Neighborhood Centers expands with new Iowa City locations

The Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County (NCJC) is moving forward with the renovation of two buildings it recently purchased in the Towncrest neighborhood of Iowa City, as part of its expansion efforts. In May, the city awarded the nonprofit $2 million in ARPA funds for the purchase of two buildings at 1041 Arthur St. and 2709 Muscatine Ave. so it could better serve its growing clientele. NCJC provides school-based services and activities for children and families in low-income neighborhoods and schools across Johnson County. According to its website, the organization reaches more than 400 children/youth and 200 adults each day.

“We serve in our programs about 2,000 - 3,000 individuals annually,” said Chastity Dillard, development and communications director for NCJC. “But we could see several people who come to our center doors daily, who may or may not be enrolled in any programming.” Currently, the organization operates out of two community centers in the Pheasant Ridge neighborhood and the Broadway neighborhood, but with their services in high demand and an extensive waiting list for child care, they knew it was time to seek additional options. “I want to say that Neighborhood Centers has been looking to expand for over 20 years, but the effects of the pandemic definitely exacerbated that,” said Ms. Dillard. “We realized that we have been bursting at the seams in our two physical buildings.” When the federal government passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package designed to provide relief from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, NCJC applied for a grant when funds were distributed to Iowa City, which earmarked $3 - 6 million for “emergent needs,” including nonprofits in the area. “We definitely saw it as a great opportunity to expand, and we already knew that there was a huge need for the things that we serve,” said Ms. Dillard. NCJC closed on the buildings Aug. 1, but not before exploring different options. At one point, the organization considered adding on to its Broadway center and researched new construction as well, but ultimately landed on the Towncrest neighborhood. “Further looking into it, we saw a huge opportunity in the Towncrest neighborhood where we have families that have already lived there, that have been enrolled in our program, but also it resembles the neighborhoods that we're currently in and have been for 50 years,” said Ms. Dillard. The 13,570 square-foot, two-story building at 1041 Arthur St. will become the new Early Childhood Center, and 2709 Muscatine Ave. is dedicated as the new Youth and Family Resource Center. NCJC closed on a contract with Apex Construction Company Inc. on Sept. 1, and construction efforts are underway. According to Iowa City’s May 7 city council agenda, the new Early Childhood Center will provide five licensed classrooms, a library, a computer lab, a multi-purpose space with a kitchen and a large after-school classroom. The Family Resource Center will house office space, conference and training rooms for NCJC administration and family support workers. “As part of our application to the city, we wanted to expand 50% of our early childhood circles,” said Ms. Dillard, and the new classroom space means NCJC will have the ability to serve up to 60 additional children ages one through five. There’s currently an extensive waiting list for childcare, she said. “We do serve a huge population that receive child care assistance,” she said. “I would say at least 95% of our families need some sort of assistance to attend our programs… this will definitely open more doors for families in that realm.” Additionally, NCJC will continue its partnership with Table to Table in providing food rescue items for a food pantry. Collaborations with the Iowa City Public Library will provide curated book selections, and a playground will be constructed on site as well.

‘Raise the Roof’ capital campaign

To raise the remaining $1.5 million needed for the $3.5 million project, Neighborhood Centers launched a capital campaign in July called “Raise the Roof.” As part of the campaign and an introduction to the neighborhood, NCJC will be hosting a block party called "Rock the Block & Raise the Roof" on Sept. 21 in the Towncrest neighborhood. The event, taking place from 2 - 5 p.m. at 1041 Arthur St., will offer a preview of the new Early Childhood Center opening in August 2025.

“We’ve had good feedback,” said Ms. Dillard, speaking of the capital campaign. “We've had good response, good partnership requests (and) meetings with the potential donors or people that want to partner with Neighborhood Centers in our capital campaign.” Their first donor was GreenState Credit Union, which pledged $75,000. “They jumped in before we had even completed our search for the building. So having that support and that space in our organization has been wonderful,” she said. Neighborhood Centers is committed to working closely with the community, providing residents with the tools and resources needed to help them succeed, said Ms. Dillard, and the additional buildings will allow them to enhance their services. “Being in the new Towncrest neighborhood is going to allow us to be even more helpful and closer to the people we currently serve, and people that may not have access to our two (existing) centers,” she said. "If you talk to anyone who has gone through our program, they will say that the Neighborhood Centers is like a second home for them, and (for) many of them, it's been a fresh start or just (a) helping hand to step up and be amazing contributor to this community," she added.