Catholic Charities breaks ground on youth addition

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
Catholic Charities broke ground Oct. 28 at their Sioux City office for a 7,200-square-foot addition dedicated to specialized youth mental health services. The addition, Angeline’s Wing, is named in honor of Angeline Thom of Ashton whose generous estate bequest helped launch the project.
 
In addition to Thom, Catholic Charities shared that the project is also funded by a $1 million Missouri River Historical Development (MHRD) Economic Development Match Grant and numerous other benefactors.
 
Ceremony attendees included Bishop Walker Nickless, Catholic Charities staff and board members, MHRD board members, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, community members, Iowa state Representative J.D. Scholten and representatives from U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s office and U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra’s office. Two of Thom’s nieces were on hand for the ceremony.
 
“I am so excited to be standing out here today on what will soon become Angeline’s Wing for Children and Families,” Amy Bloch, Catholic Charities executive director addressed the crowd. “Without this very diverse group of people, we wouldn’t be standing here today.”

Bloch shared that youth mental health care needs are increasing, leading to the need for a children and families addition at Catholic Charities.

Amy Bloch, Catholic Charities executive director

“We know that one in six children struggle with mental health issues,” she said. “By having a program like this in this part of town we hope that children can feel safe in a welcoming environment. Families can feel welcomed and be confident that the people here understand the needs and that this agency understands the needs of their children.” 
Thom had hoped to “make a difference” with her generous bequest, Bloch pointed out. Her gift, along with the MHRD grant and donor gifts will positively affect families and the community.
 
“What I know is that in years to come, we will see (the impact). We will see the difference in our kids and in our schools and in our families,” the executive director said.
 
Sarah Kleber, MHRD board president, echoed Bloch’s vision that the addition focused on youth mental health will benefit the community as a whole, including economic development.
 
“It’s the results for those families. It’s economic development for parents who can work more because they aren’t taking off to take care of their kids that are in distress, or having to go to find a location for them to have services a great distance from their family. It’s helping the economic development of those individuals that are served,” Kleber said, noting the children receiving mental health care will be prepared to become better workers. “They’re better able to function and promote their own economic development as an individual and that’s so incredibly rewarding for us.”
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Bishop Nickless offered encouragement for the program and blessed the ground where Angeline’s Wing will be built. The bishop reminded the supporters that “Jesus loved children and our presence here is a sign that we do, too.”
 
 “’Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build,’” the bishop recited from Psalm 127. “This is especially true as we break ground today for Angeline’s Wing for children and families, which will be a place of hope for our youth.”
 
He encouraged the crowd to pray for God’s assistance through the completion of construction “and that his protection will keep those who work on it safe from injury.”
 
“It’s a great day for the Diocese of Sioux City. It’s a great day for our community,” Bishop Nickless said. “The Catholic Church is very proud to be associated with Angeline’s Wing. God bless all our efforts.”
 The project
Angeline’s Wing “will be a welcoming and supportive environment for youth and families,” Catholic Charities included in a press release.
 

• New spaces in the wing will include:
• A welcoming entrance and expanded waiting area
• Offices for specialized youth mental health therapists
• A dedicated psychiatrist suite
• Therapy rooms designed for age-appropriate play, youth and art therapy
• A parent-child interactive therapy room
• Group therapy spaces for family and peer support

 Construction will begin Nov. 4 when contractors begin earthwork on the property, Bloch said.
 
“Our goal is to have this new addition done by the end of June, beginning of July next year. Then we’re going to be doing some remodeling to our current building, which is about 30 years old,” the executive director said. “This time next year, our hope is that we’re having a grand opening and letting you walk around and see this new building.”