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April 7, 2025... There's still time to apply for LIHEAP. We are accepting applications through April 30, 2026. Approved households receive a one-time payment to help with this winter's heating cost.  Visit our Find US page for contact information for the MATURA Outreach Center in the county you reside in to apply.

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March 10, 2025...  

Applications for Embrace Iowa closed Feb. 27, 2026. The committee is working to review and process applications as quickly as possible.

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Reminder: Winter moratorium protections end April 1, 2026. Heating and electric providers may soon begin sending disconnection notices to households with past-due balances.  While crisis assistance may be available, it cannot be guaranteed, so we encourage households to reach out to their utility providers as soon as possible.

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COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE for MATURA WIC • Child Health • 1st Five

215 N Elm St. Creston, Iowa 50801, Thursday, March 26th, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Come celebrate with us! Family & children welcome! Open to ALL community members! Come see our NEW space and learn about local community resources. Enjoy refreshments, meet our friendly staff.  Family & children welcome.  Enter your name for a chance to win one of our FUN door prizes!  

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January 29, 2025... The MATURA WIC, BFPC and CAH office moved into the MATURA main building in Creston from Howard Street into the space previously used by IowaWORKS. Phone numbers remain the same. New address is now 215 N. Elm Street. They have been continuing their WIC clinics throughout the move.  1st Five has moved internally into the 215 N. Elm Street office as well.

The 1st Five/WIC/CAH office will be open to the public beginning February 2nd and future Creston WIC clinics will be onsite at their office.​

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December 1, 2025... MATURA Action Corporation is currently accepting Embrace Iowa applications through February 27, 2026. This funding source operates because of contributions from The Des Moines Register and passed on through Community Action agencies. 

Embrace Iowa helps to fill in the gaps not covered by other programs by providing up to $750 to pay for things like:

• Appliances

• Mattresses or bed

• Winter coats or boots

• Medical expenses, dental expenses, and other health care costs

• Prescription medications, in particular to people facing life threatening conditions

• Eye glasses

• Car repairs or tires if car is needed for a job or to go to medical appointments

• Home repairs

• Even rent or utilities if the family has gotten behind

 

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November 3, 2025... Contact the MATURA Outreach Center in the county you reside in to see about Thanksgiving and Christmas programs available.

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November 1, 2025... Applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has opened up to all households. Visit our Crisis, LIHEAP & Weatherization page for more information.  Moratorium protection begins November 1, 2025 and ends April 1, 2026 for households that are LIHEAP approved for this winter season. We do remind households to continue paying their bills as crisis assistance may not be available in the spring.

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​October 1, 2025... Heating season is here!  Applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are available to households with someone over the age 60, if someone is disabled, or if someone has a disconnect notice.  Visit our Crisis, LIHEAP & Weatherization page for more information.

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September 4, 2025...MATURA is celebrating its 60th anniversary today!  Come join us for this outside event on the east side of our main building, 207B N Elm Street, here in Creston.  Come for a light meal and walk around to see what resources our partners have to better our community.

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​August 8, 2025...Save the date!  September 4, 2025, MATURA will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in September.  Join us for food and get information about MATURA and some of our partners -- SIRHA, Crossroads, Connections Area Agency on Aging, Greater Connections Childhood Development Center, SWICC ECE/PAT, Crisis Intervention and Advocacy, Public Health, and Creston Animal Rescue Effort.

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July 31, 2025... NOTICE: As of August 1, MATURA Action Corporation, will no longer be administering the Individual Assistance Grant Program (IIAGP) or Disaster Case Advocacy Program (DCA). Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) are taking over the administration of both of these programs. To learn more, please visit https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/.../individual-disaster... or email individualdisasterassistance@iowa.gov

 

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May 1, 2025...May is Community Action Month!  Together with over 1,000 Community Action Agencies across the country, MATURA is committed to its mission: 

MATURA Action Corporation partners with the community to provide quality programming for families and individuals in need, assisting them in achieving self-sufficiency, in strengthening families and in improving their quality of life.

