Tag Archives: DeWitt Delivers

DeWitt Referral Center Capital Campaign Update

Hello DeWitt! This is Bridget Miller, Vice President of the DeWitt Referral Center Board. As many of you know we have a capital campaign in progress for our new building. We started this venture in the Fall of 2019 and officially kicked off our campaign at the beginning of 2020. After all, what could possibly go wrong with a year like 2020? (Insert sarcasm here). We had a strong start however as March unfolded, we had to put our campaign on hold, shifting our focus to our growing client list affected by Covid-19.

Although we closed our thrift store, we kept actively serving our clients. Whether it was an emergency food box pick up or delivery or a conversation assuring them we were here, being their advocate through this uncertain time.  We provided over 600 emergency food bags in the first two months, serving more clients than in any other two-month timeframe in our history.

Our phone rang often with a need for help, it also rang often with someone offering to help us. This community responded with food and financial donations that helped sustain our operations. My first glimpse of this was right after we closed the store. As a new client arrived in need of emergency assistance, another community member arrived with food, a monetary donation and volunteered to help that weekend. It gave me goosebumps to see how quickly our prayers were getting answered!

As we helped our most vulnerable clients, we became increasingly aware of how vulnerable our building was- due to lack of space, storage, and accessibility. We weren’t sure what to expect as we re-approached our fundraising efforts, especially considering all the generosity we had already received, but we knew we had to keep moving forward. Just as this community stepped up to help us through covid-19 concerns, we continue to see that same generosity in all aspects of our mission. Our community embracing the capital campaign, ensuring our Thanksgiving meals were fully funded, and adopting every single family in need this year!   

When our team gathered last fall, without knowing what 2020 had in store for us, we set a goal of 75% of our total campaign by the end of 2020. As I write this, our thermometer is sitting exactly at the 75% mark. Our events have been great success stories and private donations continue to come in almost daily. Even in 2020, this community continues to respond, supporting us with volunteer committees, private donors, partnerships with businesses, churches, social clubs, and the list keeps growing. We are moving into our next planning stage and plan to break ground in Spring 2021. In a year that seemed impossible to overcome, we are tracking to be over-achievers. To the outside person this may seem unbelievable but our Director, Michelle Ehlinger, describes it best: “DeWitt takes care of their people. Whenever I have put the word out, this community has responded.” Thank you for believing in our mission and being the heart, hands, and feet in making our vision become a reality.  We are incredibly humbled by your support.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and we thank you for giving us a Happy New Year!

DeWitt Delivers: Clinton County SCORE

DeWitt Delivers, now that is the SCORE!  I am told by this community’s business leaders that local customers are starting to return and there are high hopes for rebounding after the initial shock of the COVID crisis.

Lots of things are coming out of the crisis, not the least of which is the renewed recognition of what a great place DeWitt and the surrounding county is to live. Businesses large and small, customers, students, churches and everyone benefiting from this community can feel good about where they live even in troubled times.

My wife (Shirley Shelton) and I grew up in DeWitt when our area was much different, but both our families had local businesses and we knew that every year presented uncertainty.  I think that is why our area is so resilient. 

What made the uncertainty scary is that we were dependent on our own experiences to make business decisions.  There was a lot of wishing and hoping that went into those decisions.  My dad called it “seat of the pants” management and he often said we had to be a “jack of all trades”.  That brings me to the point of this blog, Clinton County SCORE.

Clinton County SCORE is part of the Quad Cities SCORE Chapter and as such has all the expertise and resources of that organization available to all businesses in this area by adding a local presence…me.  I was born and raised in DeWitt and have lived in Camanche and Clinton where we owned businesses and was active with economic development and chambers of commerce.

Shirley and I left the area over 30 years ago, had successful careers, and unique business and living experiences. We have come back to see that growth and quality of life has improved.  We want to give back.  Making SCORE more available to businesses in DeWitt and Clinton County is one of the ways we have chosen to do that.

