Change Course

09/03/2026

🎓 Celebrating the Elite Class! 💙

The Elite Class graduation ceremony was a powerful celebration of growth, perseverance, and transformation. This video highlights special moments from the event, accompanied by the voice of one of our Elite leaders as she reflects on her experience at Change Course.

Her story represents the courage, hard work, and determination demonstrated by every leader throughout this journey. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished and we cannot wait to see where their next chapter takes them!

Congratulations, Elite Class! You came ready to grow, and you leave prepared to lead.

Help us continue creating life changing opportunities for future leaders! Join us on September 11 at NorthPoint Church in Johnston, Iowa, for a special benefit concert featuring American Idol finalist Clark Beckham.

Get your tickets through the link in our bio!

There is HOPE in this city!

08/26/2026

Our CEO, Joseph Johnson, recently joined the Iowa Business Podcast for a conversation about Iowa’s talent shortage and the capable people employers may be overlooking.

Joseph talks about hiring people with criminal records, individuals transitioning off government assistance, and others who may not fit a traditional hiring profile. He also shares what employers often get wrong, why many of the fears surrounding these hires are unfounded, and what we’ve learned about helping people succeed once they’re given an opportunity.

As someone who rebuilt his own life after incarceration and went on to become a successful business leader, Joseph brings both personal experience and practical insight to this conversation.

If you care about workforce development, second chances, or building stronger teams, this is worth a listen.

Find it on all podcast platforms or watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/tP6dJH6mtTM?si=aE4aaSSVQlo5fcqu

There is HOPE in this city!

One common complaint from recruiters, HR professionals, and skilled...

08/25/2026

🌺 Luau Alumni Night Panel — Part 1 🌺

Our final Community Gathering with the Elite Class was filled with great food, fun games, laughter, and meaningful connections! As our leaders prepare to graduate next Tuesday, September 1st, this special evening gave us an opportunity to celebrate how far they have come and the community supporting them along the way.

We were also honored to welcome leaders from previous Change Course classes who returned to share their experiences during and after the program, along with what continues to keep them moving forward on the right path.

Today’s video highlights the dinner, games, and fellowship. Stay tuned for Part 2, featuring the powerful Alumni Night Panel!

You can help make more moments like these possible! Join us on September 11 at NorthPoint Church in Johnston, Iowa, for a special benefit concert featuring American Idol finalist Clark Beckham.

There is HOPE in this city!

08/12/2026

Our leaders practiced answering challenging questions, building confidence, and presenting their best selves. Every interview brought them one step closer to new opportunities and career success!

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteer interviewers: Kelli Pace, Dave Kester, Darwin Rouw, Ivan Guerra, Jordan Atterberry, Payten Page, Yvonne Wailes, Mark Young, Chris Miller, Charles Causey, Chris Barfels, Dave Schwartz, Nicole Keuper, and Jean Pierre. Thank you for generously sharing your time, encouragement, experience, and valuable feedback with our leaders. Your support makes a meaningful difference!

Want to help create more opportunities like these? On September 11, American Idol finalist Clark Beckham is bringing his unmistakable voice and musicianship to Central Iowa for a special concert benefiting Change Course. 🎶

Join us for an unforgettable evening and help empower leaders on their journeys toward lasting change!

There is HOPE in this city!

08/10/2026

Introducing Phoenix, our newest class of Change Course leaders!

Here’s a behind the scenes look at Professional Headshot Day, where our leaders stepped in front of the camera with confidence, professionalism, and purpose.

A special thank you to Man on the Move and Dress for Success for helping make Professional Headshot Day possible. Your support helped our leaders look and feel their best!

Welcome, Phoenix! We can’t wait to see how high you rise.

There is HOPE in this city!

08/04/2026

American Idol Clark Beckham is coming to Des Moines for an unforgettable night of live music supporting Change Course!

Join us Friday, September 11, at NorthPoint Church in Johnston and experience the voice, soul, and musicianship that made Clark a national favorite.

Tickets are $15 each or $20 for two.

Bring someone with you and help more people discover the work of Change Course.

Get tickets NOW at https://clarkbeckham.eventbrite.com

There is HOPE in this city!

08/03/2026

This is the story of Emma, a participant currently enrolled in The Elites 2026 class, in her own words:

My story began with a fight. I was born weighing just two pounds and spent my first three months in the NICU, with little human contact as doctors worked to keep me alive. As I grew older, I experienced abuse, trauma, and challenges no child should have to endure. Those experiences led me through treatment facilities, detention, psychiatric hospitals, and eventually addiction. There was a time when I lost all hope, believed my life had no purpose, and even tried to end it all.

But my story did not end there.

Recovery gave me a second chance. I chose to fight for myself, for my children, and for the future I never believed I deserved. Today, I am more than two years clean and sober, pursuing a career in healthcare through Change Course, and building a life filled with hope, purpose, and resilience.

Every obstacle I have faced has become part of my testimony. If my journey proves anything, it is that your past does not define your future. No matter where you come from or how many times you have fallen, healing is possible, hope is real, and it is never too late to rewrite your story.

There is HOPE in this city!

04/30/2026

5 more Allies needed!

Our Kappa 2026 May Class is coming together, and we’re looking for five more volunteers to walk alongside Change Course participants in their new lives through meaningful relationships.

The commitment is simple:

• Mondays from 6–8 PM
• One Saturday retreat
• A heart for people and a willingness to be present

Our Allies do more than help. They show up, build trust, and love their neighbors well.
Help us fill these final spots this week.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/BYY1wDNf9LZws69T8

There is HOPE in this city!