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One noteworthy organization responding to this turmoil is the Des Moines Oak Ridge Neighborhood, a central Iowa nonprofit focused on housing, childcare, youth employment, and workforce development. Its CEO, Deidre DeJear, expressed that while funding will initially continue as planned, recent developments have left her feeling apprehensive about the future of federal funding and the services provided by the organization.
DeJear noted, "We've got to be ready," as her team began formulating backup plans in anticipation of potential funding cutbacks. The Oak Ridge Neighborhood serves over 700 individuals, many of whom are refugees or immigrants, making their services life-sustaining for those who rely on them for self-sufficiency and stability.