Partner Impact on Social Drivers Of Health
Otto Schoitz Foundation funds local nonprofit organizations providing transformative services across the social drivers/determinants of health (SDOH)*.
Social drivers are root causes in an individual’s health and wellbeing and include conditions in which we are born, live, learn, work, play, and age.
By taking a comprehensive view of the Cedar Valley, the Foundation prioritizes efforts that support both the needs of individuals as well as the community as a whole. Our most recent grant awards fuel projects to nuture the needs of children and their families and expand crisis services.
Read on to learn the SDOH impact of a few of our latest grant partners.
*SDOH framework including domains, goals and conditions as defined by US Department of Health and Human Services. More can be found at https://health.gov/healthypeople.
Education
Goal: Increase educational opportunities and the proportion of children who are developmentally on track and ready for school.
This domain includes conditions such as educational attainment in general, high school graduation, enrollment in higher education, language and literacy, early childhood education & development.
GO! Transportation provides safe, reliable group transportation that helps youth in Waterloo access programs, jobs, and essential services. Created to eliminate transportation barriers that often limit participation, GO! ensures that young people can consistently reach the opportunities designed to support their growth and success.
Since launching in 2023, GO! has completed more than 800 door-to-door rides for youth-serving partners such as Try Pie, Youth Art Team, and SHIPHT. These rides connect young people to job training, arts programming, leadership activities, and other valuable experiences that many would otherwise miss. By providing coordinated transportation, GO! strengthens partner organizations, boosts attendance, and expands access across neighborhoods—allowing nonprofits to focus on high-quality programming rather than navigating complex logistics.
With grant funding, GO! Transportation will continue removing transportation barriers for Waterloo youth, helping more young people engage in enriching opportunities and connecting them to a coordinated network of community support.
Economic Stability
Goal: Help people access resources essential to one's life and wellbeing.
This domain includes conditions such as poverty, housing stability, food security, and employment.
The Jesse Cosby Center supports the well-being, stability, and independence of residents in Waterloo. Guided by its mission to enhance the quality of life for neighborhood families, the Jesse Cosby Center delivers essential services that help households meet basic needs and build long-term stability.
The Jesse Cosby Center operates a vibrant Senior Program that provides daily meals, exercise classes, educational workshops, and more. These activities foster social connection, support active aging, and help combat the isolation many older adults face. Home-delivered meals and regular check-ins ensure seniors who are unable to visit the center still receive nutritious food and ongoing support.
In addition to senior services, the Jesse Cosby Center plays a critical role in housing and food security. Each year, the Center responds to hundreds of requests for rental, mortgage, and utility assistance, helping families avoid homelessness and maintain safe housing. Food support—through community meals, meal delivery, and access to resources—has become increasingly important as rising costs strain household budgets.
With grant funding, the Jesse Cosby Center will continue providing these vital services, helping Waterloo residents secure stability, improve their well-being, and access the resources needed to live with dignity and independence.
Social and Community Context
Goal: Increase social and community support.
This domain includes conditions such as cohesion within community, workplace conditions, civic participation and other supportive environments.
Boys & Girls Club of the Cedar Valley provides a safe, supportive environment where young people learn, grow, and build the skills they need to thrive. Annually serving 1,000 youth ages 6–18 across four sites in Waterloo and Elk Run Heights, the Club offers daily access to warm meals, technology, sports, cultural activities, and caring adult mentors—meeting both immediate needs and long-term developmental goals.
The Boys & Girls Club programs go far beyond after-school care. Members participate in academic support, field trips, career exploration events, robotics, and social-emotional learning activities. Through partnerships with local organizations and ongoing program enhancements, the Club ensures that youth—especially those facing the greatest barriers—have opportunities to discover new interests, build confidence, and prepare for future success.
With grant funding, the Boys & Girls Club will continue delivering essential programs and reliable support that help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
Neighborhood and Built Environment
Goal: Create neighborhoods and environments that promote health & safety and create opportunities for connection & interaction.
This domain includes conditions such as quality of housing, parks & other amenities, availability of healthy foods, access to transportation, and the creation of safe, supportive communities.
Waypoint supports victims and survivors of domestic violence through advocacy, safety planning, and direct support. Victim Advocates provide mobile and phone-based services, meeting individuals wherever they feel safest. Advocates assist with personalized safety plans; help identify barriers to critical resources; and guide victims through legal, medical, and human services systems. Advocates also deliver financial education and skill-building opportunities that empower survivors to build independence. These flexible, individualized services ensure that victims and their families have the support needed to rebuild their lives.
Grant funding from the Otto Schoitz Foundation supports Victim Advocates dedicated to serving Black Hawk County. Their work—providing crisis support, safety planning, and long-term goal-setting—ensures that victims and their families can access the consistent, compassionate assistance necessary to achieve lasting safety and stability.
Health And Health Care
Goal: Increase access to comprehensive, high-quality health care services.
This domain includes conditions such as availability of health care including primary and mental health services, health insurance coverage, and health literacy.
Vision to Learn helps students succeed by providing free vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses through mobile clinics. By bringing services directly to schools and community sites, the program removes major barriers such as transportation, cost, and limited access to providers.
Many children—especially in underserved communities—have uncorrected vision issues that hinder reading, engagement, and overall academic success. Early treatment improves learning outcomes and prevents more serious eye conditions later in life, yet most students who need glasses never receive them. Vision To Learn fills this gap by delivering high-quality care where students already are.
With funding from the Foundation, Vision to Learn will provide more than 1,000 eye exams and 2 pairs of glasses for 850+ Waterloo students at no cost in the coming year.
