MASON CITY — A broad coalition of North Iowa businesses, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, churches and local government leaders is coming together with a simple goal: find better ways to help some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.
The effort grew out of tragedy.
Last November, North Iowa experienced deaths and other serious situations connected to cold weather, mental health needs, substance issues and gaps in the community response system. Local leaders turned to 43 North Iowa and asked what could be done differently.
The organization’s answer was straightforward: study what is working elsewhere and bring the community together around solutions.
Since then, a growing group has been meeting regularly, examining programs used successfully in other communities and working toward a coordinated approach for Cerro Gordo County.
The effort is now known as the Vulnerable Community Coalition.
Businesses join the effort
The coalition already included local government officials, law enforcement, economic development leaders, faith organizations and nonprofits, but organizers said one important piece was still missing — the business community.
That began changing this summer.
A lunch-and-learn was held August 12 for business and nonprofit leaders, and Curries – Assa Abloy became the first business to formally join the effort August 28 by sponsoring the coalition’s Strategic Planning Year.
Organizers say other businesses and community partners will also have opportunities to support the research and planning work.
The coalition now includes representatives from Curries – Assa Abloy, Cerro Gordo Veterans Affairs, Mason City and Cerro Gordo County government, Mason City and Clear Lake law enforcement, the Mason City and Clear Lake chambers of commerce, North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation, Crisis Intervention Service, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, Friends of the Family – North Central Iowa, Northern Lights Alliance for the Homeless Shelters, 43 North Iowa, Community Health Center of Mason City, Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Additional organizations are expected to join.
People who need help will have a voice
Organizers also want the people who may eventually use the services to have a role in shaping what comes next.
Over the next year, the Community Crisis Response Team plans to conduct outreach to people in need so their experiences and concerns can become part of the coalition’s planning process.
The coalition is looking at models used successfully in other communities and will determine how those approaches could be adapted to the unique challenges of a rural county.
One possible starting point could be veterans, with organizers noting that other communities have successfully begun by focusing resources on a clearly defined vulnerable population before expanding their efforts.
Mason City Mayor John Lee said solving the problem will require cooperation rather than expecting one agency to carry the burden.
“No one organization owns this problem, and no one organization can solve this problem either,” Lee said.
Building a stronger community response
43 North Iowa will lead the strategic planning phase.
Executive Director John Derryberry said the work already underway shows how many people in North Iowa want to help.
“What is evident is there is an abundance of people who care in this community,” Derryberry said. “The goal now is to get that focused on the correct direction.”
Starting in October, coalition members plan to make presentations to additional businesses, churches and members of the public.
During the coming year, the group will continue examining what services are needed, how law enforcement fits into the response and how to balance compassion, accountability and public safety.
The larger goal is to create a stronger social safety net for all Cerro Gordo County residents rather than simply reacting when someone reaches a crisis point.
Organizers say the effort is about taking the compassion that already exists across North Iowa and turning it into a coordinated system capable of preventing tragedy and helping people find a path forward.
