Rock Island, IL - John Jefferson is going to college! When John first arrived as a homeless veteran at Christian Care's Rescue Mission, he had no idea what direction his life would take. He certainly never saw the possibility of attending college in his future.

Thirty years ago, John served our country as a Marine?specifically, as a Military Policeman at a Nuclear Weapons Facility. After his discharge, he worked for several employers before losing his job. Like so many others, both military and civilian, he encountered difficulty getting hired and realized that, given his age and the state of the economy, he was unlikely to be able to get another job on his own. A friend mentioned that Veteran's Assistance programs in the Quad Cities had offered him much-needed help, so John decided to see for himself.

John began working with Andrea St. Clair, Christian Care's Veterans Services Coordinator. St Clair meets weekly with each veteran in the program to help them identify goals and objectives and formulate a plan to help make those goals a reality. She tracks their progress and growth while they reside at Christian Care and provides weekly workshops designed to provide much-needed information and build skill sets.

It was at one of these workshops that John was motivated to create his personal career plan. After attending First Midwest Bank's workshop on "Money Matters," John set up a checking account and started building his financial stability. When a Black Hawk College recruiter spoke to a group of residents at Christian Care, John was inspired. What he once thought of as "just a dream" suddenly seemed like a very real possibility. John knew with certainty that he wanted to become a nurse. He enrolled in Black Hawk College's Practical Nursing Program and is now a full time student. "I have used these workshops to get me to where I am today," said Jefferson with confidence.

In order to enroll in college, John needed to have proper identification, proof of a local bank account, transcripts and his birth certificate. "Andrea has helped me get over walls," said Jefferson. "She has made sure that everything I needed was in place." St. Clair also helps Jefferson maintain a monthly calendar showing all of his appointments to ensure that he adheres to his plan. Jefferson states that having his appointments laid out so that he can see them makes life feel more manageable: "She has helped me prioritize a really confusing part of my life!"

Jefferson attributes his success so far to Christian Care's strict policies. He adds that, "Christian Care is providing many useful services. If everyone took advantage of these services, they would be a step ahead themselves." Jefferson has used his time at Christian Care to save his money and advance himself. "I realize how many bridges I have crossed since October. None of this would have been possible without Christian Care's support!"

By providing residents with much-needed tools, resources, guidance and support Christian Care is able to help residents transform their lives. But the organization needs community support to continue offering their services. "Just as our change programs are helping more people than ever before, donations are down this year. We need financial help from the community to continue serving the veterans, the homeless, victims of domestic violence, men and women transitioning from prison, and those with mental illness," said Lindsey Lobur, Christian Care's Marketing and Development Manager. "It is exciting to see what happens when individuals are empowered to reach their full potential. I would hate to see that stop."

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 organization that operates two facilities in Rock Island?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men. They provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, professional counseling, referrals and guidance to those in need. Christian Care's services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the goal of nurturing the bodies, minds, hearts and souls of the men, women and children who come seeking a new way of life. Help Christian Care help others; donate now. Call Lindsey at 309-786-5734 for more information, or to set up an interview.

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CASI remains open until 5 p.m.!

Due to weather conditions, all activities have been cancelled at CASI- Center for Active Seniors Inc. CASI is remaining open today until 5:00 p.m.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call CASI at 563-386-7477.

Floor Statement of Sen. Chuck Grassley

Iowans' Sticker Shock Under the Affordable Care Act

Delivered Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013

Mr. President, I come to the floor again to share the voice of one many Iowans who have contacted me over the sticker shock they're experiencing under the Affordable Care Act.

A constituent in Sioux County writes:

QUOTE:  I am a pastor in rural Iowa and early this past summer, trusting naively in the integrity of our President's repeated promise that "If you like your health insurance you can keep it. Period[,]" I made a change to my policy, moving to a higher deductible to save the church money.

Now I have been informed that because of that change, my policy is no longer grandfathered and therefore I will be forced out of it in a year and compelled to purchase a MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE (Un)Affordable Care Act compliant policy.

I am young, male, healthy -- and will not qualify for any subsidy.

In effect, because of legislation Democrats supported -- my government is kicking me off from health coverage that I carefully researched, chose, and like a lot -- and forcing me to buy coverage that I do not need at a price I scarcely can afford.

And [the government] has the audacity to resort to Orwellian doublespeak and call such a draconian policy the "Affordable Care Act."

Please convey to your Democratic colleagues that I grew up on a dairy farm and now pastor a church of farmers.  I am the epitome of middle class America that they claim to champion.

This bill is unjust. It is based on lies to Americans like myself.  It hurts real people -- including the church I serve.  END OF QUOTE.

I have done my job, Mr. President. I have shared this constituent's message with my colleagues.  I hope they were listening.  I yield the floor.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (12/19/2013)(readMedia)-- Augustana College announced 839 students were named to the Dean's List for the 2013 fall term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

From your area, students who have earned this honor include :

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Sarah Althaus from Moline, a senior majoring in political science.

April Anderson from Davenport, a senior majoring in Asian studies.

Hiba Ansari from Clinton, a senior majoring in business administration-international business.

Jessica Bacon from Rock Island, a junior majoring in elementary education.

Adam Bengfort from Davenport, a junior majoring in engineering physics.

