February 2026
Born from a spirit of collaboration in 1997, Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance (GNEA) is still demonstrating the power of community partnership nearly thirty years later. Founded by a coalition of 25 churches to make a stronger impact and meet needs across Story County, today, GNEA operates as a secular non-profit organization and partner agency of United Way of Story County to help hundreds of families secure the support they need.
Nearly 20% of Story County residents live below the federal poverty line (Story County 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment), and many more struggle. In 2024, 34.2% of surveyed Story County households reported having worried about paying their rent or mortgage in the past year. These families may have incomes above the federal poverty line but often cannot meet their basic needs when considering the cost of living.
United Way of Story County recognizes that collective well-being requires both immediate support and proactive solutions that keep people safely housed. When rent or utility bills become overwhelming, the impact can quickly spill into employment, health, and family stability. By investing in organizations like Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, UWSC helps prevent homelessness before it begins and strengthens clear pathways toward lasting financial stability. Through partnerships that address urgent needs while promoting long-term solutions, UWSC is helping more neighbors remain secure in their homes and confident about what comes next.
Good Neighbors in Action
GNEA Executive Director, Bill Stodden, and Navigator, Cari McPartland, see needs that might otherwise go unnoticed and walk alongside clients as they provide support and structure for those dealing with housing and food insecurity.
After spending eight years as a political science professor seeking to understand systems of power and the interconnectedness of people’s needs, Bill Stodden was ready to make change on the ground. Driving buses for public transit and HIRTA ignited his passion for direct service and connection. Soon, Stodden was working for The Salvation Army in Ames before beginning as Executive Director at Good Neighbor. “It was a natural move for me to go from food security to homelessness prevention. It also allows me to live up to my values- helping people directly,” he reflects.
McPartland walks alongside clients as they gain confidence. “One of the things I do is help people file for Social Security,” she explains. Recently, a client needed legal assistance to do so but was unsure about working with an attorney. “He needs a lot of support because he has some mental health challenges. I was able to bridge that gap to meet the attorney, sitting in on the that first meeting.” Always taking the extra step to ensure clients are supported, McPartland is known for her thoughtfulness and care.
Every day, Good Neighbor harnesses the power of collaboration between Story County organizations. “Collaborating between agencies is really important because while I can’t do a lot of things, there are other agencies in town that can. We’re linking our network with their network,” Stodden explains. Stodden and McPartland work closely with United Way of Story County to come up with new poverty-reduction solutions, learn what other organizations are doing, and set up clients with the Wheels for Work program.