The Beacon Des Moines

09/01/2026

Our cakes made the pages of dsm Magazine

The Dish section of the September/October issue features photographs of five cakes donated to last year's Cake Gala, shot by Duane Tinkey a few hours before doors opened. Raspberry lemonade. Cookies and cream. Sugar seashells made by hand.

Every one of them started with a simple tradition. Each woman at The Beacon gets a homemade cake on her birthday, in the flavor she chooses. For some, it is the first one anyone has made for her in years.

Cake Gala 2026 is November 6 at Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel. Tickets are available now.

Tickets: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/cakegala2026/

See the cakes: https://dsmmagazine.com/2026/08/25/edible-artwork/

The cake above came from Jenny’s Cakes & Bakes in West Des Moines. It was inspired by raspberry lemonade, with layers of lemon cake and raspberry filling, topped with vanilla and raspberry butt…

08/29/2026

Hair care is not a small thing.

Walking into a job interview, a court date, or a visit with your kids while feeling like yourself matters. For the Black women and other women of color at The Beacon, that means products made specifically for their hair, and our shelves run short on those faster than anything else.

We keep an Amazon wish list with the specific items our residents have asked for. Anything ordered from it ships straight to us and goes right onto the shelf.

https://a.co/0gKGLJi0

Thank you for paying attention to the details that help a woman feel like herself.

08/28/2026

dsm Magazine spent time inside The Beacon for their September/October issue, and writer Abbey Tauchen captured what this place actually feels like. Coffee in the morning. A game of spades in the living room. Kids in the house. A homemade birthday cake sitting on the counter.

The story is set at Sherman Hill, and it captures something true across both of our campuses. Sixty six women live at The Beacon right now, doing some of the hardest work there is, in community with each other, with the structure and support to build a life they can sustain on their own.

Thank you to dsm for telling this story with care, and to the women who opened their home to a writer and a photographer.

Read it here:

An injured moth showed up at The Beacon while several residents were tending the garden. They set down their tools and gathered around to help. Writer: Abbey Tauchen Photographer: Annick Sjobakken …

08/27/2026

Last month, East Village Spa spent time with the women of The Beacon sharing skincare tips, encouragement, and a little time focused simply on caring for themselves. And then they followed it up by making sure our women had products to continue that care on their own.

For women working hard to rebuild their lives, moments that help them feel confident, cared for, and good in their own skin matter more than you might think.

We are so grateful for this kindness and for a community that continues to show our women they are worth investing in.
🌸

08/25/2026

Cake Gala season has officially begun. 🌸
Last year, more than 400 people filled the room and we sold out. On November 6, we get to do it again.
Here is why we cake. Every woman at The Beacon gets a birthday cake, made by a volunteer, just for her. For a lot of them, it is the first one in years. That is where this whole night came from.
One evening. A community that shows up for these women. A whole lot of cake. And a real chance to shape what comes next.
Every ticket, every bid, and every dollar raised helps women build recovery, stability, employment, safe housing, and lasting independence.
This year we are working toward something bigger. The Beacon is expanding by 32 more beds in 2027.
Come celebrate with us. Eat some very good cake. Bid on your favorite. Help us make room for 32 more women.
Cake Gala 2026
Friday, November 6, 6:00 PM
Prairie Meadows, Altoona
Tickets are on sale now. We sold out last year, so grab yours early.
https://secure.qgiv.com/event/cakegala2026/
This is why we cake. 🌸

08/23/2026

There’s something special about gathering around a table.

Earlier this week, Bob Stewart and his crew returned to The Beacon Sherman Hill with another wonderful dinner, generously provided with support from Bravo! Cucina Italiana and Hy-Vee.

Bob told us afterward, “The conversation around the table last evening was wonderful.”

And that’s exactly why these meals matter. They provide more than dinner. They create space for conversation, connection, laughter, and community while women are doing the hard work of rebuilding their lives.

Thank you, Bob, Bravo Italian Kitchen, and Hy-Vee for continuing to show up for the women of The Beacon!

Want to provide a meal? Gather your family, friends, coworkers, or community group and sign up here:

[email protected]/?ismsaljsauthenabled" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://outlook.office.com/book/[email protected]/?ismsaljsauthenabled

08/22/2026

🌸 SHOP WITH PURPOSE THIS WEEKEND!

A huge thank you to our wonderful Friend of The Beacon, Jill Trobaugh, for choosing to support our women through a Pampered Chef fundraiser!

Jill has opened this fundraiser to her Pampered Chef community, and she is also hosting an in person Open House tomorrow, Saturday, August 22, in Johnston.

Every purchase helps support the women we walk alongside every day as they work toward recovery, stability, independence, and a future they can sustain on their own.

You can support the fundraiser from anywhere by shopping here: https://www.pamperedchef.com/party/thebeacondsm

Thank you, Jill, for being such a wonderful Friend of The Beacon and finding another way to bring your community alongside our women. We are so grateful for you! 🩷

08/21/2026

🌸 We need a washing machine!

One of our washing machines at The Beacon broke, which leaves 34 women sharing just ONE working washing machine.

As you can imagine, that is a lot of laundry for one machine!

We are hoping someone in our community may be able to help us with a working electric washing machine in good condition.

We are also running low on laundry detergent, which is always a big need in a house with 34 women.

Laundry is an ordinary part of life, but that’s also why it matters at The Beacon. Women are building routines, caring for their belongings and their shared home, and practicing the everyday skills that come with living independently.

🌸 Have a working electric washer to donate?
Please email [email protected] so we can coordinate with you.

🌸 Want to help with laundry detergent?
You can send it directly to The Beacon through our Amazon Wish List:
https://a.co/0gKGLJi0

Thank you for helping us keep things running while our women keep moving forward. 🌸