Supporting People. Changing Lives.

Author Archives: Amy Zuck

COC Celebrates 28 Years of Service as Maintenance Coordinator McMillian Retires

Thursday, 14 December 2023 15:49
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After 28 years of service, the Christian Opportunity Center (COC) bids farewell to its Maintenance Coordinator, Charlie McMillian, as he embarks on a well-deserved retirement. Charlie has been integral to COC, contributing significantly to the organization’s mission and ministry.

Charlie’s journey with COC began in 1989 when he started working part-time for Mahaska Vocational Service, a subsidiary of COC. Although he initially resigned in January 1994, fate had other plans, and he returned to the organization in March 1995, taking on various roles, including driving a bus route from Knoxville to Pella. Over the years, his involvement in maintenance grew, eventually leading him to a full-time position in 2009. When his supervisor retired, Charlie assumed the role of Maintenance Coordinator.   Reflecting on his unexpected career at COC, Charlie stated, “No, I never planned on having a career at COC. It just worked out that way, and I do not regret it.”

Charlie expressed that what he will miss most about working at COC is interacting with the people supported by COC. He also highlighted his positive relationships with contractors and vendors, who generously supported COC’s mission. Despite the challenges of the job, Charlie shared that these relationships and the people he worked with made it feel less like work on most days.

As he looks forward to retirement, Charlie shared that he learned long ago not to make plans, preferring to remain flexible. Charlie plans to stay active in ministry, aiming to be an example that leads others toward the Lord. He looks forward to motorcycle trips and other adventures, embracing a slower pace of life.

Reflecting on his experience at COC, Charlie takes away the thoughtful realization that he served a purpose. His work mattered and played a crucial role in fulfilling COC’s overall mission and ministry. He leaves with a deep respect for the direct support staff and understands that a fulfilling career goes beyond a big paycheck and retirement plan.

Christian Opportunity Center thanks Charlie for his years of dedicated service and wishes him a joyful and fulfilling retirement. His tenure at COC will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the Christian Opportunity Center for years to come.

Christian Opportunity Center Appoints Derek Kruempel as Associate Director

Wednesday, 04 October 2023 09:21
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Christian Opportunity Center (COC) proudly announces the hiring of Derek Kruempel as the Associate Director. Kruempel, originally from Ames, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his new role, reinforcing COC’s commitment to delivering excellent support and services to individuals with disabilities in Pella, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, Des Moines, and Indianola communities.

Kruempel most recently served as the Executive Director of a Wisconsin-based disability service center for 3 ½ years. During that time, he gained extensive experience providing key disability services such as pre-vocational training, supported employment, day services, and integrative community activities.

Kruempel also has a deeper personal connection that prepared him for this role. He and his wife’s first child was diagnosed with a congenital brain malformation and placed on the Autism spectrum. This personal experience ignited his passion for making a difference in the lives of those facing similar experiences. His hands-on experience as a parent of a child receiving disability services and his role as a leader in the field uniquely position him to understand and address the diverse needs of COC’s community.

“My upbringing in a family deeply rooted in service to others, combined with raising a child with disabilities, has shaped my dedication to working with vulnerable populations,” added Kruempel. “This personal connection has greatly influenced my approach to this role, as I aspire to model service provision to our clients in a manner that aligns with the care and compassion I would want for my own son.”

Kruempel envisions a future for COC where the organization remains at the forefront of providing quality services, establishing itself as the provider of choice for families and funding sources in the region. He aims to foster community integration as a seamless and natural aspect of daily routines for the individuals COC supports.

“What motivated me to join Christian Opportunity Center in this leadership role was the desire to return to the Central-Iowa region to be closer to family and to continue serving individuals with disabilities,” said Kruempel. “I believe there is a strong alignment between my personal values and those of COC, and I am excited about the opportunity to grow as a leader while empowering individuals with disabilities to live fulfilling lives.”

COC welcomes Derek Kruempel and his family and looks forward to his positive impact as the Associate Director, furthering the organization’s mission of empowering individuals with disabilities to realize their full potential.

Greeting from Spiritual Services at Christian Opportunity Center

Thursday, 14 September 2023 09:27
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Every year we reach out to congregations in the communities where COC serves to bring awareness of our brothers and sisters who happen to have disabilities.   Most congregations have different days set apart throughout the year for disability awareness, but we choose October to observe and to get the word out about our brothers and sisters in Christ who live with disabilities.


Disability Awareness Sunday for all congregations encourages others to allow their churches to be places of belonging where everyone is given opportunity to discover who they are in Christ as well as in the church as they join in ministry, with a particular focus on people with disabilities.


