About Us

 Since 1987, the St. John of the Cross Catholic Worker Community of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Inc. has provided emergency shelter, hope, and support to women and families experiencing homelessness.

What began as a small group of compassionate citizens responding to a growing community need has grown into a shelter serving women and children from Cedar Rapids. Operating from two neighboring homes on 5th Avenue SE, we offer more than a safe place to sleep—we provide the support and resources needed to help people rebuild their lives.

Many of the families and individuals we serve remain with us for several months due to the shortage of affordable housing. During their stay, our dedicated staff works alongside each guest to develop goals, secure employment, strengthen financial skills, search for housing, and connect with community resources that promote long-term stability.

Every person who comes through our doors is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. We believe homelessness is a circumstance—not an identity—and that with encouragement, opportunity, and community support, every person has the ability to build a brighter future.

Today, the St. John of the Cross Catholic Worker Community continues its mission of providing emergency shelter while empowering our guests to move from crisis to independence, one step at a time.

The Catholic Worker Movement was founded on May 1, 1933, by Servant of God Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin. Rooted in the Gospel call to serve others, the movement is dedicated to the Works of Mercy—feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing those in need, caring for the sick, visiting the imprisoned, advocating for justice, and recognizing the dignity of every person. Today, nearly 200 Catholic Worker communities continue this mission throughout the United States and around the world.

The story of the St. John of the Cross Catholic Worker House began in January 1982, when Bret and Lisa Vanderlinden purchased an aging home with a $1,000 down payment and restored it themselves. Originally intended as a rental property, the home soon became something much greater. A dedicated group of local citizens recognized the growing need for emergency shelter in Cedar Rapids and came together to establish what is now the St. John of the Cross Catholic Worker Community of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Inc.

Located at 1027 5th Avenue SE, the original house—built in 1900—has served as a place of refuge and hope for decades. In 2016, the organization expanded by acquiring the neighboring home at 1031 5th Avenue SE. It started as a rental program but is now additional emergency housing, allowing us to serve more women and families in need.

Today, the Catholic Worker House provides temporary emergency shelter for women and families experiencing homelessness. In 2025, we served 124 guests, the majority of whom were women and children. Because of the ongoing shortage of affordable housing in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding communities, many families remain with us for several months while working toward stable, permanent housing.

People in need of food. People in need of shelter. People in need of a better tomorrow.

Our mission is simple, but our commitment runs deep. We believe that every person deserves access to life's most basic needs and the opportunity to build a brighter future.

For those facing hunger, we provide nourishment and hope. For those experiencing homelessness, we offer a safe place to stay, compassionate support, and a community that cares. Beyond meeting immediate needs, we work alongside each guest to help them achieve long-term stability through housing assistance, employment support, life skills education, financial literacy, and personalized case management.

A better tomorrow means more than finding permanent housing—it means restoring dignity, rebuilding confidence, strengthening families, and creating opportunities for lasting independence.

Every meal served, every bed provided, every conversation shared, and every goal accomplished is another step toward fulfilling our mission: People in need of food. People in need of shelter. People in need of a better tomorrow.

For more than four decades, our mission has remained the same: to provide not only food and shelter, but also hope, compassion, and the support people need to build a better tomorrow