SCORE is a completely free service for all small and medium sized enterprises.  SCORE is a completely free service for all small and medium sized enterprises.  All we ask is your support in using our services and reporting on our value to the rest of SCORE so that we can continue to offer these services in Clinton County.

SCORE services are immediately available.  Like our Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/SCOREQuadCities/ and be sure to check out events going on now and available via Zoom.  You can also reach out to me directly at dillon.franks@scorevolunteer.org.

We have subject matter experts in practically all industries.  Particular to me is food and beverage, retail, construction, manufacturing, technology-based, professional services, and agri-business. Whether you are an established enterprise or just dreaming of starting one, reach out, with SCORE you are never alone. We can meet virtually and will be available in-person when the SBA gives us the go-ahead.

Making the Most of Our Rural Landscape

Hi, DeWitt! My name is Jenna Stevens and for the past two years, I have had the privilege of working with our county youth as an Ag in the Classroom Consultant. Ag in the Classroom is a program sponsored by the Clinton County Farm Bureau with the goal of making sure students know where their food comes from and who is doing the hard work to produce that food.

With the kids out of school and summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to learn about the food on our tables. Whether it is the steak sizzling on the grill or the fresh asparagus from the FFA asparagus patch, we have access to some of the best food around and it is grown right in our community.

An easy way to teach your youngsters about where their food comes from is to grow some yourself! A garden is a great method to teach kids about science and agriculture. If space is a problem, consider doing a small raised bed in the back of your yard or even starting herbs in a sunny window of your kitchen. Watering the garden is an excuse to get away from the computer screen for a little while and once the plants have produced their bounty for the season, kids can help with the harvest. It is always fun to dig in the dirt for a potato or pluck a bright red pepper off the vine and it might even be a way to entice them to eat their veggies. A win for everyone.

If you are looking to get out but still want to avoid public places, consider taking your children for a drive in the country. Spring on the farm means new babies are being born and sunny skies mean those babies are ready to kick up their heels. Nothing is cuter than a pair of calves zooming across a field of green grass and a drive in the country is a chance to show your kids all the hard work farmers are putting in to get their crops planted.

For an extra bit of fun, you can request a farm bingo card from me at the Farm Bureau office. Farm bingo categories are universal to most of the rural community, so you don’t need to be in a specific area, and they are categories that will help your child become aware of the spring season taking place around them. These categories include farm animals like those fuzzy little calves along with machinery you might see a farmer using in his or her field.

Another way to introduce agriculture into every day is by getting creative in the kitchen. All of us have stacks of cookbooks on a shelf or recipes pinned to our Pinterest that we never get around to making. I know I have a caramel cashew cake that has been pinned for at least three years… Yikes! Now is the time to tackle those recipes and teach life skills in the process. Measuring ingredients means a practical math lesson and you can have a great conversation about the farmers who grew the ingredients you are using in your recipe. Maybe your kids do not know that most of the sugar used to make caramel is produced from sugar beets or that cashews come from a fruit known as a cashew apple. It’s true!

Remember, everyday moments are sometimes the best for teaching and living in a community like DeWitt offers us plenty of chances to make the most of our rural landscape. If you want more ideas on how to introduce agriculture to your kiddos, feel free to reach out to me at clintonagintheclassroom@outlook.com.

-Jenna Stevens, Ag in the Classroom Consultant, Clinton County Farm Bureau

Tech Changemakers

Hi DeWitt Community! My name is Amanda Rau and I am the County Youth Coordinator for
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Clinton County. In July of 2019, I moved to
Clinton County after graduating from Iowa State University and quickly felt at home in DeWitt.
Growing up in a small town of 250 taught me how important local businesses are and I’m so grateful to have a job where I can meet so many community folks. As the County Youth/4-H
Coordinator for Clinton County Extension and Outreach, I have the privilege of working with bright and determined K-12 youth. Whether it’s in the classroom, through 4-H clubs or the county fair, the youth I meet continue to impress me. There’s one group of high school 4-H’ers I
want to highlight today, the 4-H Tech Changemakers.

