To the editor:

In December 2016, Gateway to Discovery was the recipient for the third year of an offer by anonymous donors to match $1 for every $1 raised up to $20,000 for year-end fundraising efforts. The board of Gateway is pleased to report that we were able to raise $65,597 from area individuals, churches and service groups in response to that offer. Thank you to all who were part of that effort.

It has been an amazing year for Gateway to Discovery. Throughout the year, we have seen many people giving of their time, money and in-kind gifts to support these women in their recovery journeys. In our short three years of existence we have positively impacted 26 women. GTD is currently home to six residents, all of whom are showing progress and renewed hope in their lives. Previous residents have continued to bond with each other and with the new residents, initiating a reunion potluck in the fall and continuing to be involved with the program. During 2016, Gateway hired two new fantastic staff members.

In other exciting news, Gateway in 2016 became a residence program for women who have been human trafficked, one of few such places in Iowa. We continue “offering women a sanctuary for recovering in community.”

We cannot thank the anonymous donors and all the other generous enough donors for their response to the ministry which is Gateway to Discovery and its social enterprise Hope Sweet Hope Studios. HSHS is at 1900 Fifth Ave. S. in Fort Dodge. Please stop by and check us out. We are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Come see our retail store products, volunteer to help out, or ask us to speak at a group to which you belong. We would like to express our gratitude in person.

Gateway to Discovery board members

Patrick Reed

Chair

Barb Kolesar

Secretary

Karen Kaiser

Co-treasurer

Joyce Garton-Natte

Co-treasurer

Monica Shelly

Hans Madsen