Our mission is to be a trusted support when life gets tough. All people. Any time. Every time. During the challenging time that was July 2020-June 2021, we saw this mission demonstrated by each of our programs, thousands of times.

We responded to a recording-breaking number of crisis contacts at the crisis center. We weathered a derecho and the resulting disruptions and damage. We adjusted our services many times to best serve Iowans while staying safe during the pandemic. Thanks to your partnership, we were able to answer these needs in different ways every day.

I invite you to explore our FY21 Annual Report below – including our print edition linked below and expanded online resources. We’re grateful for all you do to support our important work in the community and know that without you and the connection of others, more people would suffer, more lives would be lost. Thank you.

2020-2021 Program Highlights

Coronavirus Pandemic

We provided a combination of telehealth care, phone/text/chat services, and in-person programming over the last year. In late fall 2021, we returned all in-person services, acknowledging the deep need to provide quality, in-person mental health needs for many in our community who have struggled in the last year.

We heard from many callers who were experiencing deep feelings of anxiety and depression for the first time. Many others were experiencing more severe concerns due to isolation, loss of income or stability, and other life changes. As we continue to navigate the ever-changing pandemic landscape, we know that the mental health impacts will continue to be felt across Iowa. As an organization, we will continue to make informed decisions to best serve our community during times of widespread crisis.

Derecho

Following the August 2020 derecho, Foundation 2 employees worked quickly to reinstate crisis line services, provide mental health support in Cedar Rapids, and continue 24/7 services at the emergency youth shelter. Crisis counselors helped staff the resource centers in Cedar Rapids to provide mental health care in the days following the storm, and efforts were made to quickly return crisis center services despite widespread power outages.

Because of these tireless efforts, we were able to resume crisis services within days and continue to operate the emergency youth shelter without interruption. Notably, the Foundation 2 Mobile Crisis Outreach program was recognized by the American Association of Suicidology for its work after the derecho.

All Cedar Rapids Foundation 2 locations sustained damage in the storm. We sincerely thank the employees, board members, and community volunteers who helped us with our recovery efforts.

We anticipate that the mental health impacts of the storm will continue into the foreseeable future. Heightened feelings of anxiety, a profound sense of loss, new feelings during severe weather, and other storm-related concerns do not disappear when the storm ends. We will continue to be a trusted support for Iowans when these feelings arise.

Financials

Income and expenses information for FY21

We host volunteers for various projects throughout the year, including derecho clean-up and staff appreciation efforts. These efforts take responsibilities off the plates of our staff and give them the opportunity to focus on providing high-quality, mission-based services.

In May, we hosted several dozen volunteers through the United Way Day of Caring. Volunteers cleaned up landscaping at the Emergency Youth Shelter and Administrative Office, put together small tokens of appreciation to give to Foundation 2 staff, and helped clean out the Administrative Office basement. All of these projects helped us to focus on direct client services while still maintaining daily needs for staff.

We greatly appreciate all volunteers who help us fill these gaps to best serve our communities! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Katie Curtis, Chief Development Officer, at kcurtis@foundation2.org.

Thank you for learning more about Foundation 2 Crisis Services!

Connect with us on social media to stay informed all year, including ways you can volunteer, partner, donate, and more to support mental health care in your community.