Almost a year ago, Clinton County Extension and Outreach received a grant from Microsoft and
National 4-H for nearly $10,000. Clinton County was one of two counties in Iowa to receive the grant. After attending national trainings and county-specific trainings, six high school 4-H
members have designed teaching sessions specific for Clinton County. This group is called 4-H
Tech Changemakers and includes Kailey Clark, Noah Conard, Carson Deppe, Ciera Krogman,
Will Martin and Allyse Marx.

About the Grant
The Microsoft and 4-H Tech Changemakers partnership empowers youth to help close the broadband internet gap. Currently, in the U.S. there are 23.4 million people who lack broadband internet access. Access is only half of the problem, feeling secure and knowledgeable enough to adapt and use the technology is the other half. This partnership elevates teens as teachers to provide training and communication to assist adults in their community with increasing their comfort level in utilizing new technology. (National 4-H Council, 2018)

Free Classes for Adults
After learning how to teach the content, the 4-H Tech Changemakers set up classes across
Clinton County. These classes are free, thanks to the grant, and designed for both skilled and new-to-technology adults. At each class, attendees will learn about three main topics.

  1. Online Shopping: Purchasing goods online can be convenient, but doing it safely and effectively is paramount. Identify secure ways to shop online, practice online shopping
    and report fraudulent online shopping scams.
  2. Information Literacy: An information-literate person can identify, find, evaluate and use information effectively. Identify the process of assessing the quality, credibility, and validity of websites and how to use search strategies to find digital information.
  3. Privacy and Security: Having strategies for managing personal information and
    keeping it secure from online risks such as identity thieves and phishing is important.
    Create strong passwords, identify ways to avoid scams and analyze privacy policies.

Attendees can bring their own computer, iPad or tablet or use tablets from the Clinton County
Extension Office.
Cell phones are not the target device of the class, but the team can still answer questions about them at the end. Even with Iowa winter weather and unforeseen challenges with public health, the 4-H Tech Changemakers have been able to reach adults in Clinton County with two classes so far. One at the Extension and Outreach Office in January and one in Calamus at the CALCO in March. More classes were scheduled for April but are canceled at this time. The 4-H Tech Changemakers hope to schedule additional classes in the near future. At this time, the team is still planning to visit the DeWitt Noon Lions in May.

Impact on Clinton County 4-H
Besides the impact for community members, the Clinton County 4-H program has also been affected. For example, new hotspots were purchased for use at the Tech Changemaker classes,
Clinton County Club Show and youth programming away from the office. With access to the internet during livestock check-ins and shows, results can be entered on the spot. The office was also able to purchase three new Microsoft Surfaces for staff to use year-round. These replaced old computers that were not as easily transported.

Impact on DeWitt
This program is a great addition to the DeWitt community because young people are using their skills to connect and deliver information to a population who can use it. Technology can be difficult for anyone but this group of 4-H’ers grew up with it and know it very well. They truly enjoy teaching new skills to their parents, grandparents, and neighbors.

Where to Learn More
If your organization would benefit from this education, please reach out to Amanda at clinton4h@iastate.edu. The 4-H Tech Changemakers would be happy to come to you!
Stay up-to-date on future classes and the 4-H Tech Changemaker team through the Clinton
County 4-H Facebook page
and website. Classes are also posted on the DCDC Events page.
I hope you’ll find a teaching session near you or even reach out to a member of the team!

Thanks for reading and I’ll see you around DeWitt.
Amanda Rau

Creating A Healthier You and A Healthier Community

Hi, this is Kari from the Holistic Health Hub here in downtown DeWitt. I am a Holistic
Health Practitioner. I specialize in helping to create health and wellness.

So many people these days either have an illness themselves or have a family member that does. Our goal at the Holistic Health Hub is to help people find ways to maintain good health or get back to health if they are struggling with symptoms. Today I want to share some ideas and tips with you. We believe that if we can help and teach people to be healthier the whole community benefits.

