‘A Home for Everyone’ Award Presented to Martha’s House of Hope

Published on April 21, 2026

AMES, Iowa – The Ames Human Relations Commission (AHRC) presented its annual “A Home for Everyone” award to Martha’s House of Hope at a recent Ames City Council meeting. The award was accepted by Executive Director Tara Brown.

“A Home for Everyone” award recognizes and honors a worthy individual or organization that has made an exemplary commitment to providing safe, quality, and equitable housing opportunities that enhance the quality of life of members of disadvantaged populations in the Ames community. AHRC presents the award annually during April, which is Fair Housing Month.

Martha’s House of Hope is a non-profit organization committed to providing shelter, life skills and hope for pregnant mothers and their babies. The organization offers a variety of programs and services to serve the physical, spiritual, financial, and emotional needs of those it serves. The organization’s goals include to strive for lives of self-reliance, to instill a sense of service, and to ensure mothers realize their “God-given dignity, regardless of their beliefs.” 

As noted in the nomination, “During a time when housing insecurity can create significant barriers to health and stability, (Martha’s House of Hope) ensures that mothers have a safe place to live while preparing for childbirth, recovering postpartum, and building a foundation for long-term independence.”

AHRC Vice Chair Annabella Marquez presented the award.

The AHRC’s purpose is to help minimize or eliminate the existence of discrimination in the community, promote goodwill among the various racial, religious, and ethnic groups in the community, and cooperate with other organizations to develop programs designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural, and intergroup tensions.

More information about all City of Ames boards and commissions can be found at: www.CityOfAmes.org/BoardsAndCommissions.

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