(Des Moines, IA) -- Hope Ministries is transforming a former Des Moines elementary school into a shelter for women and children. Hope Ministries bought the former Douglas Elementary School building at 38-hundred East Douglas Avenue in 2020. The plan calls for a shelter for single women and mothers with children facing homelessness, hunger, abuse or addiction. Officials held a ground-breaking today (Thursday).
The campus is named in honor of Steven R. Lankford, former president and CEO of Boyer Valley Company, who died in 2016. Lankford was a long-time friend of Nix and Virginia Lauridsen, lead donors in Hope Ministries' campaign to build a new center.
"Steve was kind, loyal and a shining example of overcoming obstacles to succeed in life," said Nix Lauridsen during the event. "It's fitting to name this campus in memory of Steve in the hope that all who benefit from the work that's done here will overcome their obstacles and realize their gifts."
The Lauridsens donated $2.5 million toward Hope Ministries' Empowering Women, Uplifting the Community capital campaign.
Hope Ministries currently offers short-term and long-term life recovery programming for women and children at a smaller campus. The new center at 3800 E. Douglas Ave. will triple Hope Ministries' capacity. It will also offer same-day check in, allowing individuals and families to check in at their most critical time of need—something that isn't possible at Hope Ministries' current Hope Center.