support high‑quality, person‑centered services.
These connections matter. They allow us to anticipate changes, contribute to solutions, and ensure that the needs of our core members are represented. Whether through committee work, board service, or local collaborations, staying engaged helps us remain effective and forward‑thinking. For this reason, I have been participating on the IACP Board of Directors since July 2022 and was recently elected as the Board Chair.
I encourage each of you to stay involved, stay informed, and continue using your voice. Together, we are shaping a Friendship Ark that will serve our members well today and for generations to come.
Thank you for your partnership, your advocacy, and your unwavering support.
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Community Engagement Corner
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By Beth Lucht, Development Director
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The past several months have been filled with reasons to celebrate at Friendship Ark. From cherished holiday traditions and exciting community events to major milestones and unforgettable adventures, we've been busy creating meaningful opportunities for our core members while sharing our mission throughout the community. Here's a look back at all that's happened from December through June.
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December kicked off the season with our Hot Cocoa Bar fundraiser at Lucky Star Market, where our core members served delicious cocoa and helped raise more than $1,000 to support Friendship Ark.
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We also gathered for one of our favorite traditions - our annual Christmas Celebration. Staff, core members, board members, volunteers, families, and friends gathered at Christ Community Church for an evening featuring Praise Puppets, a delicious soup supper, and plenty of holiday cheer.
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Day Habilitation participants embraced the season by attending The Nutcracker ballet, enjoying
A Christmas Carol, visiting holiday farmer's markets, and creating handmade Christmas gifts for loved ones.
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In January, Jennifer (CEO), Anna (Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager, and Beth (Development Director) attended the Ames Regional Economic Alliance Legislative Breakfast to stay informed on issues impacting our community. Jennifer and Beth also shared Friendship Ark's mission with the Ames Women’s Group, while Jennifer presented to Northminster Presbyterian Church and an Ollie group at Iowa State. Throughout the winter, our staff continued building community connections through Business After Hours, Rotary, Coffee Mingles, and Leadership Ames Events.
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February brought both celebration and reflection. We gathered to honor the life of our dear friend Clark during a beautiful Celebration of Life at Lutheran Church of Hope.
We also hosted our first-ever Valentines Ice Cream Fundraiser with the Outside Scoop, raising nearly $2,000 to support Friendship Ark.
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To close out the month, our Intern, Grace, and our Development Director, Beth, attended Iowa State University's People to People Career Fair, introducing students to careers at Friendship Ark.
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Day Habilitation participants enjoyed Cyclone Cinema, Music Bingo, creating clocks from vinyl records, and plenty of laughs at a comedy battle.
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March brought more opportunities to share our mission. We attended the DMACC Career Fair for the first time and also had a chance to present to the Iowa State University entrepreneurship and nursing classes.
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Meanwhile, Day Habilitation participants enjoyed a local bell choir performance and explored the beautiful blooms at Reiman Gardens.
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April was highlighted by our largest fundraiser of the year - the Tropical Sangria Escape Gala. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests, we surpassed our goal of raising $100,000 through donations made during and after the event. A special thank you goes to our 43 Business Partners, whose continued support makes our mission possible. Follow this link to our Facebook page to view the entire photo album of the event.
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Day Habilitation participants enjoyed a visit to Center Grove Orchard, had a whiff of Smelly Roll at Reiman Gardens, and cheered on athletes at the Special Olympics State Swim Meet. Back to Contents
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FA Participates in Focus Group to Improve Accessibility at County Park
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By Lindsey Culp, Site Supervisor and Accessibility Committee Member
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In December 2025, Friendship Ark met with Molly Wuebker of Uncurbed to discuss opportunities to improve accessibility at Hickory Grove Park for the individuals we support. Staff and core members were invited to share their perspectives on what an inclusive and positive park experience would look like when visiting the park near Colo, IA.
