Jerry Armstrong, CVE board member; Robyn Corkins, CVE and 10² Women (and nominator); Tiffany Steensen, 10² Women; Gary Randel, CVE president; Janet Oberholtz, CVE vice president and 10² Women; Jean Densmore, CVE and 10² Women; and Bill Sheeder, CVE board member.
Special to the Times Vedette
The 10 Squared Women of Guthrie County held its 2026 second quarterly meeting on Tuesday, May 26, at Cafe on the Hill in Guthrie Center with four new members this quarter. The group heard presentations from Guthrie County Community Foundation, Panorama PTO, and Country View Estates. After hearing all three presentations, the group announced that a total of $15,000 will be awarded to Country View Estates. This donation consists of member contributions and several employer matches.
Country View Estates (CVE) is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges in living fulfilling, meaningful and independent lives within their communities. Located in Guthrie Center, CVE provides 24-hour residential services, community-based supports and employment services designed to help each individual reach their highest level of independence. Their mission is simple: to provide opportunities for each person they serve to live as independently as possible while promoting dignity, choice, inclusion and personal well-being in the least restrictive environment possible.
Country View Estates believes every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive. Their dedicated staff work alongside members each day to support personal goals, community involvement, employment opportunities, recreational activities, budgeting skills, health care coordination, transportation needs and daily living skills. Through individualized planning and person-centered supports, they help individuals build confidence, develop independence, and actively participate in the communities they call home.
As a nonprofit provider, CVE relies heavily on community support to continue delivering high-quality services. Donations received help offset the growing costs of staff training, transportation, community activities, adaptive equipment, program supplies, and other essential services that directly benefit the individuals they serve. In recent years, the cost of providing quality care has continued to rise while reimbursement rates have remained stagnant, making community support more important than ever.
One of their greatest investments is their staff. Direct support professionals are the heart of their organization, providing compassionate care and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Contributions help fund required staff training, professional certifications, continuing education and workforce development programs that ensure their team is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide exceptional care. These investments directly impact the quality of life, safety and success of the individuals they serve.
There are many ways to support Country View Estates. Community members can make financial contributions, volunteer their time, advocate for disability services or join their team of dedicated professionals. Whether through a donation, volunteer service or employment, every contribution helps create opportunities for some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens to live more independent and meaningful lives.
To learn more about Country View Estates, make a donation, inquire about volunteer opportunities or apply for employment, visit their office at 100 Industrial Road in Guthrie Center or call 641-332-2129. Interested individuals may ask for Gary Randel or Janet Oberholtz. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more inclusive community where every individual has the opportunity to succeed.
About 10 Squared Women
10 Squared Women focuses on donating funds to local organizations that commit to putting those dollars to work right here in Guthrie County. The funds support a wide variety of projects that benefit communities and residents throughout the county. Including this quarter’s donation, the group has contributed a total of $460,500 since its inception in 2017.
The 10 Squared Women group meets quarterly on the fourth Tuesday in February, May, August and November. Members in attendance hear from three organizations drawn at random from a pool of member-nominated organizations and then vote that night on the winning cause. Future 2026 meeting dates and locations are:
- Tuesday, Aug. 25 at B&B Marketplace, Panora
- Tuesday, Nov. 17 at Lake Lumber Co., Panora (held a week early due to Thanksgiving)
The group currently has 143 members and approximately 20 organizations nominated. They strongly encourage additional interested women to join, with a goal of reaching at least 175 members in 2026. With that goal, the group has the chance to potentially have given back $500,000 by the end of 2026, or in 10 years as a group. For a list of the more than 30 benefactors to date, visit their Facebook page, listed at the end of this article.
10 Squared Women members are encouraged to talk with their friends, neighbors, and family about the group and to share it within their social circles. While members are not required to attend meetings, they must attend either in person or via Zoom for their vote to count. All members are expected to make their quarterly donation whether they are able to attend and vote or not. The Zoom option has been well received, particularly by those with young children, those who winter elsewhere, or others who cannot attend in person but still wish to participate and vote.
The group is continuously seeking new members who are passionate about supporting their communities and Guthrie County. To learn how to get involved, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/10squaredwomengc or email 10squaredgc@gmail.com. Membership forms and Frequently Asked Questions can be found on their Facebook page or by contacting them through Facebook or email.
