About Us
Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill - both sharing roots with the United Methodist Church as well as being United Way of Central Iowa pattern agencies - traditionally worked in parallel to provide different programs with the similar goal of helping children and families in need.
In July 2023, Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill officially merged into Families Forward, an organization where the original four programs - Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter, and The Home Connection - work together to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​
Meet The Team

Tim Shanahan
Executive Director
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Tamsin Webb
Development & PR Director
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Ayanna Oakley
Child Development Center Director

Sergio Hernandez
The Home Connection Program Manager
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Missy Reams
Volunteer & Community Outreach Manager
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Kelsie Pinegar
New Directions Shelter Program Manager
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Melanie Wright
Administrative Assistant
Board Of Directors
Brian Hughes, President
Jill Kempkes, Vice President
Martha Ward, Secretary
Nick Roby, Treasurer
Juanita Gallegos
Gina Graham
Julie Kellner
Scott Paulson
Ernest Phillips
Kevin Pothoven
Sara Schuler
Sue Smith
Phyllis Tinker
Dee Ann Wilson
Rhonda Alessio