Hawarden Community Foundation Supports Career and College Readiness

ORANGE CITY, IOWA (July 14, 2020) — The Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the Hawarden Community Foundation to provide support to students and educators through the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant will support virtual and in-person seminars and advising as schools prepare to return after the pandemic caused an abrupt end to the 2019-2020 academic year in March 2020.

The mission of the Hawarden Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life, promote unity, and develop community pride now and in the future by partnering with the Hawarden community to identify and prioritize community needs, attract and distribute funds, support volunteerism, and challenge personal involvement and commitment.

The Hawarden Community Initiative will work to bridge gaps in career and college readiness planning caused by school closures and bring focus toward the importance of career exploration and planning in high school, including exploration of apprenticeships, career and technical education opportunities, and college during the Fall 2020 semester.

The project will bring college planning and financial aid information and resources to the students and families of West Sioux High School to inform its students and parents of the steps required to achieve their educational goals, as well as specialized events to assist seniors with FAFSA form completion.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty for in-person events, the grant programming will be transitioned to virtual when needed to ensure students are able to continue the important steps in planning for life after high school. With services provided through ICAN, the initiative hopes to serve approximately 700  individuals including: students, parents, and educators through a partnership with West Sioux High School.

“There is a lot of focus on expanding education and training beyond high school to meet the needs of today’s economy. A large part of gaining education and training after high school is having the ability to pay for that credential or degree. ICAN programs are unique in the respect that they are brought into individual communities and provide students with face-to-face assistance with the complex and often-times overwhelming financial aid process in the communities in which they reside,” explained Rob Miller, ICAN executive director. “This grant enables that interaction to happen without requiring families to travel for professional advice. For some families traveling for assistance isn’t possible and the community foundation grant allows ICAN to continue serving these families where they live.”

Even amidst a pandemic, this program will strive to empower students with the understanding that higher education is accessible to everyone. The Hawarden Community Initiative is part of a wider effort by ICAN to reach every middle- and high school and every student in Iowa to better prepare students for college and the workforce. According to Complete College America, more than 60 percent of Iowa jobs currently require a degree or credential beyond high school.

ICAN, a nonprofit organization providing career and college readiness planning to students and parents in Iowa, has been educating and empowering Iowa’s future workforce since

1998.

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About ICAN

The Iowa College Access Network is a nonprofit, educational organization. ICAN is the College Access Network for Iowa, and a member of the National College Access

Network (NCAN). ICAN has 10 locations in Ankeny, Cedar Rapids/Hiawatha, Coralville, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Orange City, Sioux City and Waterloo, which provide information and support to students and their families as they plan their postsecondary education and apply for financial aid. All ICAN programs and services are provided without charge. For more information about ICAN, call (877) 272-4692 or visit www.ICANsucceed.org

About the Hawarden Community Foundation

The Hawarden Community Foundation provides a simple, powerful and highly personal approach to giving. A local Community Foundation creates an opportunity for donors to ‘target their charitable giving at home’ and make a lasting difference in their community. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference. You can have a lasting impact on the quality of life in Hawarden, right here, right now, and for years to come. The Community Foundation serves as a vehicle to carry out the charitable objectives of donors and offers distinct advantages. You may contribute to the unrestricted Community Fund or establish a separate component fund bearing your name or a name of your choosing. All grants will be made in the name of the fund you establish.