Since we began in Cedar Rapids in 1970, we have focused on crisis prevention and intervention for people of all ages. Today, we support people across Iowa in crisis approximately 100,000 times per year. We are committed to positive youth development, suicide prevention, and helping build the foundation for stronger and healthier families and safer communities for everyone.
Who we are
A trusted support when life gets tough
Welcome to Foundation 2 Crisis Services. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, confidential and accessible support for individuals and families facing life’s challenges across Iowa. Whether you’re navigating stress, anxiety, thoughts of suicide or other crises, our trained counselors are here to help 24/7. Our services area available at no cost.
We’re glad that you’re on our website. We encourage you to learn more about our services and connect with help. If you’re experiencing a crisis – or you’re concerned about someone you care about – remember that you’re not alone.
We’re a trusted support when life gets tough. All people. Any time. Every time.
To be a trusted support when life gets tough. All people. Any time. Every time.
To build resilience and improve quality of life by ensuring every Iowan has access to our lifesaving work in crisis prevention, intervention and response.
Our Strategic Plan
Our 2025-2029 Strategic Plan focuses on key areas we want to develop and grow. These goals lead our long-term planning and every day decisions.
Partner Solutions for Education & Consulting
Provide training and consulting services by leveraging our expertise and reputation to ensure partner success.
Hiring & Onboarding
Understand the overall employee experience to enact necessary change regarding hiring, onboarding and retention.
Intentional Expansion & Collaborative Relationships
Create methodology for identifying, evaluating, implementing and monitoring expansion opportunities (programmatic and partnership).
Internal Collaboration & Communication
Equip staff to identify the agency’s mission, vision and values. Ensure team members feel included in agency culture, regardless of their program or location.
Our Core Values
We live our core values every day through our services, community involvement and workplace culture. Formally adopted in 2024, these values stem back to our start in 1970.
Compassionate Care – We treat every individual with dignity and respect. Services are client-centered.
Inclusion – All people belong here.
Integrity – We are authentic, honest and reliable.
Community Collaboration – We create a foster partnerships to service individuals holistically and effectively.
Innovation – We try new things and are adaptable to change. We pursue excellence in all that we do.
A Great Place to Work – Staff are people first; our work culture is one of positivity, wellbeing and flexibility.
Crisis Services
Free, 24/7 crisis support for anyone experiencing a mental health or suicide-related situation or concern.
Youth Support
A variety of residential and community programs that support youth and young adults in crisis.
Training & Education
Community and workplace trainings and education opportunities to further suicide prevention efforts.
Origin of our name
Established in 1970 by an “anti-establishment” group of Coe College and Kennedy High School students, Foundation 2 intentionally positioned itself outside the mainstream, pulling inspiration from Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy series.
In the book series, the Second Foundation was established to address important social and psychological issues from behind the scenes, without mainstream culture or government constraints.
Early Foundation 2 Crisis Services staff and volunteers made this structure their model, often tackling mental health care needs that weren’t addressed by mainstream providers.
No longer an anti-establishment organization, Foundation 2 Crisis Services maintains our solid foundation as a premier provider of quality, innovative human services in the Cedar Rapids community.
