Joppa
Joppa helps homeless people survive, find housing and rebuild their lives.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our mission is to create communities of unconditional love, support, and hope as we work together to prevent and ultimately end homelessness. We collaborate with community partners, help people access existing resources, and mobilize private donations from families, churches, and organizations to fill gaps in homeless services, housing development, and education advocacy. In homeless services, we help people survive, find housing and rebuild their lives. In housing development, we aim to provide transitional housing in “Tiny Home Villages” for people working their way out of homelessness and truly affordable Cottage Home rental units. In education advocacy, we educate people on the root causes of homelessness, why we should care, and what each person can do to help end homelessness.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Homeless Nutrition Program
Every year, Joppa rescues over 100,000 lbs of food from partner grocery stores, which volunteers package and distributed to those in need. In addition, the Cook Team prepares hot meals to be delivered to homeless individuals each week.
Winter Survival Program
Winter Survival Program helps prevent homeless individuals from freezing to death during the brutal winter months. The Heat Team provides heaters and conducts weekly propane deliveries and safety checks. The Tent Team is trained to help set up tents and fortify campsites to be more heat efficient. Joppa also delivers boots, socks, coats, gloves and blankets to those in need.
Outreach Program
Every week, regardless of weather, Joppa volunteers deliver hot meals, water, toilet paper, blankets and other necessities to people living under bridges, in tents and in vehicles. They check in with homeless clients, build relationships and connect them with resources to find housing and employment.
Housing Development Program
As part of our mission to prevent and ultimately end homelessness, Joppa is developing two fundamental housing solutions. 1. A transitional village of Loft Cottages provides a safe place for individuals to live while they gain a source of income and overcome other barriers before moving into a permanent home. 2. Cottage Homes are permanent, truly affordable houses for seniors, veterans, disabled individuals and others living on fixed or part-time incomes, including those who were formerly homeless.
Aftercare Program
The Aftercare Program supports recently housed individuals as they rebuild their lives. The program includes weekly visits, a Circle of Friends and other services to help clients take positive steps in their health, relationships and personal fulfillment.
Iowa Homeless Memorial
Joppa organizes the Iowa Homeless Memorial t the state capitol each year on Dec. 21, the longest night of the year, to remember those who have died homeless, honor them as fellow human beings and prevent future homeless deaths by recommitting ourselves to solutions to end homelessness.
Homeless Christmas Celebration
A special, by-invitation-only event for homeless individuals and families. Attendees enjoy a hot dinner, dessert table, coffee bar, Christmas gifts, essentials from the Free Store, haircuts, massages, music and entertainment, a visit from Santa and more.
Project PJ
Project PJ is an homelessness awareness campaign for schools, businesses and organizations to wear their pajamas to work as a visible reminder that everyone needs a warm, safe place to sleep. Participants are also encouraged to educate themselves about the root causes of homelessness, organize supply drives, donate and get involved to help end homelessness.
Joppa Community Cleanups
Each year, Joppa works with the local homeless community to clean up existing/vacated camps and beautify neighborhoods in and around Des Moines.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
Association of Fundraising Professionals - Member 2017
External reviews

Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of people no longer living in unsafe or substandard housing as a result of the nonprofit's efforts
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Homeless people
Related Program
Outreach Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of homeless participants engaged in housing services
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, Veterans, Unemployed people, People with disabilities, Substance abusers
Related Program
Aftercare Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of clients experiencing homelessness
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, People with disabilities, Substance abusers, Unemployed people, Veterans
Related Program
Outreach Program
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of youth and families who receive planned aftercare services for 3 months post-discharge
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, People with disabilities, Substance abusers, Veterans, Unemployed people
Related Program
Aftercare Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of households that obtain/retain permanent housing for at least 6 months
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, People with disabilities, Substance abusers, Unemployed people, Veterans
Related Program
Outreach Program
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of people within the organization's service area accessing food aid
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities, Substance abusers, Economically disadvantaged people, Veterans, Unemployed people
Related Program
Homeless Nutrition Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of meals served or provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, People with disabilities, Substance abusers, Unemployed people, Veterans