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April 1, 2025...Moratorium protection ends for LIHEAP approved households.  LIHEAP applications are still being accepted through April 30, 2025.

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​December 1, 2024...MATURA Action Corporation is currently accepting Embrace Iowa applications through March 31, 2025. This funding source operates because of contributions from The Des Moines Register and passed on through Community Action agencies. 

Embrace Iowa helps to fill in the gaps not covered by other programs by providing up to $750 to pay for things like:

• Appliances

• Mattresses or bed

• Winter coats or boots

• Medical expenses, dental expenses, and other health care costs

• Prescription medications, in particular to people facing life threatening conditions

• Eye glasses

• Car repairs or tires if car is needed for a job or to go to medical appointments

• Home repairs

• Even rent or utilities if the family has gotten behind

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November 1, 2024... Applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has opened up to all households. Visit our Crisis, LIHEAP & Weatherization page for more information.  Moratorium protection begins November 1, 2024 and ends April 1, 2025 for households that are LIHEAP approved for this winter season. We do remind households to continue paying their bills as crisis assistance may not be available in the spring.

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October 1, 2024... Heating season is here!  Applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are available to households with someone over the age 60, if someone is disabled, or if someone has a disconnect notice.  Visit our Crisis, LIHEAP & Weatherization page for more information.

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May 2, 2024... May is Community Action Month.  We'll update information as it becomes available.  Open Houses are set for most of our outreach centers:

• Madison- May 10th 11-1

• Adair- May 15th 11-1

• Taylor- May 17th 10-12

• Union- May 24th  8:30-10

• Ringgold-

• Adams- May 30 10-12

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March 22, 2024...Moratorium protection ends April 1 for households that were LIHEAP approved this winter's heating season.
 

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December 4, 2023...MATURA Action Corporation is currently accepting Embrace Iowa applications. This funding source operates because of contributions from The Des Moines Register and passed on through Community Action agencies. 

Embrace Iowa helps to fill in the gaps not covered by other programs by providing up to $750 to pay for things like:

• Appliances

• Mattresses or bed

• Winter coats or boots

• Medical expenses, dental expenses, and other health care costs

• Prescription medications, in particular to people facing life threatening conditions

• Eye glasses

• Car repairs or tires if car is needed for a job or to go to medical appointments

• Home repairs

• Even rent or utilities if the family has gotten behind

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October 1, 2023...Elderly and disabled are able to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) apply beginning October 1st. Households facing disconnection from heat or electric vendor may also apply beginning October 1st. All other households can apply beginning November 1st. Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2024.

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​​​May 8, 2023...May is Community Action Month.  All six of MATURA's Outreach Centers will have an Open House to raise recognition of what we do and to thank donors and the community members and groups for their support. Dates and times include:

•   Madison County - 1724 N John Wayne Drive, Winterset, IA - May 24, 9am-11am 

•   Adair County - 354 Public Square, Greenfield, IA - May 31, 10am-12pm

•   Taylor County - 607 Madison Street, Bedford, IA - May 19, 9am-12pm

•   Union County - 207B N Elm Street, Creston, IA - May 26, 8:30am-10:30pm

•   Ringgold County - 306 S Garfield, Mount Ayr, IA - May 22, 10am-12pm

•   Adams County - 1402 Hull Street, Corning, IA - May 25, 9am-12pm

 

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​March 24, 2023...Moratorium protection ends April 1 for households that were LIHEAP approved this winter's heating season.
 

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March 18, 2023...It is with heavy hearts that we share that a former Chief Fiscal Officer for MATURA, Janice Ritter, has passed away. Janice retired in 2010 after serving as our CFO for 33 years. Our condolences go out to her family and loved ones. Click here for Janice's obituary and funeral information.