I believe that health is more than merely the absence of disease. It is total state of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social well-being. We like to call it Holistic Health – and the Mind, Body, Soul Connection. Wholistic is the philosophy that all parts are interconnected. In holistic medicine, wholistic treatment is the treatment of a person as a whole.

When we look at all of these parts as interconnected, we can then implement holistic thinking, lifestyle, and actions to bring about whole-wellness. Holistic health is known mostly for its use in natural therapies, and the benefits we notice when looking at all physical, emotional, mental and spiritual connections.

Commonly when we think about health, diet and exercise are typically the first things that come to mind. However, good health isn’t just about the physical body. Our mind and body are interconnected and affect each other tremendously. For example, a stressful situation causing negative thoughts can lead to physical pain or illness. It’s important to maintain a healthy balance between your mind, body, and soul by nurturing your whole self, including your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. Living with holistic lifestyle passion & purpose helps achieve optimal wellness; one must apply it towards every possible endeavor. You can apply a wellness approach towards your health, physical and emotional health, healthy eating, physical activities, self-care, self-esteem, belief systems, environment, community, career, and creative activities. Applying wellness in your everyday life will allow you to achieve your full potential and live with that holistic passion and purpose. Plus, you Regain and Retain Your Health and Wellness.

There are many things you can do in your daily life to achieve overall wellness. As you start applying this philosophy to your daily life all those small changes will start to create big health improvements over time. Holistic healing often takes a team approach that addresses all aspects of life and uses a variety of natural healthcare therapies and practices. A balanced approach may include complementary therapies such as naturopathy, holistic consultations, homeopathy, biofeedback therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, health coaching, stress reduction techniques, detox, and many other therapies.

Here are a few simple tips to begin cultivating a holistic mind-body-soul balance.

Opt for natural remedies whenever you can. With the guidance of a holistic health practitioner, supplements, herbs, the right foods, homeopathics and essential oils can be very healing.

Avoid as many toxins and chemical exposures as possible.

Opt for healthy foods as much as you can! Food is what our bodies are built from. Are you building healthy cells from good foods ~ or making cells from processed fast chemical foods?

Change major sources of stress out of your life. This can be hard to change but it will make a huge difference in your overall health. Stress is very hard on the body.

Meditate and pray regularly. You will be amazed at how much this practice will help your health ~ mind, body and soul.

Exercise & move often. We want you to get movement and activity into your daily life. Most people are so sedentary these days it has a huge negative impact on our health, our mind, body and soul. So just move. =) 

Self-care every day. Most of us know many of the things that help us create health and know things we can do to reduce our stress, so start with making one improvement every day. That health habit will build to the next healthy habit.

Small consistent improvements will equal big results over time! Love yourself, and your family, and your community enough to love yourself whole health again.

I hope this encourages you that you can make a difference for your own health, the health of your family and the health of our community. When you feel healthier ~ you work better = everyone benefits.

We look forward to supporting your health journey at the Holistic Health Hub right here in downtown DeWitt. We do health consultations both locally and long-distance by phone. Contact us to see how we can help support you.


Kari Rene, CNHP, CTN, CAHP, EBC – ​Naturopathic Holistic Health Practitioner
Holistic Health Hub & My Vital Force Wellness Center
HolisticHealthHub.biz or MyVitalForce.com

Looking to Live in DeWitt

My name is Jane Mason and I have been with Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors for 25 plus years, servicing both DeWitt and the Quad Cities market, entirely with Ruhl & Ruhl. My company, like my community, stands strong and continually progresses to serve the public.

Due to my long history in Real Estate, I feel confident when I say the market continues to thrive in DeWitt! Properties that were sold last year during the 1st three quarters showed a 3% increase compared from 2018! The average sales price was 22% more than the previous year. In addition, our community continues to exemplify growth in all aspects of Real Estate, including residential, commercial and industrial!

