[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 193 (Tuesday, December 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING RAEDEEN BIGELOW AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2022

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker. I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring Raedeen Bigelow, who leads the 
MATURA Neighborhood Center in Greenfield, as our Iowan of the Week,
  In September of 1974, Raedeen found herself working a brand-new job 
after graduating high school. She wasn't exactly sure where her career 
path would take her, but she was finding her footing working with Head 
Start, the preschool program provided by MATURA Action Corporation. 
Raedeen was at Head Start for two years when she saw the MATURA 
Outreach Center in Greenfield was looking for an aide. She applied in 
May of 1976, and since then. she has worked tirelessly at the 
Greenfield Neighborhood Center to help those in need of assistance.
  MATURA is a non-profit community action agency that partners with 
communities in southwest Iowa to provide a multitude of comprehensive 
programs for individuals and families seeking assistance. It's 
dedicated staff provides crisis assistance to Iowans in need of food 
and help with utilities and rent, but services go far beyond that, 
MATURA also offers access to its Head Start comprehensive preschool 
program, thrift stores, education for pregnant women, assistance wIth 
programs like WIC breast feeding peer counseling and Healthy and Well 
Kids of Iowa, and workforce training for youth, dislocated workers, and 
long-term unemployed individuals. Each year MATURA provides these types 
of critical services to more than 10,000 individuals and 3,700 families 
across Adams, Adair, Madison, Ringgold, Taylor, and Union Counties, 
where some of the state's most rural areas are located.
  This September, Raedeen will be celebrating 48 years at the 
Greenfield Neighborhood Center, in that time, she has helped folks get 
the assistance they need, no matter the challenges. But when the COVID-
19 pandemic prevented normal interactions between neighbors and changed 
business operations nationwide. Raedeen and the rest of the folks at 
MATURA faced their biggest challenge yet. With their doors closed for 
the first time, meeting families and others to discuss their needs and 
offer solutions was difficult. Raedeen's Outreach Center was getting 
more and more requests for assistance as the pandemic prolonged. People 
needed general assistance, help with housing, energy needs, maternal 
health service, and much more.
  Knowing there was great demand for their help, each Outreach Center 
had to figure out what processes worked best for each individual office 
across its six-county footprint, such as drive-through appointments. 
Raedeen and her team adjusted as each Outreach Center did things their 
own way, working tirelessly to accommodate each person and family and 
get them connected with the help they needed at such a crucial time.
  Today, Raedeen and the Greenfield Outreach Center are stepping up to 
help those in their community as our economy struggles with the burden 
of inflation. Rural communities are facing increased challenges as 
costs rise. Raedeen's work and expertise is critical while the Outreach 
Center yet again adjusts to meet high demand. She is now focused on 
connecting folks with resources like food pantries, of which the 
Greenfield Outreach Center has its own that's used across the area. She 
engages the community regularly so neighbors know when the Center is 
open and what services are being offered, including handing out 
backpacks at the beginning of August.
  Assistance in rural communities can often be overlooked, and it's 
people like Raedeen who make these services accessible for those who 
need it most and during times of crisis. Raedeen is as dedicated as 
ever, and she's excited to soon pass the 50-year anniversary of her 
time at MATURA. Madam Speaker, because of her perseverance, passion, 
and nearly 50 years of dedicated service to her community. I am honored 
to recognize Raedeen Bigelow as this week's Iowan of the Week.

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