BUILDERS OF HOPE
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About.

Unconditional positive regard 
For a person to "grow", they need an environment that provides them with genuineness (openness and self-disclosure), acceptance (being seen with unconditional positive regard), and empathy (being listened to and understood).  Without these, relationships and healthy personalities will not develop as they should, much like a tree will not grow without sunlight and water."  -Carl Rogers, 1959

Founded in 2006

Builders of Hope was founded in 2006 as a Supported Community Living  Program and Mental Health Care Provider. 

Builders of Hope was inspired from the foundation of the inner innate desire in to seek, discover, and embody balance, well-being and wellness.  To gravitate towards and nurture the whole person; physical, mental, emotional, and purposeful self.  

While cultivating the whole person towards optimal health and balance; achieving a foundation in stability and personal sustainability, self acceptance, and the tools for self empowerment and development.  

Builders of Hope has been built on a heart centered family service oriented organization.  We are a collective team of between 15 and 20 employees who are invested in the purpose and passion of serving others and making a positive difference in people's lives, and in the world.   


Our Dedication

Builders of Hope is dedicated to providing recognizable  transformational services to each unique client and the whole community.  ​

​Our Team members are carefully selected based upon their commitment to the Builders of Hope philosophy and mission, and their own individual creativity and vision that they can positively share within the Builders of Hope community. 

Upon Choosing Builders of Hope as your Mental Health Provider, you will discover a unique and compassionate organization with professional staff.  Together we will develop an individualized program, meaning to you, that address your physical, mental, and emotional needs.  Time is carefully spend building a sense of trust and getting to know you.  Through Trust, compassion, education, creativity, and awareness, we co-create an environment that allows for a positive experience and the necessary tools to succeed with your life's vision for yourself.  

Meet Some of Our Team

We Care To Serve YOU!

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Heather Weber
Chief Visionary Officer

 Heather Weber discovered her desire to work with others in developing and recognizing their strengths, abilities, and quality for life after pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1997. During this time and thereafter, Heather worked at several community social service agencies that allowed her many years of experience in working with multiple populations of individuals with varying age ranges from teenagers to late adulthood that were challenged with various mental health diagnosis, conditions, and disabilities. This passion led Heather to embark upon the path of the healing and integrative arts field over the past decades, since graduating from East-wind Healing and Massage Therapy School of Iowa City, Iowa in 2000.
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Since, Heather has shared in the gift of co-founding Builders of Hope in 2006, with sharing in a vision to combine years of experience in the social service field, with the development of a supportive community living organization that approached life and the individual from a Holistic perspective; addressing the “whole person.” It was at this time that Builders of Hope was born. Heather has a passion for working with the mind, body, & heart to assist others on their personal path to wellness and well-being. A Mother of four children, Heather has a deep respect for the birthing process, and giving birth to life in many forms. Heather has hope that through Builders of Hope, many individuals will find a caring community, an opportunity to embark upon a path to wellness, stability and well-being, and embrace purpose in their lives.



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Jerry Springer
Director of Program Operations

Jerry began his journey in the mental health field with Systems Unlimited in Iowa City, IA while attending school at the University of Iowa. In 2005, after obtaining a degree in Leisure Studies with an Emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation, Jerry discovered his passion for working with people with chronic mental health conditions with Life Skills in Iowa City, IA. Jerry provided Supported Community Living Services to people in their homes.
In 2008, Jerry began working for a Residential Care Facility called Chatham Oaks that works with adults with Mental Health conditions and he facilitated the processes to gain the necessary skills to move out into the community to a lower level of care.

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The experience Jerry obtained at Chatham Oaks for almost four years provided the appreciation for how far someone can come from a psychiatric hospitalization to living independently in their home with Builders of Hope programming and support. Jerry enjoys the passion that people have for helping people with mental conditions and is excited to continue his journey with Builders of Hope.