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The group engaged in thoughtful discussion and problem-solving around various accessibility scenarios, including navigating steep terrain. Ideas included alternative path designs such as shorter, steeper switchback (zig-zag) routes versus longer, more gradual paths with fewer turns. The meeting generated meaningful, thought-provoking dialogue and valuable input to guide future accessibility considerations. Uncurbed is partnering with Story County Conservation to support improved access and more inclusive recreation at Hickory Grove Park near Colo, Iowa. Late last year, they were hosting a series of focus groups to gather input from people with disabilities, family members, service providers, SCL and respite staff, and personal care assistants (PCAs). Feedback will help shape future park design and programming to support year-round access for all visitors. Back to Contents
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Iowa State Students in the MBA Program Help Improve Usability and ADA Compliance of FA Website
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In the fall of last year, Friendship Ark' s project of improving usability and ADA compliance on our website was selected for a group of Iowa State students (Janae Johnson - Industrial Design, Kimberly Lopez - Animal Science, Myles Prodoehl and Jack Fitzgerald - Mechanical Engineering) in the MBA program to work on for their Professional Development & Student Consulting Seminar. The students conducted their own research and consulted with Friendship Ark's Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager, Anna Luppen, and CEO, Jennifer Ellis, as well as our webhosting partner, Cylosoft, on the project. Together, the students presented us with a number of suggestions for making our site more user friendly and accessible, and we have already begun to implement some of the changes they recommended. We are thankful for their observations and insights and appreciate their work. Back to Contents
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Congratulations to Breanna Vermeer for being selected as the Employee of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2025 as well as the Employee of the Year for 2025.
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Breanna's Employee of the Quarter award recognized her for being a leader who consistently invests in both core members and her teammates. She brings a positive attitude, flexibility, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Breanna always puts core members first and sets the tone for exceptional support. Breanna was recognized as Employee of the Year because she consistently goes above and beyond and sets the standard for what it means to be an exceptional employee. She is a trusted role model for staff and a reliable, supportive presence for core members. Breanna brings determination, compassion, and a strong commitment to enhancing the lives of those we support every day.
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We are also excited to announce Friendship Ark’s Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2026, Michelle Jackson-Worrick, our Human Resources Specialist.
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Michelle's Employee of the Quarter award recognized her for taking on an incredible workload this quarter - leading hiring, onboarding, staffing, and trainings - and having done so with consistency, positivity, and professionalism every step of the way. Her steady leadership and solution-focused approach have not only kept things running smoothly but have also strengthened teams across the organization. Michelle’s impact has been both wide-reaching and meaningful, making her a truly deserving Employee of the Quarter.
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We appreciate Breanna and Michelle's faithful commitment to the core members and to Friendship Ark. In recognition of the awards, Breanna received a gift of $100 for her Employee of the Quarter award and a gift of $250 for her Employee of the Year award and Michelle received a gift of $100 for her Employee of the Quarter award. 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. Back to Contents
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Staff Anniversaries and New Team Members
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Please join us in congratulating the following team members who have celebrated milestone work anniversaries since January. We thank them for their dedication, hard work, and the many contributions they have made to our team! - Anna Luppen and Alicia Nava – 10 Years
- Ron Foster and Tonya Potter - 5 Years
- Hunter Clemann and Katelyn Ellis - 1 Year
We also welcomed the following new team members to the Friendship Ark family: Monica Covington, Amie Smith, Alyia Peel, Gracelyn Deputy, Adison Gallagher ,Veronika Jones, Renee Cruz-Covington, Chalynn “Bob” Dawson, Kassie Metzger, Tyler Vasquez, Tyler Dawson, Jada Strennen, Josh Miller, Nellie Keys, Liz Siddens, Kaylee Sloper, Bayley Armstrong, and Julia Daub Back to Contents
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Staff Retreat Offers Options for Participation
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By Michelle Jackson-Worrick, Human Resources Specialist
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Our 2026 Staff Retreat was a blast! This year, we decided to try something new and let staff choose their own adventure for our annual retreat!
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Some staff headed to Smash Park for pickleball, bocce ball, and shuffleboard, others got creative at Board & Brush making custom doormats, and another group enjoyed an afternoon of bowling at Perfect Games. No matter where we went, the best part was getting the chance to spend time together, chat, laugh, and step away from our normal routines for a little while. We have an amazing team, and it was fun to simply enjoy each other’s company and make some memories together. A huge thank you to all of our staff for everything they do each day. We appreciate them!
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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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