Our History

More than 50 years of Neighborhood Centers.

Created in celebration of our 50th anniversary, this historical poster series traces Neighborhood Centers from our beginnings in a three-bedroom apartment to the organization we are today. Explore the people, places, programs, and moments that have shaped our work alongside the community.

Explore the Timeline

Select a chapter below to move through our history.

1973 1975 1976 1980 1985 1989 1990 1993 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

1973 archival photo Replace with Mark IV / early Neighborhood Center photo

1973

Small Beginnings

Concerned parents and management at the Mark IV Housing Complex, now Pheasant Ridge Apartments, approached the University of Iowa School of Social Work about challenges facing their neighborhood.

A neighborhood needs assessment led to the creation of the Mark IV Drop-In Center in a three-bedroom apartment, supported by neighbors, volunteers and University of Iowa students and faculty.

1975 archival photo Early child care or neighborhood photo

1975

Becoming an Organization

The Center incorporated as the Mark IV Community Services Center with assets totaling $312.89.

A cooperative child care program opened for 15 children. That year also brought many Vietnamese refugee families to Iowa, including families who settled in the Mark IV community.

1976 archival photo Early programs, staff or apartment center

1976

A Vision for a Permanent Center

The organization submitted its first proposal for a dedicated Neighborhood Center. Although the proposal was not funded, the idea of a permanent community space had taken root.

The Center's annual operating budget had grown to $32,024.

1980 archival photo Neighborhood programs or community organizing

1980

Programs Take Root

Neighborhood residents successfully advocated for bus service to the Mark IV community and the first known neighborhood newsletter was distributed.

The organization became the Willow Creek Neighborhood Center. Programs included preschool, women's and youth groups, clubs, recreation and activities for both children and adults.

1985 archival photo Leadership or neighborhood programming photo

1985

A Period of Expansion Begins

Joan Vandenberg became Executive Director and helped lead Neighborhood Centers into a decade of growth and expansion.

Diane Dingbaum, who had served as an outreach worker, became Child Care Coordinator.

1989 archival photo Broadway organizing or construction photo

1989

Building Broadway

Neighborhood Centers had begun organizing and working in the Broadway neighborhood, expanding services on Iowa City's southeast side.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in July 1989, beginning construction of a permanent Broadway Neighborhood Center.

1990 archival photo Broadway Neighborhood Center opening

1990

Broadway Neighborhood Center Opens

The Broadway Neighborhood Center opened, creating a permanent hub for children and families on Iowa City's southeast side.

Neighborhood Centers also sponsored the Panthers girls' softball team under Head Coach Ross Wilburn and Assistant Coach Tammy Teltz.

1993 archival photo Pheasant Ridge campaign or families

1993

Planning for Pheasant Ridge

Following Broadway's success, a campaign began to create a permanent Neighborhood Center at Pheasant Ridge.

Changes to public assistance policies also increased the need for accessible child care for working families.

1995 archival photo Child care, Tiffin or leadership photo

1995

Child Care and Community Expansion

Neighborhood Centers began providing licensed child care.

Programs also expanded westward, including work in Tiffin and afterschool programs connected to the Clear Creek Amana community.

Brian Loring became Executive Director during this period of organizational growth.

1996 archival photo Pheasant Ridge grand opening

1996

Pheasant Ridge Gets a Permanent Home

The Pheasant Ridge Neighborhood Center opened its permanent building.

The celebration included Mr. McFeely and Purple Panda from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

1997 archival photo Youth, child care or Tiffin programming

1997

Serving More Communities

Neighborhood Centers continued expanding beyond Iowa City, including collaborative work serving children and families in Tiffin and rural Johnson County.

1998 archival photo Early childhood or Pheasant Ridge families

1998

Quality and a Changing Community

Early childhood programs earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Pheasant Ridge also welcomed its first families from Sudan, part of the continuing cultural evolution of the neighborhood.

1999 archival photo Home visiting or family support photo

1999

Support Reaches Families at Home

New School Ready funding helped Neighborhood Centers expand home visiting and family support throughout Johnson County.

