Connections that Count

Cathann Kress understands communities have unique needs. That is why when she became a trustee with the Kellogg Foundation; she contacted the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines to help her in her work. “As I began my grantmaking, I was looking for a partner that could be flexible and help me support a broad range of interests. I was delighted to find that in the Community Foundation,” shares Cathann

When Cathann shared her interest in supporting at-risk children, the Community Foundation staff connected her with Blank Children’s Hospital’s Foster Care Clinic. “It is my privilege to support the Foster Care Clinic and its innovative approach to care. The clinic provides a safety net for these children in need and makes one important part of their life a bit easier.”

As Jennifer Boeding, Foster Care Clinic director, shares, “Foster families have to navigate a huge system when they welcome a child into their family, and it can be very time intensive.” In response hospital leaders and community partners came together to create a comprehensive approach to care for our young neighbors. “We are providing well child visits in a very special way for this population. Thanks to more frequent visits to the clinic, we are bringing pediatricians and mental healthcare professionals together to serve our children well.”

Says Jennifer, “Without the Community Foundation’s connection and Cathann’s support, we would not have been able to open a clinic that offers such comprehensive and specialized care. This clinic is a game changer for our communities’ foster families and the children we are privileged to care for.”