Donors provide playground upgrade for Rosecrance Jackson Women’s Center in Iowa

The crisp fall air filled with children’s joyous laughter as they climbed on Rosecrance Jackson Centers’ playground. Nearby, mothers watched intently, knowing that the equipment was safer thanks to the generosity of the Siouxland community.

Fresh rubber mulch, a border, and edging, installed last fall, provides an extra measure of comfort for activities at the Women’s Center. Throughout 2022, contributions from the Marilyn Christensen Foundation, Siouxland Big Give, and Rosecrance’s annual holiday appeal made it possible.

“Community support means everything to us. It’s energizing for the staff and clients, and it’s a way that donors can be part of our mission,” said Lee Gill, Rosecrance Jackson Centers Director of Development. “When more people are involved in what we do, there is a sense of pride and accomplishment knowing that they helped make Siouxland a better place.”

The improvements made an immediate impact for one of the nation’s few behavioral health programs designed to keep families together through early recovery. Women’s Center Unit Coordinator Bri Steffe noted that the upgrade meant one less worry for women who may be watching their children with an extra-protective eye.

“Women in recovery often are extremely sensitive to their kids’ wellbeing because they may not have been as attentive in the past,” Steffe said. “Resources such as the playground help make the program a more nurturing place, remove worry, and enable the entire program be more focused on the recovery journey that involves children and families.”