Neighborhood Centers

Neighborhood Centers work together with neighbors and neighborhoods to build better futures through education, outreach, and inclusive programs that celebrate diversity, strengthen families, and create safe spaces for community.

Since 1973, NCJC has been to home to new Iowans from across the country and throughout the world. Our programs reach 2,500 children and adults. This includes, NAEYC accredited child development classes, after-school programs, teen programs, drop-in programs, summer camps, youth leadership, and employment training. For adults, we offer home visits, parenting education, ELL classes, and gatherings focused on creative endeavors and fellowship. Our partnerships with adults clears a pathway to success as parents, workers, neighbors, and citizens. We help children through key life transitions to become happy, independent and successful adults.

Our goal is to improve the quality of life for the community by strengthening families and neighborhoods. In order to do so, we depart from the typical human services model driven by a single set of issues. Our partnerships and services continually evolve to reflect the ever-changing needs of children, families, and neighborhoods in transition. We support children in their transitions to Kindergarten and from childhood into adolescence and adulthood. We support families through issues such as immigration, homelessness, child care, and job readiness. We support neighborhoods in coming together to establish and maintain community safety, recreational opportunities, and other neighborhood-based services.