 

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​December 1, 2022...MATURA Action Corporation is currently accepting Embrace Iowa applications. This funding source operates because of contributions from The Des Moines Register and passed on through Community Action agencies. 

Embrace Iowa helps to fill in the gaps not covered by other programs by providing up to $750 to pay for things like:

• Appliances

• Mattresses or bed

• Winter coats or boots

• Medical expenses, dental expenses, and other health care costs

• Prescription medications, in particular to people facing life threatening conditions

• Eye glasses

• Car repairs or tires if car is needed for a job or to go to medical appointments

• Home repairs

• Even rent or utilities if the family has gotten behind

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October 1, 2022...Elderly and disabled are able to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) apply beginning October 1st. Households facing disconnection from heat or electric vendor may also apply beginning October 1st. All other households can apply beginning November 1st. Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2023.

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June 10,2022... Governor Reynolds signed a disaster proclamation activating the Iowa Individual Disaster Assistance Grant Program (IIAGP) and  Iowa Disaster Case Management (IDCM) due to the severe weather damages for Union County.  IIAGP application are currently being accepted through 7/5/2022. IDCM will end 12/7/2022.  

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March 7,2022... Governor Reynolds signed a disaster proclamation activating the Iowa Individual Disaster Assistance Grant Program (IIAGP) and  Iowa Disaster Case Management (IDCM) due to the severe weather damages for the following MATURA designated counties:  Adair and Madison, counties.  IIAGP application are currently being accepted through 4/21/2022. IDCM will end 9/5/2022.  Visit https://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs for a listing of other counties affected by the severe storms.

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December 16, 2021... Governor Reynolds signed a disaster proclamation activating the Iowa Individual Disaster Assistance Grant Program (IIAGP) and  Iowa Disaster Case Management (IDCM)due to severe weather on 12/15/21causing damages for the following MATURA designated counties:  Madison, Ringgold, and Union counties.  IIAGP application are currently being accepted through 1/31/2022. IDCM will end 6/14/2022. Visit https://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs for a listing of other counties affected by the severe storms.

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November 10, 2021...MATURA will have its annual meeting on November 23rd, 6:00 p.m. in a joint meeting with the MATURA Head Start Policy Council to include training. The regular meeting will immediately follow the annual meeting. The meetings will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church basement, 800 N Sumner, Creston IA.

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October 1, 2021... For information  regarding Thanksgiving and Christmas sign-ups check with your local Outreach Director on timeframes/processes. 

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October 1, 2021...Elderly and disabled are able to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) apply beginning October 1st. Households facing disconnection from heat or electric vendor may also apply beginning October 1st. All other households can apply beginning November 1st. Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2022.

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July 24, 2021...It is with heavy hearts that we share that our former executive director, Ron Ludwig, has passed away. Ron retired in January 2021. Our condolences go out to her family and loved ones.Click here for Ron's obituary and funeral information.

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October 1, 2020...Elderly and disabled that were not automatically eligible were able to apply beginning October 1st. All other households can apply as of November 1st.Starting Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas baskets/gifts sign up. Check with your local Outreach Director on timeframes/processes. 

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September 8, 2020...Head Start classes are all in session.​  If you know of a family with 3 or 4 year olds, have them call the Head Start Central office at (641) 782-6201

If you know of anyone who is needing help with rental assistance and has been affected by COVID, please have them apply for assistance through the Iowa Finance Authority program website:  IowaHousingRecovery.com  If they have any issues, they may call the IFA helpline at 855-300-5885 or 515-348-8813.  Application deadline is December 4, 2020.

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August 10, 2020...Backpacks are available in Adair, Adams, and Union county outreach thanks to the partnership with Dcat and local supporters. Taylor County has supplies available at Bedford School during registration, at Lenox School closer to start date of August 24th, and at the MATURA Outreach center the week of August 17th.

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 June 22, 2020...Creston will host a transition to kindergarten class July 6-16. Call the Head Start Office at (641) 782-6201 if you know of a child going into kindergarten.

