Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill, both rooted in the United Methodist Church and affiliated with United Way of Central Iowa, are set to merge on July 1. The newly formed organization, Families Forward, will bring together the four original programs — Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter and the Home Connection — to offer comprehensive support to families in need. Executive Director Tim Shanahan expressed enthusiasm for the new organization and its commitment to serving low-income families in Central Iowa. The merger will not affect the locations, with Bidwell Pantry and Child Development Center remaining at 1203 Hartford Ave, and New Directions Shelter and the Home Connection continuing operations at 3001 Grand Ave. To find out more about this partnership and ways to get involved, visit Families Forward’s new website and follow them on social media.