Amelia Beveroth from Sterling, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Andrew Beveroth from Sterling, a sophomore majoring in history and accounting.

Grace Brasel from East Moline, a sophomore majoring in biology.

Allison Brown from Milan, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Samantha Bull from Davenport, a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Brandee Cole from Bettendorf, a junior majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

David Cook from Silvis, a senior majoring in history.

Summer Cook from Rock Island, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Tyler Cowherd from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in business administration-finance, Spanish for professional use, and accounting.

Rowan Crow from Coal Valley, a sophomore majoring in pre-history education.

Sydney Crumbleholme from Moline, a sophomore majoring in art.

Jane Cummings from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Rosa De La Torre from Rock Falls, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Ashley DeVolder from Moline, a senior majoring in accounting.

Katelin Durham from Sterling, a junior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Elizabeth Gehrmann from Bettendorf, a sophomore majoring in chemistry.

Lizandra Gomez-Ramirez from Rock Island, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Shai Gonzales from Davenport, a senior majoring in political science.

Emily Grooms from Coal Valley, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Andrea Grubaugh from Muscatine, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Christine Harb from Davenport, a junior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Fenner Hengst from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in graphic design.

Taelar Hillyer from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Andrea Hult from Moline, a junior majoring in accounting and business administration-advising.

Jens Hurty from Moline, a senior majoring in music education-vocal.

Tyler James from Davenport, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Jillian Jespersen from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Zoee Johnson from Rock Falls, a sophomore majoring in classics and philosophy.

Jacob Johnston from Cordova, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Victoria Jones from Rock Falls, a junior majoring in language arts and English education.

Katherine Karstens from Moline, a senior majoring in business administration-finance and accounting.

Alyssa Kendell from Davenport, a sophomore majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Megan Kirik from Moline, a senior majoring in political science and communication studies.

Kimberly Klyman from East Moline, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Benjamin Knapper from Davenport, a junior majoring in applied mathematics and computer science.

Rebecca Knapper from Davenport, a freshman majoring in creative writing and English.

Kylie Koger from Davenport, a senior majoring in classics and philosophy.

Nicholas Krantz from Moline, a senior majoring in graphic design.

Jamie Lawrence from Moline, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Kera Linn from Bettendorf, a junior majoring in biology.

Madison Logan from Moline, a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders and psychology.

Makenzie Logan from Moline, a sophomore majoring in psychology and communication sciences and disorders.

Eryn Maccabee from East Moline, a senior majoring in English and Scandinavian.

Chad Martens from Erie, a junior majoring in pre-medicine.

Carolyn Maynard from Moline, a junior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Eli McDonald from Bettendorf, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Samantha McGreer from Illinois City, a junior majoring in pre-medicine and biochemistry.

Benjamin McKay from Rock Island, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Elise McPherson from Sterling, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Irene Mekus from East Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Chelsea Mentado from Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Sara Naftzger from Albany, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Landon Neese from Davenport, a junior majoring in pre-medicine.

Breann Nelson from Moline, a senior majoring in psychology and sociology-social welfare.

Lindsey Nicolaysen from Fulton, a junior majoring in computer science.

Muna Omar from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in biology.

Jenna Orabutt from Rock Island, a senior majoring in business administration-management.

Owen Pomije from Rock Island, a senior majoring in computer science.

Layne Porembski from Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Phillip Powell from Bettendorf, a sophomore majoring in English.

Elyzia Powers from Silvis, a junior majoring in psychology.

Katherine Rea from Rock Island, a senior majoring in classics.

Anish Reddy from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine.

Alexandria Riordan from Davenport, a senior majoring in business administration-management.

Anna Rusch from Davenport, a senior majoring in business administration-marketing.

Abigail Ryser from Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Alan Sabat from Moline, a senior majoring in geography.

Keith Sands from Silvis, a sophomore majoring in mathematics and math education.

Ingrid Schneider from Davenport, a senior majoring in music general and psychology.

Austin Schoeck from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in political science.

Markaye Semmens from Moline, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Andrew Shearouse from Coal Valley, a senior majoring in business administration - management information system and computer science.

Emma Shie from Davenport, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Andrew Showers from Moline, a senior majoring in computer science, philosophy, and business administration-management information system.

Alexandra Skinner from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in theatre arts and psychology.

Tyler Spellious from Moline, a senior majoring in English and creative writing.

Cristina Stan from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Rosalie Starenko from Rock Island, a junior majoring in geography and Spanish.

Andrew Statz from Davenport, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Grant Stewart from Sterling, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Sergio Tekeli from Bettendorf, a freshman majoring in pre-medicine.

Emma Thompson from Port Byron, a senior majoring in psychology and Spanish for professional use.

Jaykob Tisdale from Moline, a senior majoring in Spanish.

Philip Tunnicliff from Bettendorf, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Jonathon Waite from Sterling, a senior majoring in mathematics and computer science.

Michael Warhank from Davenport, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Michelle Wells from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology.

Haley West from Rapids City, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Dalinda Widdop from Milan, a senior majoring in biology.

James Wiebler from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology.

Shelby Womack from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology.

Joseph Zahn from Moline, a senior majoring in neuroscience.

Michael Zeitler from East Moline, a senior majoring in math education and mathematics.

Rong Zheng from Silvis, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. Augustana College is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 147 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.