Christian Opportunity Center

10/14/2026

We're proud to celebrate one of our own, Nicole, who was recently featured in the Iowa DD Council's DSP Spotlight.

For seven years, Nicole has brought compassion, organization, and a caring heart to those she supports at COC. Her dedication provides comfort to families and helps create a warm, supportive home environment each day.

Congratulations, Nicole, and thank you for all you do!

DSP SPOTLIGHT: Nicole Avon ✨

🔸A message from her nominator 🔸

Nicole has been a treasured DSP at our Christian Opportunity Center Clive Home for seven years! She is caring, kind, organized, and always smiling.

Nicole cares for the clients as if they’re family. Our daughter Courtney loves how she shows compassion, can be funny, and makes a hot breakfast before leaving in the morning. We love how she communicates with guardians if any information needs to be relayed.

When she is working at our home, we know everything will run smoothly, and that provides a lot of peace to us. She organizes the medications, helps with grocery orders, cleans, and always shows patience.

Great work, Nicole! 😀
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Graphic titled “DSP Spotlight – Nicole Avon” from the Iowa DD Council. The design features warm orange, tan, and navy color blocks with white and navy text. A photo shows Nicole Avon smiling, wearing a black shirt, head wrap, and hoop earrings. Text on the image reads: “Nicole cares for the clients as if they’re family.” and “When Nicole is working at our home, we know everything will run smoothly.” The Iowa DD Council logo appears at the top with the tagline “Preparation, Participation, Power.”

10/07/2026

🎵The Official COC Run Walk Roll 5K Fun Run featuring the NDSS 1-Mile Buddy Walk is here!

To help create the soundtrack for this year's Run Walk Roll, we asked people we support and staff to share their favorite songs. Now we'd love to hear from you!

What family-friendly song would you like to hear on race day? Drop your suggestion in the comments, and we may add it to the playlist.

Let's build a playlist that reflects the entire COC community and keeps the energy going all day long. You just might hear your song playing on October 17!

There's still time to register for Run Walk Roll happening on October 17th at Banner Lakes at Summerset Park outside of Indianola! Registration information can be found in the comments.

💙 We can't wait to see you there!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6g2SJU2KdpgY3YuSfhHiHP?si=dzvYU4OqQ_6R_kZkT-HjwQ

Playlist · Christian Opportunity Center · 18 items

10/02/2026

📷 Life Skills Zoo Photo Contest 🦓🦒

Today, our Life Skills program visited the Blank Park Zoo, and the people we support captured some incredible moments through their own lenses.

Now we'd love your help! View the four photos and vote for your favorite using the emoji assigned to each photo in the comments:

❤️ Photo 1-fish
👍 Photo 2-penguin
😮 Photo 3- monkey
🎉 Photo 4-snake

Every vote counts! Which photo gets your vote?

09/24/2026

At COC, our staff do more than provide support.

They celebrate milestones. They notice strengths. They encourage goals. They show up day after day and help people feel valued, capable, and important.

And something amazing happens in return.

People get excited when they walk through the door. They share their successes. They trust them. They know someone believes in them.

Let's be honest, though. Not every day is easy.

There are challenging moments. There are tough conversations. There are days that require patience, flexibility, and teamwork.

But even on those days, the relationships matter.

If you're looking for meaningful work where you can make a real difference while being part of something bigger, we'd love to meet you.

Apply today at https://christianopportunity.org/employment/

09/15/2026

We're excited to be part of the Pella Community Foundation's Non-Profit Showcase tonight!

📍 Pella Opera House
🕓 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Come meet local nonprofits, learn about the impact they're making, and discover ways to get involved. We hope to see you there!

Volunteering on your radar? Join us TODAY for the Non-Profit Showcase and get plugged in!

🗓️ Tuesday, September 15, 4:30-6:30 PM
📍 Pella Opera House

09/14/2026

This week, we're celebrating the people behind so many meaningful moments: our Direct Support Professionals (DSP).

Our DSPs encourage independence, help create new opportunities, celebrate accomplishments, and support people in reaching their goals. They bring patience, creativity, compassion, and plenty of fun to everything they do each day.

To all of our DSPs: thank you for showing up, believing in the people we support, and making a difference in ways both big and small. Your dedication helps people live fuller, more connected lives, and we are so grateful for all that you do.

💙 Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week! 💙

09/12/2026

🏈Introducing the 2026 COC CY-Hawk Starting Lineup! 🏈

At COC, we know game day is about more than football. It's about fun, friendly rivalry, and team spirit!

To celebrate this year's CY-Hawk game, staff helped choose some of our biggest Hawkeye and Cyclone fans among our staff and the people we support. These superfans proudly wear their colors, share their team pride, and help make game day a little more exciting around COC.

Check out this year's starting lineup and help us cheer them on!

👇 Now we want to hear from you! Who are you cheering for this weekend? 💛 Hawkeyes ❤️ Cyclones

Drop your prediction in the comments and let us know who takes home bragging rights this year!

09/11/2026

For Becky Zylstra, the best part of working at COC has always been the people we support.

After 25 years, it's the simple moments that have left the biggest impact. A smile, a joke, or a shared laugh can brighten even the toughest day and serve as a reminder of why this work is so meaningful.

The relationships built over the years have brought countless moments of joy, and we're grateful for the compassion and dedication Becky has shared with the people we support and the COC family.

Please join us in congratulating Becky on an incredible 25 years of service!