Avalon Center relocates, expands offerings in Charles City

To The Press

While the outside of the building at 1202 S. Main St. in Charles City looks pretty much the same as before the Avalon Center opened the doors to its new home last week, what’s inside is a whole different matter.

The interior of the more than 5,000-square-foot building has been completely transformed to better accommodate the non-profit social services agency and allow it to greatly expand its offerings.

“We love it,” said Avalon Director Leah Weber as she was showing some of the Chamber Ambassadors around during a public open house last Friday. “We have so much more room now to do what we do, as well as to offer some new things.”

The Avalon Center had been operating out of a 900-square-foot space in the Dental Center building on North Main Street for the past five years.

The center offers mental health counseling services to children and adults, a mentoring program, provides court-ordered supervised visits for people to see their children, and is also a licensed child placing agency in the state of Iowa.

“We provide adoption services for people wanting to adopt a child, as well as for people wanting to place their child up for adoption,” Webber said.

The former “BAC Shack” looks nothing like it did before with the complete interior remodel, which included constructing new office and private counseling spaces. The color schemes, décor and furnishings make for a comfortable and relaxing environment for clients, Weber said.

“We have seven therapy offices on the first floor and two more offices downstairs as well, which means we can add additional therapists to meet the community’s needs,” said Weber. “We also have different things downstairs now for after-school programs and group therapy activities … we can even host weekly yoga sessions.”

In addition to Weber and Office Administrator Olivia Harden, the center currently employs three other counselors. A new social work intern will be coming on board soon as well.

To learn more about The Avalon Center, stop in or call (641) 715-1183.