[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 46 (Thursday, March 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E236-E237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING JOHN DOUGLAS AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 2021

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring Mr. John Douglas, Executive 
Director of the Wilkie House in Des Moines, as our Iowan of the Week.
  John's gift for working with kids and helping them reach their 
highest potential is immediately evident upon visiting with him about 
his work. He speaks with passion and expertise on issues such as the 
importance of quality

[[Page E237]]

child care and the urgent need to address the childcare cliff effect to 
create better opportunity for families. At the Wilkie House you can see 
his determination and dedication not only in tackling big projects like 
significant infrastructure improvements to the building and playground, 
but also in little things like walking kids to their parent's car at 
the end of the evening to say goodnight.
  Like many small non-profit leaders, John dedicates an immense amount 
of time and effort, wears many hats, and maximizes limited resources to 
make his programs successful. During workdays that regularly last 
nearly 12 hours, John works on grants, community outreach and 
engagement, assisting families in overcoming barriers, and accessing 
resources and administration. He's constantly working on growing 
funding to keep up with the increase in numbers so the Wilkie House can 
serve more children. With all that and more on his plate, he still 
spends time with the kids during afterschool activities and cites it a 
source of great joy.
  Established in September of 1917, the Wilkie House initially served 
as an extension of the War Recreation Board for Black Officers at Fort 
Des Moines, making it one of the oldest African-American community-
based organizations in the state of Iowa. Today the organization's rich 
history is carried forward through the mission of developing character 
and esteem in young people through promotion of academics, building 
social skills, health, and recreation. The nonprofit serves nearly 400 
youth ages 5-18 years and their families during the fiscal year, with 
the majority of participants coming from low-income families and 
diverse ethnic backgrounds.
  The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges to 
John and his team. The Wilkie House was one of the first organizations 
to reopen and stay open throughout the summer and for virtual learning 
support in the school year. They adapted to facilitate safe, full-day 
school year programming during virtual learning days so youth 
participants could better understand and complete their academics, 
receive tutoring and daily meals, and fulfill critical social needs 
through recreational and social skill building activities. It would be 
impossible to measure the kind of positive impact this program has had 
on our community during such a difficult time.
  Despite the additional challenges, John and the Wilkie House team 
have continued to provide after school programming so kids can have 
snacks and dinner, engage in active and creative activities, and 
receive tutoring and homework assistance. They maintain summer 
programming with trips to the park and the zoo, volunteer 
opportunities, and work with youth on growth areas like problem 
solving, coping with change, independence, compassion, and career 
readiness. John also helps the Wilkie House maintain its position as a 
community hub by hosting evening and weekend events that bring people 
together for meals, fun activities, sporting events, and even musical 
performances from groups like the Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corp.
  Before stepping up to his current role, John worked as a coordinator 
of a federal grant at the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families. 
He spent time in higher education and worked internationally in non-
profits to help families living in extreme poverty, including those in 
slums, orphanages, and children living on the street. Giving back to 
those in need, particularly young children, has been the highlight of 
his career.
  Individuals like John Douglas who prioritize service over self in 
order to create a better life for individuals and better community for 
all their neighbors, especially those who are underserved and 
underrepresented, are commendable for so many reasons. Not only has he 
had an immediate and positive effect on the kids and families he serves 
through the Wilkie House, but the whole of Des Moines is better off 
because of his ongoing efforts. I'm proud to count John as a neighbor 
and thank him for his dedication. It is my honor to name him our Iowan 
of the Week.

                          ____________________