Throughout my time at COC I have learned more from people supported than I have had the opportunity to teach.  There are so many things they teach us from accepting ourselves and others as they are, unconditional love and friendship and so much more.  If you would like me to come to your congregation to speak on your designated Disability Awareness Sunday, please reach out to me in Spiritual Services at COC. You may send me an e-mail message at tcomstock@christianopportunity.org or give me a call at 641-628-8087 ext: 1101. After I’ve heard from you, I will contact you about a date and time that works best for your church service.

COC Appoints Jodi Tukker as Executive Director

Thursday, 07 September 2023 14:35
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Christian Opportunity Center (COC) is proud to announce the appointment of Jodi Tukker as its new Executive Director. With an impressive career spanning over two decades at COC, Jodi brings a wealth of experience and a heartfelt commitment to the organization’s mission.

Jodi Tukker’s career at COC began when she joined as a Direct Support Professional in the Pella program while pursuing her college education. Her unwavering dedication to COC’s mission and values has been evident throughout her journey. Over the years, she has assumed several key administrative roles and in 2018 she became Associate Director. Her passion for supporting individuals with disabilities has been a guiding force in her rise within the organization.

Reflecting on her tenure at COC, Jodi Tukker shared, “COC has been a place where I could grow in skill sets that I didn’t start out knowing I had. Working in this field can be challenging at times, but it is also very rewarding, and COC is an organization I have always been very proud to be a part of.” Her journey within the organization is a testament to her commitment to personal and professional growth, a journey that has now led her to the role of Executive Director.

Jodi holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Dordt College and a master’s degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University. When asked about COC’s accomplishments, she highlighted the organization’s consistent commitment to its Christian values and to delivering exceptional services, even amidst challenges such as covid and workforce shortages. “We have people supported and staff that have been with COC for decades, and I believe that our Christian values and the excellent services we continue to provide are two of the primary reasons people stay,” Jodi emphasized.

The entire COC community is thrilled to welcome Jodi Tukker as the new Executive Director, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to hold this position in COC’s 54-year history. Her dedication, extensive experience, and heartfelt commitment to COC’s mission make her an excellent choice to lead the organization into the future.

Christian Opportunity Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support and services to individuals with disabilities. With a strong commitment to Christian values and a history spanning 54 years, COC has consistently enhanced its services, ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive the opportunities and support they deserve. Under the leadership of Jodi Tukker, COC is prepared to continue its legacy of excellence and empowerment within the disability services field.

For more information about Christian Opportunity Center, please visit christianopportunity.org.

 

 

Christian Opportunity Center Announces Retirement of Executive Director, John Eilers

Wednesday, 30 August 2023 12:20
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John Eilers
COC Executive Director

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) announces the retirement of John Eilers, Executive Director, who has dedicated nearly two decades of his career to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities at COC. Effective August 31st, Eilers will be stepping down from his position, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional leadership and a deep impact on COC.

Eilers joined COC in 2004 as the Associate Director, bringing with him an impressive professional background and a passion for human services and ministry. In 2018, Eilers assumed the role of Executive Director and has demonstrated exceptional leadership during challenging times, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and workforce crises with resilience and compassion. His dedication ensured the well-being and safety of both the individuals supported and the staff at COC.

Reflecting on COC’s greatest accomplishments during his tenure, Eilers said, “Two achievements come to mind, first, the heroic work of all COC staff as we together weathered the Covid-19 Pandemic with minimal loss of life and serious illness for people supported and staff. The second noteworthy achievement was the conversion of all but one of our Intermediate Care Facilities to Home and Community Based Services group homes. The positive outcomes are more community integrated lives for people supported and better funding for COC.”

Beyond the organizational achievements, Eilers cherishes the countless moments of compassion, rapport, and personal growth witnessed between COC staff and the individuals they support. These heartwarming experiences exemplify the core values that define COC, making it a truly special place.

For Eilers, COC has been more than just a career; Eilers went on to say, “I have been blessed to be able to do work that is not only human services but also a ministry to people with disabilities. To be part of COC’s ministry to support wonderful people with disabilities to have a good life has been a privilege and a joy.”

The entire COC community, including staff, individuals supported, and stakeholders, join in expressing their deep appreciation for Eilers’ outstanding leadership, commitment, and invaluable contributions to COC’s growth and success. While he will be greatly missed, John Eilers leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and guide COC’s future endeavors.

Our mission is to Integrate Christian values in empowering individuals with disabilities to realize their full potential.