DMACC Explores Transition of Stewardship of Evelyn K. Davis Center to St. Vincent de Paul Des Moines in 2026

The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Board of Directors has met to consider transitioning the stewardship and the potential sale of the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families building (1171 7th Street, Des Moines) to St. Vincent de Paul Des Moines (SVdP). Project stakeholders will engage the community in conversations about the Center's future before the DMACC Board reconsiders the proposal on October 13, 2025.

Since opening in 2013, the Evelyn K. Davis Center has thrived under DMACC's leadership, with faculty, staff, and partners helping thousands of Central Iowans access job training, job coaching, financial education via the Polk County Financial Empowerment Center, and supports like Opportunity Passport and the Men on the Move clothing closet. This transition is both a celebration of the Center's accomplishments to date and an evolution designed to elevate and expand its impact for years to come.

"This conversation is about building on a strong foundation," said DMACC President and CEO Rob Denson. "We believe a partnership with St. Vincent de Paul Des Moines represents the best of both worlds - aligning the Center with an organization whose mission and expertise match this work,

while allowing DMACC to focus on education. By inviting the community to weigh in, we can ensure the Center's future is guided by those who know and use it best."

Why This Transition Matters:

• Expanded Reach and Resources: Through its nonprofit status, SVdP can tap into new funding streams, grants, and partnerships, strengthening the Center's long-term sustainability and impact.
• Mission Alignment: SVdP's vision aligns seamlessly with the Center's core mission, promising deeper, more integrated service delivery.
• Growing Demand: Since last year, more than 11,000 Central Iowans have sought help at the Center-with more than 1,700 receiving in-depth career coaching. This surge greatly surpasses previous years' volumes, highlighting escalating community need.

Steve Havemann, Chief Executive Officer of St. Vincent de Paul Des Moines, echoed Denson's enthusiasm. "We're honored at the potential to build on the incredible foundation laid by DMACC and its dedicated team," he said. "This can be the next step in growing the reach and resources of the Center, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of opportunity and empowerment in Central Iowa."

DMACC is grateful for support from an extraordinary coalition of community partners, many of whom have stood alongside the Evelyn K. Davis Center since its inception. United Way of Central Iowa, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Polk County, and The Directors Council have all played vital roles, not only through generous funding, but through strategic collaboration and shared vision that have sustained and shaped the Center's impact.

As part of the anticipated transition, SVdP would purchase the Evelyn K. Davis Center building at 1171 7th Street in Des Moines for $1 million, payable over five years. Programming will continue without interruption, with services adapting or expanding as future funding is renewed. What will not change is the Center's mission to provide essential, community-focused resources, its name, or the iconic mural Future by Iowa artist Jill Wells, commissioned by the Community Foundation, that proudly adorns the building.

Both organizations are committed to co-creating this new chapter with the community. To gather input on the future of the Evelyn K. Davis Center, two public forums will be held on Wednesday, September 24 at 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, October 8 at 6:00 p.m. at the Center, 1171 7th Street in Des Moines. All are welcome and no registration is required. To receive updates directly, email [email protected] to join the distribution list.

"This moment marks the beginning of an exciting collaborative journey. By combining DMACC's strong foundation with SVdP's mission-driven expertise, we will work hand-in-hand with the community to shape the future of the Evelyn K. Davis Center," said Havemann.

For more information, contact:

Rob Denson, President and CEO Des Moines Area Community College [email protected]

Steve Havemann, Chief Executive Officer St. Vincent de Paul Des [email protected]