About Us

Mission Statement:
Our mission is to provide immediate shelter to homeless single men and families in a safe, clean and caring atmosphere that promotes progress toward ending the cycle of homelessness. 

About Us:
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter (WDES) has served over 10,000 homeless single men and families since opening in 1987. We provide over 9,000 nights of shelter per year, or roughly 20 - 25% of nights of shelter provided in Linn County. Willis Dady Emergency Shelter serves nearly 400 single men and families living or relocating to Cedar Rapids and/or Linn County each year. We provide all services, free of charge to stabilize residents and facilitate progress towards change.

The founders of the shelter named it after a young man, Willis Dady, who jumped in the Des Moines River to save a drowning boy. Both the boy and Willis Dady lost their lives. The Founders were incredibly inspired by his altruistic act, and decided that his name would live on through acts of kindness at Willis Dady Emergency Shelter.

PAST...PRESENT...FUTURE
  • Willis Dady Emergency Shelter began as a day program for homeless men in 1987. The founder, Jim Welborn, knew first hand there was a growing need for homeless services. Jim spent 25 years on the streets struggling with alcohol addiction. He got help, stayed sober, and got into Mount Mercy Colleges School of Social Work. The day program started as his senior project and went on to become an over-night shelter.
  • Willis Dady Emergency Shelter began taking homeless families in 1989 as the community saw a significant increase in the number of families unable to meet basic needs.
  • In 1991, Willis Dady Emergency Shelter purchased its new location at 1247 4th Avenue SE and became a United Way Partner Agency.
  • Willis Dady Emergency Shelter is debt free and currently operates on an annual budget of approximately $250,000
  • In August of this year, Gov. Chet Culver came to Willis Dady to announce the awarding of an I-Jobs grant  of nearly $300,000 to Willis Dady for major improvements.  Renovations are expected to be completed by the summer of 2010.

A Profile of Our 2009 Clients, which included 407 individuals accounting for 8,306 person nights:

  • 43% reported that this was their first time being homeless
  • 58% were Caucasian; African Americans constituted the next largest group (25%)
  • 21% were coming from their own house or apartment
  • 70% stated that unemployement was the primary reason they became homeless
  • 15% of clients were children
  • Nearly half of all clients were between 35 and 42 years old
  • About 1 in 5 were veterans
  • Nearly 1 in 5 were escaping a domestic violence situation
  • 3 in 5 DID NOT struggle with alcohol or drug problems, mental health issues or a physical disability