Category Archives: Recent News

COC Appoints Jodi Tukker as Executive Director

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

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.

Knights of Columbus’ Annual Campaign for Individuals with Disabilities Continues to Make a Difference, Inspires Community Support

[Pella, Iowa] – Christian Opportunity Center (COC) celebrates the Knights of Columbus’ (KoC) Campaign for Individuals with Disabilities, which takes place this month. As we reflect on the impact of their efforts, COC is a testament to the positive change that can be achieved when organizations and communities come together.

The Knights of Columbus’ annual Campaign for Individuals with Disabilities has touched the lives of countless individuals with disabilities nationwide. Through this initiative, the KoC has demonstrated its commitment to empowering and uplifting individuals with disabilities, and COC is immensely grateful for its support.

COC has received donations from multiple Knights of Columbus chapters in the communities we serve, including Pella, Oskaloosa, Norwalk, and Indianola. This collective effort underlines the broader commitment of the Knights to support individuals with disabilities and create positive change in communities across Iowa.

In 2022, the Pella KoC’s dedication and innovative approach were displayed as they hosted the Pella-Thon Variety Show alongside their renowned tootsie roll drive. Together, these efforts resulted in an impressive $60,000 raised for individuals with disabilities in the Pella area. Their support extended to numerous organizations in the Pella community. COC received a donation from the Pella KoC, which enabled COC to purchase a much-needed wheelchair-accessible vehicle, further enhancing the lives of those we serve.

As we celebrate this remarkable campaign, we extend our gratitude to the Knights of Columbus for their profound impact on the communities we serve. Their dedication to the well-being and empowerment of individuals with disabilities has paved the way for greater inclusivity and opportunities for growth. COC recognizes the significant role played by the KoC in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals with disabilities can truly thrive.

We take this opportunity to encourage others to rally behind the Knights of Columbus’ Campaign for Individuals with Disabilities. By supporting this worthy cause, you not only enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities but also strengthen organizations like COC, allowing us to continue to work to enable individuals with disabilities to live, work, and worship in the communities of their choice.

Amy Zuck, Public Information Director, remarked, “The Knights of Columbus’ continued support has been one of the driving forces behind our ability to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Their support over the years has helped many of the individuals we support attend summer camps and special trips. They have provided so many opportunities for the people we support to experience new places and make countless memories, which would not have been possible without their support.”

Let us come together to celebrate the spirit of giving exemplified by the Knights of Columbus, and let their inspiring example encourage us all to support their efforts. Together, we can create a lasting impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities, making our community a better and more inclusive place for everyone. For more information on the Pella Knights of Columbus and their upcoming Campaign for Individuals with Disabilities, please visit connect with Pella Knights of Columbus #12334 on Facebook.

COC Scholarships 2023: Recipients Announced for Knoxville and Indianola High School Graduates

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) is proud to announce the recipients of two scholarships for 2023 local high school graduates. These scholarships, made possible by the COC Foundation Fund, are designed to recognize exceptional students in the COC service area and to provide financial assistance for their continued education. The two scholarships offered this year are the Sarah M. Braun Memorial Scholarship and the Proving What’s Possible Scholarship.

The Sarah M Braun Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that was awarded to Alizabeth Orey from Indianola. This scholarship is named in honor of the late daughter of former COC Executive Director Rod Braun and wife, Robin, a current COC employee. It is presented to a high school senior pursuing an academic focus in human services. The scholarship is awarded based on excelling in academic performance, involvement in extracurricular activities and the local community, and a positive personal character and personality, all of which were demonstrated by Sarah Braun.

Orey is a highly accomplished honor student who is deeply involved in community service and volunteering in her community. She is also actively involved in Student Council, Band, Choir, Mayor’s Youth Council, and many more activities. Orey plans to attend Simpson college in the fall to study Pre-med, psychology, and neuroscience. She is a member of St Thomas Aquinas church in Indianola. COC congratulates Orey on her hard work and dedication and wishes her the best in her future endeavors.

The Proving What’s Possible Scholarship is a $500 one-time scholarship awarded by Christian Opportunity Center to a graduating high school senior with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP)  who has had a successful high school career and wishes to continue their education at a two-year community college, a vocational/technical training program, or a specialized program.

This year, the scholarship was awarded to Samuel Ball, a Knoxville Senior who has been on the honor roll for four years and is highly involved in Marching and Pep band. Despite facing challenges, Ball is eager to continue his education and develop more skills to find a good career and live independently. He plans to attend the University of Iowa’s REACH program in the fall.

Christian Opportunity Center is proud to recognize Samuel Ball’s achievements and dedication to his education. We believe that every individual, regardless of their disabilities, deserves the opportunity to pursue their educational goals. The Proving What’s Possible Scholarship is one way that we can support and encourage young people like Samuel to reach their full potential.  COC hopes that the Proving What’s Possible scholarship will inspire other students with disabilities to pursue their education and demonstrate that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and the right support. 

COC would like to congratulate both Alizabeth Orey and Samuel Ball for their hard work and dedication in their studies and extracurricular activities. We are proud to support the education of individuals who are dedicated to improving their communities and themselves.

 

Christian Opportunity Center Announces Promotion of Kelsey Goff

After six and a half years of dedicated service, Christian Opportunity Center (COC) is proud to announce the promotion of Kelsey Goff to Regional Director of Residential Services. In her new role, Goff will be responsible for the oversight of Residential programs providing support and services to individuals with disabilities in the Pella, Indianola, and Des Moines Regions.

Goff has held various positions at COC, including Program Coordinator in the Indianola/Pella regions and Program Manager/Program Coordinator for the Oskaloosa/Knoxville regions. She credits her success to the great team players and supportive role models at COC, and she plans to bring the same qualities to her new role by being a good role model, empowering those around her, and leading by example.

Goff expressed excitement at the prospect of her new role: “I enjoy coming to work every day, and I’m looking forward to this new opportunity with COC. I hope to provide new ideas and opportunities and will work with my colleagues and team members to achieve our goals.”

“Kelsey is bringing a lot of great experience and energy into her new role. She’s a great fit for this position and I’m excited to have her join the COC Leadership Team” says Jodi Tukker, Associate Director.

The Christian Opportunity Center is thrilled to have Goff in her new position and is confident that she will continue to provide the best possible services for those individuals served in all communities served by COC.

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