“Heartland Family Service is a great place to be, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
– Mary, HFS Housing Client
In 2007, when Mary first connected with Heartland Family Service (HFS), she was experiencing acute depression due to unresolved trauma. The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team collaborated with Mary to develop a treatment plan that set her on a path to healing.
“The therapist, they helped me with my depression and my trauma,” said Mary. “They worked with me on providing extra help … the staff at Heartland, you know, they helped me tremendously.”
Her journey, however, took a complicated turn when a split with a partner meant she could no longer afford to pay bills. She found herself homeless and in a dire situation.
Rather than giving up, Mary again accessed HFS resources through the permanent supportive housing program, Heartland Homes. After a year-long stay, and with the additional support from a local builder, in 2024, she purchased a home in Council Bluffs, which she never thought possible.
“Heartland Homes, they gave me the umph to realize that I could do this. ‘You can do this, Mary’,” she exclaimed.
Today, with her housing stabilized and filled with newly minted confidence, Mary is enjoying this chapter in her life in meaningful ways. She takes part in potluck events and keeps busy with crafting projects. In the spirit of giving back, she’s also become an active HFS volunteer. Mary helps where an extra set of hands are needed by stocking donations and organizing office space, and she holds a prestigious seat on the board of directors.
“In the beginning, I had very little self-confidence to do hardly anything or believe in myself … [HFS] helped me regain confidence in myself to reach out and get out on my own,” said Mary. “It’s a great place to volunteer as it gives me purpose in life!”
While Heartland Family Service aims for this community of opportunity, using it to guide our plans and actions, we know that there will always be someone in need, and those needs are always evolving.
Our work, both on the individual and systemic level, is never done.
That’s why we are inviting our entire community to share this vision — because a world where everyone can needs everyone’s unflinching support. Our client base is not lacking. Our staff is skilled and ready. Now, you can help us expand possibilities.