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
Tamsin Webb
Development & PR Director
Kellie Johnson
Child Development Center Director
Melanie Wright
Administrative Assistant
Missy Reams
Volunteer & Community Outreach Manager
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Kelsie Pinegar
New Directions Shelter Program Manager
Sergio Hernandez
The Home Connection Program Manager
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