Related Program
Homeless Nutrition Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total pounds of food rescued
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, People with disabilities, Substance abusers, Unemployed people, Veterans
Related Program
Homeless Nutrition Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of aftercare visits to support people recovering from homelessness
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, People with disabilities, Substance abusers, Unemployed people, Veterans
Related Program
Aftercare Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of outreach and resource center visits to support people experiencing homelessness
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, People with disabilities, Unemployed people, Veterans, Substance abusers
Related Program
Outreach Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Total number of USPS mail deliveries to homeless individuals
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, People with disabilities, Substance abusers, Unemployed people, Veterans
Related Program
Outreach Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of referrals to resources offered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Outreach Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our key goals for the next 12 months include:
1. Finish the rezoning process and code approvals to start building the first Village
2. Help 50 more people experiencing homelessness get back into permanent housing
3. Perfect Thriftmart model and prepare to open a second thrift store
Our key goals for the next 3‐5 years include:
1. One transitional Joppa Village is built and fully occupied
3. 300 additional people off the streets via third-party housing
4. Offer one or more Joppa KIDS programs nationwide
5. Two Thriftmart nonprofit thrift stores are supporting our core operating costs
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our strategies include the following:
1. Continue working through the Joppa Village Coalition to finish the rezoning and code approval processes to start building the first Tiny Home Village in Iowa in 2024. Our Des Moines mayor co-chairs this coalition, which includes two Des Moines City Council Members, a Polk County Supervisor, the Des Moines Deputy City Manager and Homeless Policy Administrator, and our Joppa CEO and cofounder.
2. Continue hiring staff and training volunteer teams to utilize our proven processes to help people get off the streets and rebuild their lives. We also opened a Homeless Resource Center in 2021. We have seasoned Aftercare and Circle-of-Friends programs that have enabled Joppa to help more than 550 homeless families and individuals find housing, with over 80% remaining in housing today.
3. Continue working with our team to improve our Thriftmart thrift store model and grow sales and profitability.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our capabilities for meeting our goals include the experience and success of working directly with homeless people for nearly 15 years, financial acumen, and technology capabilities. Joppa has demonstrated critical and creative thinking, personal and social capability, and ethical understanding. We have a deep intercultural understanding of poverty, mental health, addiction, and the other root causes of homelessness and how to help people successfully transition out of homelessness and stay off the streets.
Our staff and trained volunteer teams have proven programs and processes for helping people get off the streets and rebuild their lives. This process starts with our highly effective Outreach programs, where we meet people, build relationships and help them survive. We also have a Homeless Resource Center open throughout the week and a seasoned Aftercare program that continues the connection and support as people rebuild their lives, become self-sufficient, and have new Circle-of-Friends.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Our progress includes the following:
1. We have more than 20 acres under contract, along with the experience, staff, and the right people on the Joppa Village Coalition, as well as the credibility, reputation, and donor base. We have commitments for 15% of the total cost of the project.
2. We recently opened a Homeless Resource Center, and with continued Outreach and Aftercare, we are serving more people than ever.
3. Construction is complete, and we are working with a marketing firm and launch team to ensure our first nonprofit thrift store, Thriftmart, launches successfully and holds its grand opening in late summer or early fall.
We've been working directly with people experiencing homelessness and providing weekly outreach to all the people living under bridges, in tents, shacks, and vehicles for nearly 15 years. We understand this population and how to reach them.
Joppa has helped more than 550 families and individuals find housing; over 80% of these men, women, and children remain in housing today. Joppa has sustained its weekly outreach and aftercare programs for more than 760 consecutive weeks, year-round, regardless of the weather. It now serves an average of 326 people weekly, with a small staff of professionals and 1,862 dedicated volunteers contributing nearly 40,000 hours last year.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Joppa
Board of directorsas of 05/06/2023
Bill Mech
Guide One Insurance
Term: 2021 - 2025
Jacki Stevens
Cofounder & Thriftmart CEO
Jim Hagberg
President & CEO, Blackstone
Lori VanKirk
Community Volunteer
Tom Hromatka
Chairman, WCF Bancorp & WCF Bank
Joe Stevens
Joppa CEO & Cofounder
Bill Mech
Retired, GuideOne Risk Officer
Vernon Delpesce
Retired CEO, YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes