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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Coralville, IA

Home Care Coralville, IA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Old Town Hall of Coralville gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Coralville, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Coralville, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Tracey Gray helped me in the biggest way today! She saved my day and I am so thankful for her choice to help me! Thank you! #CertPrint #AlwaysBestCare”

Coreline I.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”

James T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”

Michael H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”

Melanie S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Coralville, IA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Coralville, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Coralville, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Coralville, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Coralville, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting North Ridge Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Coralville, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Chez Grace - Nouveau French Cuisine or visit Johnson County Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Coralville, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Coralville, IA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Coralville, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Coralville, IA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Coralville, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Coralville, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Coralville, IA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Coralville, IA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Stirlingshire of Coralville
  • Grand Living At Bridgewater
  • Brown Deer Place
  • Lantern Park Specialty Care
  • Windmill Manor
  • Amada Senior Care
Home Care Coralville, IA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Coralville, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Coralville, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Coralville, IA

Latest News in Coralville, IA

Here are 7 ways to celebrate Independence Day in Johnson County

Fourth of July in Johnson County is coming in with a bang. Though residents can legally set off fireworks, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the nation’s 249th birthday. Check out these seven events throughout the extended holiday weekend:Celebrate tradition at Coralville’s 4th FestCoralville’s long-standing tradition, 4thFest, returns on Wednesday, July 2, and runs through Friday, July 4. The carnival begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the Aquatic Center parking lot, with ticke...

Fourth of July in Johnson County is coming in with a bang. Though residents can legally set off fireworks, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the nation’s 249th birthday. Check out these seven events throughout the extended holiday weekend:

Celebrate tradition at Coralville’s 4th Fest

Coralville’s long-standing tradition, 4thFest, returns on Wednesday, July 2, and runs through Friday, July 4. The carnival begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the Aquatic Center parking lot, with tickets available for purchase at Coralville City Hall and the Coralville Recreation Center.

The festivities resume at noon both on Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4 , anchored by the carnival and more activities at S.T. Morrison Park. Food vendors include Americana Concessions, Kona Ice of Cedar Rapids, La Mexicana Grocery Store & Taqueria, Papa Johns of Pizza, Rodney's Jamaican Jerk, and Sno Biz of Iowa City and Udderly Epic Desserts.

Summer construction has arrived in Johnson County. Here are the projects to be aware of:

The festival vendor fair will run from 2-9 p.m. on the Fourth of July. Other 4thFest events include bingo, a petting zoo and a kids' tractor pull.

The star of the festival, the 4thFest Parade, will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday. The two-mile parade begins and ends at the corner of 22nd Avenue and 9th Street.

A fireworks display will cap off the festival at 9:45 p.m. Friday, July 4 at S.T. Morrison Park.

The full event schedule can be found at Coralville.org.

Feel the sparks at the Iowa City Jazz Festival

The Summer of the Arts Jazz Festival is one of the longest-running annual festivals in Iowa City, making its grand return Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6. The three-day festival celebrates the diversity and breadth of the jazz genre with live performances on two downtown stages accompanied by delicious food. Friday's session starts at p.m. while things get rolling again at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. The final day of the Jazz Festival starts at noon on Sunday.

The festival showcases emerging artists and nationally renowned talent. A fireworks display will be held at 9:30 p.m. Saturday over the Old Capitol.

Fireworks at Penn Meadows

Celebrate the Fourth of July a day early at Penn Meadows Park in North Liberty at 250 N Dubuque St. The fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3. The city of North Liberty encourages guests to bring lawn chairs and pack a picnic basket.

A fireworks show in Oxford

Oxford is hosting a fireworks display on Thursday, July 3. The show begins at dusk at Creekside Park along Mill Street.

Independence Day in Hills

Hills will put on a fireworks display and a parade on Friday, July 4. The parade starts at 5 p.m. and starts on Main Street.

The fireworks display will begin at dusk at Hills City Park, at 201 W. Main St.

Indulge in some Bourbon and Blues

Head to Cedar Ridge Distillery for the annual Fourth of July Music Festival, Bourbon and Blues. The three-day festival is held Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6, featuring local artists and bands playing soulful blues tunes. The action begins at noon on Friday, July 4 and is free to attend.

Glizzies and Grass at Field Day Brewing

Celebrate all things Americana at Field Day’s second Glizzies and Grass. Enjoy a day of bluegrass classics and hot dogs from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 6. Tickets are $10 and come with a beer and four hot dogs. The event will feature a hot dog eating contest for a chance to win a $100 Field Day gift card.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at[email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_

Davis Acquires Two-Building, $34 Million Portfolio in Coralville, Iowa and Maplewood, MN

Davis Healthcare, on behalf of its open-ended Davis Medical Investment Fund (DMI), has acquired a two-building, 88,295-square-foot healthcare real estate portfolio commonly known as CoralBirch with assets located in Coralville, Iowa and Maplewood, Minnesota for a combined purchase price of $34 million. More than 70% of space in the buildings is leased to high-credit hospital systems.With this acquisition, the Fund now encompasses 17 single and multi-tenant, off-campus ambulatory care buildings totaling more than 750,000 square feet of...

Davis Healthcare, on behalf of its open-ended Davis Medical Investment Fund (DMI), has acquired a two-building, 88,295-square-foot healthcare real estate portfolio commonly known as CoralBirch with assets located in Coralville, Iowa and Maplewood, Minnesota for a combined purchase price of $34 million. More than 70% of space in the buildings is leased to high-credit hospital systems.

With this acquisition, the Fund now encompasses 17 single and multi-tenant, off-campus ambulatory care buildings totaling more than 750,000 square feet of space. The assets under management total approximately $275 million. DMI targets expanding the fund to $500+ million over the next few years. The portfolio of properties is 97% leased with a weighted average lease term (WALT) of eight years.

“The CoralBirch portfolio was a great opportunity to continue growing the portfolio for Davis and our DMI Fund in markets where we already have a presence and in those where we see great long-term potential,” said Stewart Davis, Executive Vice President, Investments, Davis. “The quality of the assets and the caliber of the tenants that occupy space in the buildings made this an extremely attractive acquisition to pursue.”

Coralville West Medical Building

Coral West Medical Building, located at 2769 Heartland Avenue, is a three-story, 60,351-square-foot medical building in close proximity to the University of Iowa Campus. Davis acquired the property for $24,150,000, or approximately $400 per square foot.

This represents DMI’s first acquisition in the state of Iowa.

At closing, the building was 97% leased with more than 65% of the space leased to the University of Iowa. Among the services provided by University of Iowa Healthcare are primary care and internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, imaging, rehab and dermatology, among others. Additional tenants of the building tenants are medical practices focused on obstetrics, radiology and rehab.

The weighted average lease term (WALT) of tenants occupying space in the building is eight years. Approximately 2,100 square feet of space is available for lease.

The Class A building, which is located immediately north of Interstate 80 and west of Coral Ridge Avenue, was originally developed in 2010. The building’s common areas and restrooms were renovated in 2022 with new wall covering, floor coverings, furniture and artwork.

Birch Run

Birch Run Medical Building, located at 1747 Beam Avenue in St. Paul, is a 27,944-square-foot, single-story building. The purchase price was $9,850,000 or approximately $352 per square foot.

The building is fully leased, with BBB+ S&P rated MHealth occupying 86% of the building. Prior to the acquisition of Birch Run by Davis, MHealth executed a long-term lease to bring a neurology group to the building. Other specialty areas within MHealth’s practice at the building include a spine center and a dental implant center.

With the execution of that most recent lease, the WALT at Birch Run improved to 10 years.

Birch Run is less than ½ mile from MHealth’s Fairview St. John’s Hospital and adjacent to Maplewood Mall. The building is located in an area with dense demographics and numerous retail amenities.

Among the additional features of the building, which was developed in 2010, include high ceiling heights, abundant natural light, superior visibility and access to the property.

“Despite the current high cost of capital and persistent uncertainty in the financial markets we continue to selectively pursue attractive investment opportunities and look to strategically expand our portfolio as offerings make sense,” said Davis.

Eric Gunderson, Alerus Financial, and Scott Sullivan, American National Bank, provided financing for the acquisitions in Minnesota and Iowa, respectively.

