Waukee Area Christian Services
Waukee Area Christian Services (WACS) is a non-profit outreach ministry supported by Waukee area churches. Our organization is united in helping people in Waukee and all of Dallas County with supplemental food, clothing, basic health care and assistance with housing and school essentials.
All services are volunteer-driven and supported by donations from citizens like you.
If you’re in need of our services or want to get involved, please connect with us by phone (515) 987-5523 or the Contact Us page.
Mission Statement
Waukee Area Christian Services’ mission is to serve people’s immediate needs and create connections for lifelong wellness.
Vision Statement
A community where all are physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy.
Meet the Team
Waukee Area Christian Services team members, from left to right: AJ, Julie, Heather, Sonja, Suzy, Jen, and Melissa.
Melissa – Executive Director
Melissa has been with WACS from the very beginning in 2005. She makes sure we stay focused on our mission, overseeing the day-to-day operations and working closely with our board of directors. She is a native Iowan who enjoys camping, bike rides, hosting family gatherings and any type of travel.
Heather – Client Advocate and Seasonal Programs Manager
Heather joined the team part time in 2016 as our Client Advocate – helping clients navigate through available resources within WACS and elsewhere. She is a native Midwesterner, having lived in Minnesota, Michigan and Iowa. She is passionate about sharing God’s love and grace, spending time with family and friends and traveling on adventures.
Julie – Marketing, Garden and Clothing Closet Manager
Julie has volunteered in our donation garden since 2013 and joined the staff part time in 2020, helping with communications, grants, funding and other projects. She’s a native of Wisconsin, spent over a decade in California, but has been in Iowa since 2005. Julie enjoys exploring, games/activities with family and anything outdoors.
AJ – Volunteer and Client Case Manager
AJ was a Food Pantry volunteer before joining the staff part time in 2020. Her main focus is taking good care of our volunteers. She also works one-on-one with clients needing extra support. AJ is a native of Kansas and moved to Iowa in 2014. She enjoys helping others reach their personal and fitness goals, working out, being active outside and hanging out with her family and dogs.
Jen – Food Pantry, Food Rescue and Food Donations Manager
Jen started volunteering with us in 2022 and instantly loved being part of something so rewarding. She joined the staff part time in 2023. Jen is a native of Illinois but has called Iowa home for the last two years. She and her family are big readers and love to travel on new adventures together.
Sonja – Client Intake Specialist
Sonja is an Urbandale native and started volunteering with us in 2021. Helping neighbors with their most basic needs is important to Sonja. As a part time Client Intake Specialist, she is happy to work one-on-one with our clients. Outside of work, Sonja enjoys reading, traveling and just being with her family.
Suzy – Client Intake Specialist
Suzy started as a volunteer in 2019 and loved shopping with clients. As a part time Client Intake Specialist, she now helps clients by guiding them through all of our services. Suzy grew up in Minnesota, but has considered Iowa home ever since attending college here. She loves to cook, craft (glitter is her favorite color), hike and hang out with family.
Meet the Board of Directors
Waukee Area Christian Services Board of Directors
President – Michelle Rosel (Principal Financial Group)
Vice President – Dan Adams (Leachman Lumber)
Treasurer – David Wall (Tarbell & Co., P.L.C.)
Secretary – Kate Bills (LightEdge Solutions)
Board Member – Sonia Arnold (Retired)
Board Member – Mark Masters (State of Iowa)
Board Member – Rick Arnold (Custom One CFO & Controllers)
Board Member – Michelle Ingle (Wellabe, Inc)
Board Member – Lynda Courage (Retired)
Board Member – Tammy Niemann (Rock Life Consulting)