It’s safe to say in the last 5 years we are seeing more young families move to and stay in DeWitt to live, raise their loved ones and provide a greater quality of life for themselves. This is partially due to the homes available in our community but also represents a true testimonial to our school, Central DeWitt CSD, as well as having a community well known for being a SAFE community. Hospital and medical services are also a big draw to retaining and growing our population. On the other end of the spectrum, an increasing demand for ranch style homes that offer “easy” living lifestyles for the more aged clientele. DeWitt has close proximity to the Quad Cities for those that want more social events but still desire the small-town living. It truly is a great example of having the best of both worlds.

DeWitt continues to prove how special it is by the people as well as the companies that chose to put down roots and make this their home each year.

~ Jane Mason, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors

Pathways to Leadership

Leadership, as I tell my 8th grade students in our Middle School Leadership Council, is something that should not be turned off and on. It is a characteristic that tugs at you, guides your decision making, and can have the power to help others in our community, school, family, or even world. Some people are born to lead, and others are uncomfortable in the role but know when the right cause or opportunity presents itself, that it has to be done.

My personal pathway to leadership began with great role models, a faith in Christ, and a strong sense of civic responsibility. Parents who were leaders in their professions and the community, coaches and teachers that gave tirelessly of their time, and leaders in this very community, that inspire us to do more by leading in positive ways every day. Our leadership motto at Central DeWitt Middle School is “We Rise by Lifting Others”. Whether that desire comes from a great mentor, our faith tells us to do so, or we feel civically responsible, in the end it is helping others that motivates us all to do something!!

Leadership, like life, has phases. No matter how many boards and committees we sit on or work organizations we have been involved with, sometimes it just isn’t the time. Life happens, and in different phases of our life, our role as a leader takes back seat to things like mother, or caretaker, or student, or just plain tired and can’t right now. Great leaders know when to follow. Great leaders listen. Great leaders change others but also see the importance of others changing them. Great leaders know when something is not their expertise. Great leaders sometimes are so busy doing laundry and changing diapers that being a part of a committee or organization seems light years away. Leaders doubt their abilities at times, and man do they sometimes get burnt out. It is in times like these that I have been so thankful to be a part of a community that picks each other up, supports each other, and continues to grow because so many people have the desire to share their talents and help others.

We have six great examples of that diverse talent and leadership that were recognized as Leaders Under Forty by the LincolnWay Foundation this fall. All of them and their involvement in our community help remind us of how everyone’s talents and pathways to leadership are different. While I may be able to help organize a beef dinner and coral 120 wild 7th graders every day. Justin Butt, owner of Butt’s Meat, is busy selling the beef, working on preservation and looking to corral “actual” wild animals. Rachel Neilsen, Investment Assistant at Cetera Advisor Networks at DeWitt Bank & Trust, can obviously dance; I just pretend to know how. She knows how to run go carts. I, on the other hand, can drive a mean golf cart! Jon Thiel, owner of Thiel Motors, and I both put out fires, but he has sold cars to people in 17 foreign countries, I work hard just to get 13 year- old’s to be able to identify, heck even name, 17 foreign countries. April Carpenter, the Administrative Assistant at the DeWitt Chamber & Development Company, and I have never even met but apparently, we are the same person. She is hanging out at the UCC church, mowing, working on a summer lunchbox program, and volunteering at the school in Wheatland while I am doing much of the same in DeWitt. Stacie Cronkleton, owner of the Photography Mill, is running for school board and is an award-winning photographer; I am serving on other boards while still trying to figure out how the camera on my phone works! And last but certainly not least my dear friend Sharae Huff, Director or Quality at Community Health Care. Her passion for bringing quality healthcare to all people and dedication to those in our community who need it most is second to none, but just the names of the conferences she attends and classes she is taking make my head spin.

Six different pathways to Leadership, six great examples of how to take your passions and do something with them for the betterment of our community.

It is through organizations like the LincolnWay Community Foundation and countless others in this community that we are reminded of what can be done for others when people give of their time, talent, and resources. Everyone has something to offer, and each of us is just a small piece of the puzzle that when put together makes this area of Iowa such a special place to be.

