About Oakridge Neighborhood

Initiated by the Des Moines Area Council of Churches, Oakridge Neighborhood welcomed its first residents in 1969 when Air Force Master Sergeant Jack D. Edwards, his wife and four children moved into their three-bedroom apartment home. Since that time Oakridge has served the housing and human service needs of thousands of families.

Our culturally rich neighborhood is a place where people can raise families while working toward sustained self-reliance. Our campus has 339 secure, affordable housing units where families gain stability while preparing for the next step in their life’s journey. In addition, we provide wraparound social services for all Central Iowans, designed to create opportunities for individual and family success.

On a daily basis Oakridge Neighborhood provides life-changing programming for children in our nationally accredited early childhood program, youth in our 21st Century afterschool program, and adults in our family and workforce programs.

We have a rich history and a strong legacy of achieving results. Here in Oakridge Neighborhood, lives are positively impacted, opportunities are created, and important change is realized for our youth, adults and their families.