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June 15, 2020...
Outreach Centers opened their doors with limited shopping hours in their thrift stores from 9 am - noon and 1 pm - 3 pm with limit of 6 customers shopping at a time.

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 March 16, 2020...All Head Start classrooms are closed until further notice due to COVID-19.

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May 19, 2020...The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended until June 30th.  This is a continuation of the winter heating season that began October 1, 2019.  If you've already been approved for LIHEAP and are behind on your heating bill, please contact the Outreach Center you reside in to see if you qualify for crisis assistance.

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May 4, 2020...
MATURA's Adair and Taylor County Outreach locations will be closed on Fridays through May.MATURA's Madison County Outreach is open reduced hours Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm. 

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April 27, 2020...
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended through May 31,2020.  Moratorium protection is through May 27, 2020 per Governor Reynold's State Public Health Emergency Declaration.  This is a continuation of the winter heating season that began October 1, 2019.  If you've already been approved for LIHEAP and are behind on your heating bill, please contact the Outreach Center you reside in to see if you qualify for crisis assistance.

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​March 16, 2020...WIC is continuing to provide services through Zoom or over the phone.  For information, call (641) 202-7114 or (641) 344-6013.

MATURA Outreach locations have their doors locked but are still providing Food Pantry (and accepting food donations). LIHEAP and crisis applications will be completed as much as possible over the phone and work with individuals on getting the necessary documentation turned in. All Thrift Stores located within our Outreach locations are currently closed and not accepting clothing/miscellaneous donations.

 

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March 16, 2020... All Head Start classrooms are closed until further notice due to COVID-19.

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April 8, 2019...MATURA's Adams County Outreach location has moved!  Stop and see us!
        MATURA Adams County Outreach
        1402 Hull Street
        Corning, IA  50841

        Open Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays  8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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June 28, 2017...MATURA's Ringgold County Outreach Center is in the process of moving to their new location:  306 South Garfield Street, Mount Ayr, IA.  They will open July 3, 2017.

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November 1, 2013...The MATURA Union County Outreach Center and FaDSS have moved to 207 N. Elm St. in Creston.  The phone number changed (641) 782-8431.  Though the Thrift Store has closed, the Food Pantry will continue to operate.

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April 29, 2013...MATURA Action Corporation has a new logo, thanks to Taylor Powers, a student at Southwestern Community College (SWCC) and Linda Dainty, Art & Design instructor at SWCC.  MATURA contacted Linda Dainty in November to see if she had students who would be interested in helping us come up with a new logo.

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April 14, 2012...A tornado struck the northwest section of Creston, Iowa.  The Clearview Apartment Complex, owned by Iowa 34 Housing, lnc. at 1013 Manor Drive suffered a direct hit from the tornado.  The complex, managed by MATURA Action Corporation, experienced extensive damage and was deemed by local officials as not habitable and structurally unsafe on 4/15/2012.  The Iowa 34 Housing Board met on May 15, 2012, and voted not to rebuild.

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April 12, 2011...
A tornado went through Lenox and caused structural damage to the MATURA Neighborhood Center in Lenox.  It was decided to close the MATURA center since MATURA has in place an Outreach Center in Bedford to cover Taylor County. 

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1986...MATURA moved their central office to 203 West Adams Street, Creston.

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 1981...MATURA had a big fire and everything was lost.  MATURA moved to the former Smith Bros.building.  CETA team moved to Highway 34 building as there was not room in the smaller building for all staff.

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1965...MATURA was funded in 1965 by the Regional office of Equal Opportunity. MATURA Action Corporation was organized by its Articles of Incorporation on September 14, 1965.  An Executive Board was selected.  This Board was selected from the counties of MATURA Action Corporation.  The first central office was located above the Iowa State Savings Bank in Creston, at the corner of Maple and Montgomery Streets.​