2002 archival photo Tubool drum troupe

2002

Tubool

Tubool, a drum troupe playing traditional Sudanese music, formed through the Pheasant Ridge Neighborhood Center.

Sudanese youth maintained connections to their culture while other local youth learned about Sudanese music.

2003 archival photo PREP / early learning photo

2003

Early Learning Grows

The Johnson County Early Learning Initiative helped launch PREP, a summer preschool experience for children with limited English skills or little previous preschool experience.

The Summer Lunch Program had grown to serve more than 500 children per day.

2004 photo Early Learning Initiative

2004

Identifying Children Earlier

Neighborhood Centers began an Early Learning Initiative focused on identifying and serving young children with developmental delays in underserved communities.

2005 photo Summer Lunch or school programming

2005

National Recognition

Summer Lunch outreach received a National Victory Against Hunger Award.

Neighborhood Centers also began leading afterschool programming at Mark Twain Elementary.

2006 photo School-based afterschool programming

2006

Growing Inside Schools

Neighborhood Centers expanded school-based programming, including preschool at Grant Wood Elementary and before- and after-school opportunities for children.

2007 photo Nutrition / kitchen / Kids Eat Smart

2007

Kids Eat Smart, Play Hard

A major Kohl's Cares for Kids award helped modernize the Pheasant Ridge kitchen and expand Neighborhood Centers' focus on childhood nutrition.

2010 photo Nutrition, gardens or healthy food

2010

Healthy Food, Stronger Neighborhoods

A second Kohl's award expanded nutrition programming and helped bring organic and locally sourced produce into Neighborhood Centers programs.

2011 photo Literacy or Grant Wood programming

2011

Literacy Across Programs

Support from the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation helped incorporate literacy activities throughout programs serving children, youth and families.

2012 photo G!WORLD, Grays Baseball or cycling

2012

New Opportunities for Youth

Youth-focused initiatives continued growing, including the Iowa City Grays Baseball Club and programs designed to expand access to recreation, mentorship and opportunities for young people.

Neighborhood Centers also navigated a major funding transition in Early Childhood while maintaining services through strong community partnerships.

2013 photo Family Support or Youth Off-Road Riders

2013

Family Support and Youth Adventure

The Family Support Program received State of Iowa Family Support Accreditation.

Youth Off-Road Riders also launched, introducing young people to cycling, outdoor recreation and competitive events throughout the Midwest.

2015 photo Alexander Elementary afterschool program

2015

Alexander Elementary

When Alexander Elementary opened, Neighborhood Centers began operating its After School Program.

2016 photo Garner Elementary or G!WORLD

2016

More Youth Programs

Neighborhood Centers assumed leadership of the After School Program at Garner Elementary.

The organization also took on G!WORLD, a program supporting young women of color.

2017 photo Hills Elementary afterschool

2017

Hills Elementary

Neighborhood Centers expanded again by assuming management of the Hills Elementary After School Program.

2019 photo Early Childhood or Family Support

2019

Recognized for Quality

Early Childhood programs achieved Iowa's highest quality rating, while Family Support received its second Iowa accreditation.

2020 photo COVID response, pantry or deliveries

2020

Responding to a Pandemic

When COVID-19 closed classrooms and in-person programs, Neighborhood Centers adapted quickly to support families.

Staff, volunteers, donors and community partners helped provide food, diapers, virtual family support and contactless deliveries while creating new partnerships and connections.

2022 photo Rachel Rockwell and RaQuishia Harrington

2022

Charting a New Course

Neighborhood Centers entered its 50th year with a significant leadership transition.

After decades of service, Brian Loring and Diane Dingbaum retired. Rachel Rockwell became Executive Director and RaQuishia Harrington became Associate Director.

2023 photo Add photo URL later

2023

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2024 photo Add photo URL later

2024

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2025 photo Add photo URL later

2025

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2026

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Explore the original historical poster series created in celebration of Neighborhood Centers' 50th anniversary.

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