This nonprofit is an excellent resource for the Marshalltown community! The director, Sharon Swope works day and night to help anyone in need, to help them with housing, warmth (giving comforters, blankets, coats, boots, gloves, scarves and hats.) She has continued to work helping others, even without having heat in her jeep. Sharon knows where to go for any type of help the community needs. She is well known, we'll liked and very approachable by anyone.
We are a nonprofit that used to be round fitting in an octogon hole. No one heard of us so off the printers went flers, fundraisers, community volunteers, and many speaking engagements. We are people with mental health symptoms who can work through symptoms with other peers or make counseling appointments and their peers get them there. No one else was helping when 2 mental hospitals were closed by the Governor with no plan to help. I dont believe sending people home after a shot and wanting to hurt themselves is appropriate. Takes 30 days for new meds to work usually. I talk to the doctors if member signs release. They general send them out after 24 hours. No beds anywhere. They go Home alone.NO!! Now they come to us Mid-Ia Triumph Recovery Center, Inc. Is member run, with a strong board and Executive Director with a life time of experience. Safe, private, confidential, and events that most people can go to for expansion of Community Integration and acceptance. We have strict rules of conduct to practice when out in the Community and at the Center. We are a place to tell how you feel, be accepted and encouraged, and learn what respecting each other gets you. We have 2 trained peer Counselors and me, Director. They split the hours as all members are responsible to help each other. I am rarely gone. We added more hours to help the members instead of pay raise. We are making a difference as almost 400 visits a month with around 55 different people. We have over 100 members. Our needs are plain. If we have donated entrance fees, donated food for crock pots, as we all love pot lucks, and donations for more work hours with mileage. We would love to make a difference in the Community like we did when an apartment complex burned to the ground. We gathered clothes and picked up furniture and delivered with the help of the Churches and Red Cross. One person didn't get help, but we still will help him when he is ready. Some of our members lost everything. Guitars werent replaced, and we wanted to start showing basic piano lessons. We are greatful for all help. There is a couple who lives in a metal storage shed. I want to help them but she is waiting for her disability income any day. Heartbreaking. There are other cities where people have no transportation but are in my County. A Van to get folks to Center would be amazing. I would love to have 15 seater van, almost got an old one, but it was sold, so we could ride together. I took a huge cut in hours and pay to take this job.
So....didnt realize how much we needed, but our arms are always open. The County helps with rent and necessities as does the United Way for crafts, trips, and some gas. We would love to go to State Fair as a group and have had fundraisers to get enough money. It will be a task but looking forward to it. Staying for free concert.
Speakers to learn about issues, insurance xlx, the brain, why voices, depression, and knowing what to do to remain safe. Have had several women sexually assulted, beaten, and taken advantage of in so many ways. Education doesnt always teach the first try. It may take 10 tries for people with mh issues to get it. Meds gives faultering memories.
I hope someone out there feels this nonprofit is so important so please donate or send some grant applications for the mentally disabled with barriers in this world that can be overcome with love, guidance, and education. They are no different than the rest of us. They just need support that they haven't known.
Sincerely,
Sharon E. Swope
Executive Director
Mid-Ia Triumph Recovery Center, Inc.
I was a severely depressed woman. My husband and I had just moved here and our last child left the nest. I met with the triumph center, then just a small group of ladies in the basement of the Catholic Church on Lynn, My first visit I couldn't stop crying. The ladies hugged me and invited me to come back again. Just that made me have some hope. I have done a lot of healing in the four years I have been involved with the wonderful people at the triumph center.
Susan Yoder. At first volunteer, then paid employee.
This nonprofit is the only one in Marshall County that is open for people who are having Mental Health Symptoms to come to the center mon- fri to try to work on their issues using taught coping skills, redirecting with arts and crafts, listening to guest speakers help them to understand, and to be independent in the community. Acceptance is so important, because only 1 % of those with mental health issues are violent. They want everything you want and can achieve it. 95% of people with mental health issues suffer with PTSD from horrendous abuse when children. They can get healthier. We are growing with members so fast we run out of chairs and room. We need a larger place but need costs down. Our Center is helping so many.