Affording a place to call home

friday, February 20

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Waveland Hall, 4126 Ingersoll Ave, DES MOINES

in-person and online options

DEIDRE DeJEAR
President and CEO, Oakridge Neighborhood

Affordable housing is a critical issue in the greater Des Moines area and across Iowa. Many low-income families spend most of their income on housing and are often one crisis away from becoming homeless. Deidre DeJear, President and CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood, will join us to talk about the need for affordable housing in the greater Des Moines area and also all the good work that is happening in the Oakridge Neighborhood.

There are three ways to attend Crossroads. Registration is required for all three:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Four bag lunch sandwich options are available: turkey, roast beef, ham salad, and vegetarian; brown bag lunches are $15 each. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, February 18. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.
• Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but you must RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube by clicking here. This online presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER | Deidre DeJear is a small business owner and voting rights advocate who is driven by her passion to create equitable, inclusive, and accessible opportunities for all. She started her business in 2008 during her senior year at Drake, with a mission of helping other businesses grow and thrive. For over 15 years, she has helped over 1,000 small businesses and nonprofits thrive in Iowa.

In 2018, Deidre ran as the Democratic Nominee for Iowa Secretary of State, making her the first African American in Iowa to be nominated by a major political party. In 2022, as the Democratic Nominee for Iowa Governor, Deidre traversed the state, advocating for high quality public education, access to mental healthcare, and a countless number of issues that matter to voters across Iowa.

Deidre founded Vision Leads and co-founded Back 2 School Iowa and LadyLike, is a member of the Des Moines Chapter of the Links, Inc., and sits on multiple boards across central Iowa. In October 2024, she began serving as President & CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood. Deidre lives in Des Moines with her husband, Marvin, and her dog, Macy.

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‍CROSSROADS is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Des Moines.