JANUARY NEWSLETTER
January 7, 2026
Christmas Party at Ames Romero House
On December 19, we welcomed our community to celebrate Christmas at ARH. Our home was adorned with beautiful decorations inside and out, but it was the warmth of our guests that truly made the season special. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, signifying God’s entry into human history to offer salvation. Gathering together in anticipation of our Lord’s birth made this occasion especially meaningful.
Our historic 1900-built home was transformed for the season, with festive decorations throughout the main level. A striking 8-foot Christmas tree, adorned with red ribbons and lace, stood as the centerpiece, while poinsettias brightened every room. Many guests shared how the cozy décor evoked memories of Christmases from their childhood. We welcomed our network of guests, friends of our mission, and all our staff to celebrate this season of hope.
Reflecting on our mission’s success this year—opening our doors at 702 Clark this summer and launching programs to support our neighbors in need—we’ve had many chances to show love and mercy. New friendships blossomed, collaboration among agencies grew, and witnessing people of diverse backgrounds unite for the common good truly embodied the spirit of Christmas.
We wish you and your families a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The birth of Jesus is celebrated as a time of great joy and hope. It reminds us of God’s presence among us and invites us to deepen our relationship with Him.
Let’s make 2026 our best year yet by reaching out to those who need it most.
Categories
Upcoming Events
ZAPOTE COFFEE
17
January
- 702 Clark Av. Ames, IA
- 9.00 AM - 11.00 AM
PRAYER SERVICE
28
JANUARY
- 702 Clark Av. Ames, IA
- 4.00 PM - 5.00 PM
Story County Warming Center Opens
Many people ask about the dangers facing our marginalized neighbors during harsh weather and how they receive support. For the first time, we have a real solution: the Story County community is coming together to offer safe, warm options for those in need during this long, cold season. With bitter temperatures, ice, and snow creating significant challenges this year, we must look out for our neighbors in Story County to help keep them safe and warm. We are excited to announce the creation of the Ames Warming Place.
When temperatures drop below a certain threshold, the new warming center opens from 8:45 p.m. to 7 a.m., providing a safe, warm space off the streets overnight. We are grateful to all the agencies that assisted us for their compassion and commitment to those facing real danger by remaining outside in extreme weather, especially Ames First United Methodist Church, which generously agreed to host the warming center in their basement. This location is ideal because those who need overnight care can walk across the street from the Ames Library to the warming center.
Alongside ARH, agencies such as Ames PD, Story County Emergency Management, HOST, Mary Greeley Medical Center, ARCH, Salvation Army, Ames First United Methodist, and Bridge Home collaborated to develop this plan. After numerous meetings, the plans were finalized in mid-December, and the center opened soon after. This partnership is yet another example of organizations joining forces to serve the common good in Ames and Story County.
Many of our guests sleep in tents, cars, or directly on the ground in sleeping bags—making the warming center a true lifeline. Tragically, in mid-December, a homeless individual in Des Moines lost their life to the cold. We must do everything we can to protect our neighbors in need this winter.
If you’d like to volunteer overnight when the warming center is open, visit www.romerohouseames.org to learn about volunteer roles and how to get started. Additional details are also available on our warming center landing page at https://ameswarming.place/.
New ARH Website Has Launched
We’re thrilled to launch our new ARH website, designed for a more interactive experience that highlights our mission and activities. Special thanks to Mario Galindo, whose creativity, expertise, and dedication made this project possible.
Enhanced navigation makes it easier to explore our services, volunteer opportunities, and donation options. New videos explain our core principles and show our mission in action. We hope this updated site clarifies our purpose, invites greater participation, and streamlines getting involved. Plus, our new e-commerce tab makes ordering ARH merchandise simple.
Visit us at our new domain: www.romerohouseames.org. Our original site, www.amesromerohouse.org, will automatically redirect you. We invite you to explore and engage with our ministry online.
New Seminarians at ARH
We’re thrilled to launch our new ARH website, designed for a more interactive experience that highlights our mission and activities. Special thanks to Mario Galindo, whose creativity, expertise, and dedication made this project possible.
Enhanced navigation makes it easier to explore our services, volunteer opportunities, and donation options. New videos explain our core principles and show our mission in action. We hope this updated site clarifies our purpose, invites greater participation, and streamlines getting involved. Plus, our new e-commerce tab makes ordering ARH merchandise simple.
Visit us at our new domain: www.romerohouseames.org. Our original site, www.amesromerohouse.org, will automatically redirect you. We invite you to explore and engage with our ministry online.
Successful Poinsettia Plant Drive
This marks the second year of our poinsettia plant campaign, designed to introduce our mission to businesses throughout Ames while bringing a festive atmosphere to offices, showrooms, and dental waiting areas. Once again, the campaign was a great success, with over 500 plants sold and delivered across Ames.
We extend our sincere thanks to Salama Greenhouse in Boone for providing top-quality plants and collaborating with us on pricing, allowing us to offer competitive prices and raise funds for ARH. We are also grateful to our dedicated volunteers, who helped stage and deliver the plants on a cold, snowy December morning. Special thanks to Father Don for generously allowing us to use the St. Cecilia Social Hall for staging before delivery.
