Des Moines, IA, January 23, 2012 — Anawim Housing is proud to have been selected as one of the top five finalists for the Des Moines Register’s Aurora Award. The annual award recognizes a central Iowa organization which makes a difference in the community it serves, as well as providing for community needs and promoting unity and empowerment without regard to race or gender.

 Anawim Housing is truly pleased to be chosen as a top five finalist for the Aurora Award, as this recognition highlights Anawim’s critical work to fulfill the need for affordable housing in the Des Moines area, where far too many families are still homeless or in unsafe living conditions.  Staff and volunteers are committed to the vision of Anawim’s founder Sr. Stella Neill that home is not optional; it is the foundation of a strong and stable family and they are passionate about bettering the community by providing low-income housing opportunities throughout Des Moines, as well as supportive services that help families thrive, such as education and employment.

 “Anawim Housing is very honored to be a finalist for this prestigious award,” said Russ Frazier, President of Anawim Housing. “The Aurora Award emphasizes fulfilling a community need, which is exactly what Anawim Housing strives to do for families in the greater Des Moines community through providing safe, warm, and affordable homes for more than 1,200 individuals to come home to every night, especially during these cold winter months.”

Anawim is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year. In 2011, the organization completed 16 new townhomes on Forest Avenue, bringing its total of owned homes to 243 and collaborated with Christ The King Church’s senior citizen housing project. The organization also manages 35 homes through its property management program. The Shelter Plus Care program also provides rental assistance to homeless individuals and families where an adult suffers from serious mental illness, chronic substance abuse or an AIDS-related disease.

About Anawim Housing:

Anawim Housing is a non-profit organization founded in Des Moines in 1987, by Sr. Stella Neill.  Its mission is to develop stable homes and strengthen communities. Anawim is able to achieve this by providing safe and affordable homes to eligible candidates in the Des Moines community. Last year Anawim Housing helped 1,200 individuals find a place to call home through permanent rental properties for families and individuals, rental management or consultant services for churches and other organizations, Shelter Plus Care and Rapid Rehousing programs and Family Advocacy programs.  Please visit www.anawimhousing.org for more information.

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