Hope in Action

When Jordan arrived at Child Saving Institute’s emergency youth shelter on the Children’s Square campus, he was just eight years old. Jordan had been found sleeping in a car. His mother had passed away. His father, battling mental health challenges, was homeless and unable to care for him. There was…

When Anne Christensen received the call from Child Saving Institute about being selected as a Jason Award honoree, she was stunned into silence. "I really didn't know what to say," she recalled. "It was not something that ever crossed my mind." But for those who know her work, the recognition…

“Libraries are the last place where people can simply exist,” says Antonia Krupicka-Smith, Director of the Council Bluffs Public Library. For decades, Council Bluffs Public Library has offered more than books—it has provided a space where youth connected to Children’s Square, along with families across the community, can feel safe,…

Andre turned 18 in a place he never expected to be—a youth emergency shelter. He had only been at Child Saving Institute for two weeks, but when staff surprised him with Nothing Bundt Cakes to celebrate his birthday, he broke down in tears. It wasn’t just the cake. It was…

JJ clutched his backpack tightly. Maddie stood half-hidden behind him, her eyes wide with uncertainty. It was a quiet Saturday morning when they arrived at Kelly’s doorstep—two children carrying more than just belongings. They carried histories of trauma, instability and unmet needs. JJ, a quiet and curious teenager, longed for stability and…

When you’re parenting solo, every decision feels heavier. You’re managing work and home schedules and the constant hope that your child is doing okay. When worry creeps in about your child’s mood or behavior, it can be hard to know what’s normal and what needs attention. Therapist Samara West, MA,…

Between school schedules, work responsibilities and everyday pressures, it can be hard to know when your child needs more support than you can provide on your own. For many families, reaching out for professional help is an important step toward building resilience and healthier relationships. Cameron Koenig-Barker, a licensed clinical…

Raising emotionally healthy kids involves noticing their feelings, helping them understand them and showing they can count on you when life feels overwhelming. Empathy is one of the most important tools a parent can have in that process. It helps you connect, even in tense moments and lets your child…