Jen Froeschle

DeWitt Resident & Community Volunteer

Central DeWitt Middle School Social Studies Teacher

2012 LincolnWay Foundation Leader Under Forty


Partnering with Peanut Butter

My name is Andy Sokolovich, and I serve as the Existing Industry Manager for the Clinton Regional Development Corporation. I have been involved in the creation of the Clinton County Community Student Loan Assistance Program for over a year. In that time, we have fostered a collaborative environment focused on the growth and wellbeing of our county. A strong member of that collaboration has been the DeWitt Chamber & Development Company. Angela, Molly, and April have been supportive from the start and will serve as valued partners in the promotion and expansion of the program. Their involvement has been the linchpin to our continued success, and I am thankful to have such a dedicated and responsible team within Clinton County.

The Clinton County Student Loan Assistance Program launched on August 1st, 2019. The program aims to attract talent to the county through a first-of-its-kind student loan payback initiative.

The idea was sparked after I read an article featured in Crain’s Business highlighting a Chicago-based entrepreneur assisting private companies in the development of a student loan payback incentive. The report stated that “When [student] loan repayment is offered, people are 85% more likely to accept a job.” That statistic was shared by the CEO of Peanut Butter, David Aronson.

With that amount of success, could the same result apply to talent attraction within a county?

I contacted David Aronson and posed the same question over the phone. David had not yet considered applying the tactic to community growth but was willing to partner in investigating the possibilities. Over 12 months, David and I coordinated with Clinton County Auditor, Eric Van Lancker, to design a program built around collaboration and the common goal of growing our county’s tax base. With $1.5 trillion in national student loan debt and 45 million Americans paying toward that debt, the need for assistance was evident.

The conversations which ensued revealed a collaborative desire from other organizations interested in expanding the program.

Our partners now include:

City of DeWitt

City of Clinton

City of Camanche

Central DeWitt School District

Clinton Community School District

Camanche Community School District

The layering of partners allowed us the ability to adjust the program to reduce administrative expenses while providing a more robust and attractive incentive.

The return on investment we will receive far surpasses the financial stake in the program. Taking action to expand our population supports the workforce demands of our county-based employers, encourages new construction and home purchases, increases student enrollment in our schools, and ensures the growth of a healthy economy. The economic multiplier resulting from the attraction of one family is massive!

Plus, we can now leverage the program to recruit our sons and daughters back to the communities that helped raise them. If an individual leaves our county seeking a form of post-secondary education and creates unpaid student loan debt; as a result, they will qualify for the program upon their return.

The development of this program is progressive and outside the box. It’s this type of action that will shine a light on the many benefits associated with calling Clinton County home.

For more information, please visit the Clinton County Student Loan Assistance Program.

Please help us by sharing the program with your friends, family, and peers.

~ Andy Sokolovich, Industry Manager at Clinton Regional Development Corporation

Bringing Health and Wellness to DeWitt

I want to say thank you for such a warm welcome to the community! My Vital Force Wellness Center opened our doors in downtown DeWitt in April and we have had such a good time getting everything up and running.

I am Dr. Kari Rene, a Holistic Naturopath, moved here from Colorado. I have had a vision to have a wellness center that offers several services and products that help people on their wellness journey. My daughter, Emily also moved here from Colorado to finish her Health Coaching and to be the store manager. When we came to Iowa and started looking for a location, we loved the feel of DeWitt and the community right away.

My story began in Natural Health Alternatives back in 2002 when my mother passed away from a massive heart attack when she was only 49 years old. I knew my family history of heart disease was not good. My maternal grandfather had passed at age 37 from a heart attack, my father had a heart attack, and my paternal grandfather had several heart attacks and bypass surgeries.  I quickly realized I wanted to do something different for my health and didn’t want my children to experience losing a parent so young. So, I went back to school and that lead into a passion to encourage and teach others to become healthier too. Health is a journey we all have to start somewhere!

