Author Archives: Jacob Dreyer

Emily Sutherland at Indianola High School’s Awards Night on May 19

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) has selected Indianola High School’s Emily Sutherland as the 2016 Sarah M. Braun Memorial Scholarship recipient.

Named in honor of the late daughter of COC Executive Director Rod Braun and his wife Robin and made possible by the COC Foundation Fund, the $1,000 scholarship is presented to a high school senior pursuing an academic focus in human services.

An Ackworth native and member of Farmers Chapel United Methodist Church, Sutherland plans to major in elementary education at Central College beginning in the fall of 2016.

Criteria for the scholarship include academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and personal character and personality. Applications for the scholarship are accepted from all COC service areas.

Daughter of Rodney and Doreen, Sutherland holds a 3.879 cumulative GPA and has received Green Hand, Chapter, and Iowa Degrees from Future Farmers of America and is a member of the National Honor Society, organizations devoted to leadership and service.

A part-time employee at Hy-Vee, Sutherland has led Sunday School and volunteered at the Good Samaritan Center throughout her high school career. She has also contributed to Indianola High School’s Toys for Tots program, packaged meals for Warren County residents, provided food and supplies for Helping Hand, and gathered supplies for the people of Nigeria.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to more than 300 people with disabilities in Dallas, Mahaska, Marion, Polk and Warren counties. For more information, visit www.christianopportunity.org.

Willa Branderhorst celebrated 35 years at COC and received an iPad and wireless keyboard as a gift

Christian Opportunity Center living skills advisor Willa Branderhorst reflected on her 35 years with the organization…in her own words.

Before working at the Christian Opportunity Center, we fostered a girl for four years who worked in COC’s Pella workshop. She then moved into COC’s new cottage that housed 15 adults and I was hired shortly after. I worked in that cottage until it closed and then transitioned to one of the four-person homes that COC purchased.

I still work there to this day.

It is very rewarding to help people reach their God-given potential.

For my 35 years of service, I received an iPad and a wireless keyboard as a gift from COC. It arrived just two days before my daughter and family from Missouri visited for Tulip Time, so they were able to help me set it up and teach me how to use it.

I’m enjoying it very much and I feel very appreciated.

COC Administrative Associate Christina Edsall at the Campus Compact Conference inside the Boston, Mass., Sheraton Hotel

Christian Opportunity Center Administrative Associate Christina Edsall presented alongside representatives from Central College at the March 20-23 Campus Compact 30th Anniversary Conference in Boston, Mass.

Edsall, who also serves as COC’s Volunteer Coordinator, teamed up with Central’s Cheri Doane, Peggy Fitch, and Linda Laine to discuss COC and Central’s efforts during the four-day conference inside the Sheraton Hotel. Doane is the Director of the Center for Community-Based Learning, Fitch is the Vice President for Student Development, and Laine is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies.

The group presented on the topic of Using Dialogue to Deepen Partnership Impact. Through a panel format, they shared their experiences of a mutually transformational partnership that is accelerating change for both the college and community. Edsall shared general information about COC, services COC provides, and provided a history of its partnership with Central, describing the impact of volunteer experiences on both Central students and people supported by COC.

“It was great to be able to share about COC’s partnership with Central,” Edsall said. “Other organizations were able to learn from what we do and apply it in their communities.

“This trip also strengthened our relationship with Central, as I was able to learn more about the challenges facing the college and they were able to learn more about the challenges facing COC. It gave us a better perspective and greater appreciation for one another.”

Following the panel session, Edsall was able to attend additional seminars and see the sights. COC Executive Director Rod Braun said this conference may open the door for Edsall to attend and contribute to future conferences in the state of Iowa and beyond.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to more than 300 people with disabilities in Dallas, Mahaska, Marion, Polk and Warren counties. COC’s mission is to integrate Christian values in teaching skills for life. For more information on COC and its services visit https://christianopportunity.org/.

Bre Brooks, Human Resources Director

Following a comprehensive search process, Christian Opportunity Center has promoted Bre Brooks to Human Resources Director after seven years with the organization in two different positions.

Brooks began her time at COC as a Human Resources Associate in the winter of 2008. After 17 months, Brooks transferred to Program Coordinator, a position she has held for the past six years.

Brooks will manage human resources at COC beginning Wednesday, Feb. 3.

“I am looking forward to new and exciting challenges and the opportunity to grow with the organization,” Brooks said. “I am also eager to interact with staff more regularly, especially with training new hires.”

COC’s mission is to integrate Christian values in teaching skills for life.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to nearly 300 people with disabilities in Dallas, Mahaska, Marion, Polk and Warren counties. For more information on COC and its services visit https://christianopportunity.org/.

Christian Opportunity Center earned its 12th consecutive three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for community employment services, community integration, and organizational employment services.

CARF is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing the quality of services among health and human service providers. CARF provides accreditation worldwide and providers that meet CARF’s standards have demonstrated commitment to being among the best available.

In order to achieve accreditation, a service provider must complete an internal examination of its program and business practices and request an on-site survey conducted by a team of expert practitioners selected by CARF. The provider must demonstrate that it conforms to rigorous and internationally recognized CARF standards. The on-site survey was conducted Nov. 4-6 and COC was notified of the accreditation award on Jan. 4.

People with disabilities face a variety of options when deciding what services to utilize and who should provide them and CARF accreditation is a sign of quality and is an important consideration in their decision making.

November’s survey included COC’s Community-Based Employment and Life Skills programs in Indianola, Oskaloosa and Pella, as well as Sheltered Employment programs in Oskaloosa and Pella. COC also provides residential supports and services in Des Moines, Indianola, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, Pella and Waukee, but these services are regularly reviewed by state regulatory agencies.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to nearly 300 people with disabilities in Dallas, Mahaska, Marion, Polk and Warren counties. For more information visit https://christianopportunity.org/ or connect with Christian Opportunity Center on Facebook and IowaCOC on Twitter.