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Florence Ejiwale BBA, LSBW, QPRP
​​Direct Care Wellness Counselor III

 Before joining Builders of Hope, Florence served as the Executive Director of Social Outreach Services in Iowa City from 2012-2019. Florence has worked in the human services field for over 30 years, in a variety of jobs and many differing roles with varied populations.  Florence also was a grade school teacher and an instructor of Instructional Program at the State of Iowa Medical Classification Facility at Oakdale. Florence provided instruction in the following areas: Marriage and Parenting, Anger Management, Communication, and Social skills. Florence is an Evaluation Consultant.
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Florence has served on a number of boards including The Arc of Southeast Iowa Children-at-Home Program Board Member; Iowa City Human Rights Commission; Chair, Housing Advisory Committee, Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship; Board of Trustees, Greater Iowa City Housing Fellowship; Advisory Board member, Dispersed Heterogeneous Placement Project in obtaining employment for persons with disabilities, in collaboration with the University of Iowa, Options of Linn County and The Arc of Southeast Iowa; and Johnson County Supported Employment Agencies Collaborative project of Job Developers to name a few.

Florence is excited to be part of the Builders of Hope team, and to help individuals work towards accomplishing their personal goals. "Together Everyone Achieves More".




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Jenny McCaslin 
Direct Care Wellness Counselor III
I went to college at the University of Northern Iowa and in 2005 received a Bachelors Degree in Social Work. I choose social work because I have always had a desire in helping people in need. While at college, I did an internship at a crisis agency called East Side Ministerial Alliance. I was an Outreach Worker that assisted individuals that had  "fallen through the cracks." It was a rewarding job training and I learned so much from that 1st experience in the field. After I graduated college, I worked at Systems Unlimited for five years.
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I assisted 3 individuals with physical disabilities build their independent skills and achieve their life goals. It was a joy seeing the progress each individual made over the years. After five years, I was ready to move on and further my work career. In 2011, I began my journey with Builders of Hope. I am now a Wellness Counselor lll. I have gotten so much gratitude empowering individuals with mental illness achieve their goals and dreams.



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Nathan Fleming
​Direct Care Wellness Counselor I
 
​I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Physiology before graduating from Iowa State University in 2014 with a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Physical Education. After graduate school, I moved to Valencia, Spain for 4 months, where I taught English and pursued competitive soccer. Upon my return to Iowa City, I began working with individuals with intellectual disabilities at REM. From there, I went on to work as a Youth Counselor at the Four Oaks Iowa City Youth Shelter.
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I have followed a winding path, but I have always followed my passion, which has led me to working as a Wellness Counselor at Builders of Hope. I love building relationships and supporting people with their mental health. Having conversations, processing feelings, and solving problems are crucial parts of counseling, but I never forget to support clients with doing what makes them happy. Disc golfing, walking in the park, playing pool, going fishing! It is vital to build a repertoire of coping tools…and practice them often! Everyone has their own ingredients for wellness. However, mental health is the foundation for a happy and fulfilling life; there is no substitute for positive mental health.



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​Phet Sadakhom
Direct Care Wellness Counselor III
I came here from Laos, became US citizen in the 90’s then graduated from University Of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  I worked with Juvenile Probation for 12 years. Prior to Builders of Hope in 2019, I worked with SOS Social Services in Iowa City and worked there with people with mental health conditions.  


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Working Together
​&
Collaboration for Growth 
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GENERATING AWARENESS
​FOCUS & STABILITY
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CONNECTION
SOCIAL INTEGRATION

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COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT
​ASSISTANCE

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GROWTH MINDSET
"Like a flower that will grow to its full potential if the conditions are right, but which is constrained by its environment, so people will flourish and reach their potential if their environment is good enough.  However, unlike a flower, the potential of the individual human is unique, and we are meant to develop in different ways according to our personality"  -Carl Rogers
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  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • OUR SERVICES
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • CONTACT
  • CAREERS