About Us

About Oakridge Neighborhood

Children Achieving and Families Thriving has been the overarching mantra of Oakridge Neighborhood since its founding over 50 years ago.

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 over 20,000 families and 75,000 individuals.

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

On a daily basis Oakridge Neighborhood Services provides life-changing programming for over 100 children in our nationally accredited early childhood program, 250 youth in the 21st Century after school program, and 100 adults in our workforce, HOPE, ELL and citizenship 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..