Category Archives: Uncategorized

Main job purpose includes planning, leading and evaluating all aspects of staffing of program and coordinating of services for people with disabilities.

• FT status @ 40 + hours per week. Mostly Monday – Friday with some evenings and weekends possible to meet the needs of the program. On call every 4 weeks.

• Annual salary $43,000 – $48,200 (based on education and experience)

Qualified applicants must possess:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience preferred
• Minimum of 1 year management experience
• Computer proficiency
• High personal integrity
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong supervisory skills and ability to be a positive role model

*Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application.

If you have any questions about employment at COC, contact us by phone at 641-628-8087, ext. 1139 or by e-mailing Human Resources.

COC is an equal employment opportunity employer.

• Responsible to provide adults with disabilities training in functional academics including money management skills and to assist in providing activities for people supported in the Life Skills program.
• Will ensure maintenance and development of skills for each person, including work, social, leisure/recreation, personal health and basic living.
• Will provide training and support to people supported in the process of job coaching and community based employment. To provide training, support, and consultation to businesses employing persons supported in the Community Based Employment (CBE) program.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills required.
• Monday through Friday days with some evening and weekend hours.
• Wage: $16/hr.

If you have any questions about employment at COC, contact us by phone at 641-628-8087 Ext 1139 or by e-mailing Human Resources.

COC is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Russ Houghton of Indianola retired for the second time in his lifetime on New Year’s Eve.  Houghton’s first retirement was from Cement Tech in Indianola. On his last day at Cement Tech, Christian Opportunity Center (COC) offered Houghton a Living Sills Advisor position.  A Living Skills Advisor is responsible for the supervision and providing interactive training for people with disabilities in group home settings.  After 12 years working in different locations at COC, Russ has decided to retire for the final time, as stated in his resignation letter.

Houghton has worked most of his career in COC’s Indianola Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) residential programs and worked as a substitute in other COC programs.  Christie Avant, Houghton’s supervisor, said, “Besides being a dedicated staff working overnights, then moving to early mornings, Russ has blessed People Supported and staff with conducting Bible studies. Russ always has a positive attitude and calming demeanor.”

During Houghton’s time at COC, he recalled many fond memories of the People Supported and staff at COC and often boasts that he could write a book with all his memories. After re-entering the workforce after his retirement, he was very pleased with his experience at COC.  Houghton mentioned COC’s interview process and the many perks that the COC’s Staff Enhancement Fund offers COC employees.

Houghton and his wife have six children, three of whom have also worked at COC.

Avant continued, “He will be greatly missed by the People Supported and all of his co-workers!” Everyone at COC wishes Russ a happy retirement and thanks to Russ for his many years of service to COC.   

Christmas is a time of year when many people reflect on traditions, memories, and the connections to those around us. The decorating of a Christmas tree is often the center of those things for many, including the individuals that Christian Opportunity Center (COC) supports. Whether they are celebrating the Christmas season with the friends they share a house with or the friends they see at Life Skills, they find joy in the tradition of decorating their Christmas trees each year.

COC offers residential services to approximately 150 individuals with disabilities in Pella, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, Indianola, and Des Moines. Most individuals in COC’s residential programs live in either an Intermediate Care Facility for persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/ID) or a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) home. People with disabilities living in an ICF/ID generally need considerable supervision and support with activities of daily living. An HCBS home provides teaching and support to help people with disabilities develop independent living skills while living in shared homes. COC also offers a day program called Life Skills in Pella, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, and Indianola, which many of the individuals living in HCBS homes attend. Life Skills staff support individuals in learning about and being involved in their communities while also working on developing social and other skills.

COC’s staff work to help the individuals who participate in our services to feel connected to their homes and their community. The people we support find so much joy in decorating their homes for Christmas, and they wish to share their finished Christmas tree with their families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. However, distance and the busyness of the holiday season can create obstacles.

So, to help overcome the obstacles of distance and busy schedules, this year COC is announcing its first ever Virtual Parade of Christmas Trees. The participating COC homes and Life Skills programs have photographed their Christmas Trees and posted them on the COC website. COC invites the community to view and vote for their favorite Christmas trees at https://christianopportunity.org/christmas-tree-parade/. The tree which receives the most votes will win a pizza party for New Year’s Eve.

“We feel this is a fun way to connect the people we support to their family, friends, and the community during the holidays. We see the pride they take in their homes and their Christmas decorations, and we want to help them share that with those around them,” said Amy Zuck, COC’s Public Information Director.