About Davis Healthcare Real Estate

Davis, founded in 1986, is a national healthcare real estate firm that offers unparalleled expertise in healthcare real estate development, property management, brokerage, investment, and consulting services to health systems, hospitals, individual medical groups, specialty practices, and other healthcare organizations. The company has developed over 37 Class A medical buildings totaling $450-plus million in development costs and completed 59 investment transactions totaling more than $759 million. It has also negotiated more than 447 healthcare property leases with an aggregate value in excess of $1.1 billion. The firm currently owns and/or manages 63 Medical Outpatient Buildings (MOBs) in 12 states across the US, including concentrations in MN, IA, IL, MI, OH, TN, CT, ME, AZ, ND, TX, and LA. For more information visit www.davishre.com.

Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on ‘Women Build’ home in Coralville for local immigrant family

The lot was purchased from the city by Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity last summerThe Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.CORALVILLE — Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity broke ground Thursday on its first “Women Build” home in Coralville. By the end of this year, organizers hope to have taught more women how to build while constructing a house for a local family that came to the United States 10 years ago in search of a safer, more stable life.The ho...

The lot was purchased from the city by Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity last summer

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

CORALVILLE — Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity broke ground Thursday on its first “Women Build” home in Coralville. By the end of this year, organizers hope to have taught more women how to build while constructing a house for a local family that came to the United States 10 years ago in search of a safer, more stable life.

The house is being built at 708 Ninth Ave., on a lot bought by Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity from the City of Coralville last summer. The organization paid $25,000 for the property after the city approached them to suggest the purchase.

“I want to say thank you to everybody that supports this amazing organization,” Coralville Mayor Meghan Foster said at the groundbreaking. “And I just have to say, I want to see more of this in Coralville. Affordable housing is something that's very important to me, we need a lot of different tools to get that done and this is a really important one.”

“Without their partnership and their work with us, we just wouldn't have been able to build here,” Scott Hawes, executive director of Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity said of the city at the groundbreaking. “So that decision to support our work was really important and instrumental in helping us.”

Build honors longtime volunteers

While Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity has built other homes in Coralville over the last 33 years of its existence — and it has organized other Women Build projects — but this will be its first Women Build house in Coralville.

Each Women Build project has designated honorees. This one honors to longtime Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity volunteers: Linda Barrow and Wai Yin Chan.

Barrow — nicknamed “Digger” — has been a part of Women Build since 2005. She’s a self-taught carpenter with nearly 40 years of remodeling experience who’s being honored for her commitment to the organization and willingness to train new volunteers.

“She comes with a wealth of knowledge, with a heart full of giving, and just the person that I'm very happy to call one of my best friends, and you'll find her on the job site almost every day as well,” Jane Hagedorn, Women Build Committee member, said of Barrow.

Yin Chan got involved in the organization in 2008 after the floods. Members of the Women Build Committee said she’s known for her commitment to keeping a safe work site and attention to detail.

“She's the quiet one with the broom. She was in the trailer today that has all of our work tools and supplies over, cleaning all the hats with a damp cloth, ordering everything where it needed to be, backing into her own little private world,” Barrow said of Yin Chan.

Immigrant family will move in later this year

When completed, the home will be bought by Mohamed and Shaza, a couple with four children who immigrated to the U.S. from Sudan through the Diversity Visa Program in 2015.

Mohamed was an engineer in Sudan, and now works as a machine operator in a factory. Shaza recently completed her studies to become a dental assistant. They and their children have lived in an apartment in Coralville since 2018. They said it’s safe, but it’s becoming cramped.

“My goal was safety. And good schools,” Mohamed is quoted as saying in a news release about the build. “This is my investment in my kids. I want to send them on the right track. Invest in them better so they can do better. They say the kids are affected positively or negatively by their surroundings, so this is a very important thing.”

Habitat for Humanity houses are built and sold to qualified applicants. Each adult in the household contributes 250 hours of sweat equity — time spent serving the Habitat for Humanity mission — as a down payment for the house.

“We'll all go home tonight, go to our nice house, go in where we know things are ours and the gracious things,” Barrow said at Thursday’s groundbreaking. “We'll do our routine and go to bed safely and not have to worry about anything. In December, I hope we give the keys to Mohamed and his family so that they can do the very same thing.”

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