Ankeny Non-Profit Aims to Open Newton Youth Crisis Facility

FOCUSS organization has secured half the remaining funds needed for a Newton location.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 2:57pm

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An Ankeny-based non-profit organization called FOCUSS, which provides programs and crisis services for youth, has taken a financial step forward in its plans to open a youth crisis facility in Newton, Iowa. The organization's founder, Darnell Loatman, told the Newton City Council that FOCUSS has secured $50,000 from a private donor, leaving $50,000 remaining to acquire a Newton location.

Why it matters

FOCUSS has responded to around 40 youth crisis calls in Newton over the past three months, and the organization says calls from Jasper County have been increasing. Having a Newton location would make it easier for Jasper County parents to pick up their children after receiving crisis services from FOCUSS.

The details

FOCUSS, which stands for Focus On Community Uplifting Self-esteem and Success, provides rapid response crisis services for youth, taking them out of difficult situations, providing guidance, and developing coping skills plans before releasing them back home. The organization can hold youth for up to 23 hours as part of this process.

  • In the past three months, FOCUSS has responded to around 40 youth crisis calls in Newton.
  • Last December, Darnell Loatman first approached the Newton City Council about financial assistance for a Newton location.

The players

Darnell Loatman

The founder of FOCUSS, the Ankeny-based non-profit organization that provides programs and crisis services for youth.

FOCUSS

An Ankeny-based non-profit organization that provides programs and crisis services for youth, including a rapid response crisis team that has responded to around 40 calls in Newton over the past three months.

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What they’re saying

“We secured another $50,000 from a private donor in Des Moines. So we are hoping the city council will finish the fundraising. That leaves $50,000 left.”

— Darnell Loatman, Founder of FOCUSS

What’s next

The Newton City Council will decide whether to provide the remaining $50,000 in funding to help FOCUSS acquire a location in Newton.

The takeaway

The expansion of FOCUSS's youth crisis services to Newton would provide an important resource for the community, making it easier for Jasper County families to access the organization's support during difficult times.