Health and wellness are becoming more and more popular these days. So many people are tired of being sick and tired! As individuals and as a community we want to be healthier and have more vitality. Many people are learning that preventative health care is something they want to learn more about, and that there are more natural approaches to taking care of our health.

At My Vital Force Wellness Center I do consultations and health assessments to help people create a plan for better health. I also love to do consultations for stress management and emotional healing. I love talking about ways that we can Regain and Retain Health.  

Dr. Bonnie Bauer of DeWitt Chiropractic and massage therapist Teresa Martens of The Country LMT learned about my vision of opening the Wellness Center and it was no doubt they wanted to bring their collective knowledge and practices together for the community at the Wellness Center. Together we have numerous therapies and wellness packages available to help people become healthier.

Come by to see the new Wellness Center, ask questions and look around. Everyone here at the Wellness Center is honored to be part of our wonderful community and we look forward to better health for everyone!

Dr. Kari Rene, Holistic Naturopath

Frances Banta Waggoner Library – Growing in Size and Resources!

If you’ve stopped by the library over the last few years and have seen a tall woman typing away at a very disorganized desk behind the circulation counter, that would be me—my name is Jillian Aschliman, and I am your local librarian. I’ll be celebrating my third anniversary of working for the Frances Banta Waggoner Community Library this coming July, and I’ve truly enjoyed the time I’ve spent here in DeWitt over the last few years. In fact, if someone had told me back when I was graduating from my Master’s program that I’d be the director of a library in a great town like DeWitt in just a few years, I wouldn’t have believed it. Because my journey here wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.

After I graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison with my MLIS, I was enthusiastic, armed with new knowledge about the library world, and ready to jump right into my new career field. It didn’t take long to be hit with the cold-hard reality of the library job market. Library jobs were few and far between, even in a place like the Quad Cities where there are libraries almost within a 10-15 mile radius of one another. I worked multiple odd jobs for almost a year before I was able to find a full-time position and I still consider myself very, very lucky. Not all job seekers have the same experience when making the transition to a new career.   

Those who have recently been on an active job search know that it is almost a full-time job in itself. Plus, if you’re in an over-saturated job market like I was back in 2012, a simple misstep on your resume or cover letter can make or break your chances to get your foot in the door for an interview.  Not only are job seekers searching for the right position, but crafting a well-rounded, eye-catching resume and cover letter is time-consuming—and overwhelming at times. Hopefully, a new resource at the library can help local job seekers get an extra boost to improve their application materials and interviewing skills.

Earlier this year, the State Library of Iowa provided each library in the state with a subscription to BrainFuse JobNow, a suite of online resources that provide job seekers with the capability of searching for job openings in the area as well as a wealth of career resources that includes life resume and interviewing skills coaching, personalized resume and cover letter advice, and more. Looking to possibly change careers? Take the eParachute quiz (based on the popular job-hunting series What’s Your Parachute?) to see what career fields are best suited to your skills and interests. Don’t have the time to set up a live appointment with a career coach to go over your resume or cover letter? Simply upload your document in their Resume Lab, and one of the BrainFuse experts will review and return it to you with suggestions in one business day.

In addition to the job seeking features, BrainFuse has free resources for veterans, students, and adult learners:

  • BrainFuse LearnNow: a library of self-study lessons, videos, practice tests and the option to connect with a live tutor.
  • BrainFuse Adult Learning Center: provides academic assistance designed for adult learners including GED practice tests, Microsoft Office Help, skills building for numerous academic topics, and more.
  • BrainFuse VetNow: provides support to veterans and their families in locating eligible benefits, employment transition assistance, and more.

The BrainFuse JobNow and VetNow resources are available to the entire community. Unlike other library database subscriptions, a library card is not required to access any of the site, and can be easily accessed from home. Simply visit the library’s website, scroll to the bottom of the homepage, and click on the BrainFuse JobNow and VetNow logo. Still need help? Stop on by the library—we’d love to help you get started on the right path.

Jillian Aschliman, Frances Banta Waggoner Library Director