Four Mounds Foundation Work SessionCopyrighted
July 7, 2025
City of Dubuque WORK SESSION #
City Council
ITEM TITLE: 6.00 PM - Four Mounds Foundation Work Session
SUMMARY: Four Mounds Foundation staff will present an update on their
work.
SUGGUESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo
3. Presentation
Page 9 of 678
THE CITY OF
DUBE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Work Session for Four Mounds Foundation
DATE: July 1, 2025
Dubuque
AI WIN av
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Parks and Recreation Director Marie Ware is providing information for the 6:00 pm, July
7, 2025, Work Session on the partnership with Four Mounds Foundation.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Marie Ware, Parks and Recreation Director
Page 10 of 678
THE C
Dubuque
DUUB*FE
cnvw rnz: i -
1I II Is/
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
2007.2012
2013.2017
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Marie L. Ware, Parks and Recreation Director
SUBJECT: Work Session for Four Mounds Foundation
DATE: July 1, 2025
The City has had a long-standing partnership with Four Mounds Foundation. This work
session allows Four Mounds Foundation to share information on their past, current, and
future work and initiatives, many of which relate to the City Council's goals. The City
owns Four Mounds Park and entered into a lease agreement with Four Mounds
Foundation in 1988 with a term of 49 years. In the agreement, Four Mounds
Foundation is responsible for all ground maintenance and improvements to the grounds
in addition to all buildings maintenance and improvements. Any proposed material
improvements or modifications are submitted to the City for approval. This has been a
very fruitful and successful partnership for both the City and Four Mounds Foundation.
Their planning and care for this historic property has led to many restorations and
improvement projects that are funded by the Foundation. Four Mounds Park is
available to all residents as visitors to enjoy.
Four Mounds Foundation also has a focus on programs that help to make a big impact
on the lives of people in our community. They do this through HEART Building
Dubuque and HEART Building Futures. HEART Building Dubuque is building workforce
development and economic vibrancy by replicating the successful HEART Youth model.
Expanded programming serves adults with barriers to employment. Our construction
and cabinetry pathways empower participants to take part in projects that revitalize and
invest in our urban core through gut -rehabilitation and restoration projects. Our
Transitional Employment Pathway provides training and guidance in career and life
planning, while helping participants build a diverse and transferrable skillset in
maintenance, groundskeeping, hospitality, and more, on the Four Mounds site.
HEART Building Futures is a public/private partnership. It is an authentic hands-on
learning experience for high school students to achieve their goals of attaining a high
school diploma, while transforming Dubuque's most blighted neighborhood back into a
livable, walkable community for working families. Students in HEART Building Futures
spend part of their day in the classroom and part of their day on a home restoration site
where they work with a 3 to 1 student/staff ratio, learn basics of construction, soft skills,
critical thinking skills, and are connected to post high school education, training
opportunities, or employment.
Page 11 of 678
CITY
COUNCIL
UPDATE
SUMMER
2025
Di TBI I
FOUR,MOUNDS
PRESERVE EDUCATI. �1I K\ I
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Page 12 of 678
Ah
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Overview
v.R .
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Ropes Course
Team Building and Collaboration
Serving 5,000+ Annually since
1992-present; 115,000+ total
participants.
Y.E.S. Program
Trade skills through historic
restoration. 300+ youth served.
Historic Restoration on site 1992-2003
Adventure Day Camp
Nature
-based summer
camp for
ages
7-13.
3,000+ kids served
over 20+
years.
HEART Building Futures
Youth -led home updates and
renovations since 2003. 300+ served,
with a 92% graduation rate.
HEART Building Dubuque
Workforce training for adults with
employment barriers. Skills + support
and connections to resources for long-
term success. 200 served since the Fall
of 2019 with a 94% graduation rate.
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Page 15 of 678
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GRANT PROGRAM
• 8 ® B Q •
o� e g e a1�=%(wEm
oa n x 111
m,
100+
home modifications
completed
99%
positive feedback
Marshallese
3 7% Hispanic 3.196
Black, Hispanic, and
Marshalese community
African American members make up
33.5%
40%
of those we serve
far exceeding their
representation in
Dubuque's general
population
Pre and Post program annual income
PRE - $12) 500
POST - $40) 000
0 Pre 0 Post
10000 20000
30000
$!300K
paid in stipends —
helping students
trade low -wage
work for career
training
Spahn & Rose, Lowes, Portzen, Perkins, Gudenkauf, A.Y. McDonald, Gronen, John Deere, Anderson Window, 4-Seasons
Landscaping, Adam's Millwork, Bimbo Bakery, Dubuque Garage Doors, Finley Hospital. Fed Ex, Hampton Inn
Individual Impact
Ar'0
ica
Paid, Hands -On Experience
Groundskeeping
Gardening
Hospitality
Woodworking
Office operations
Restoration
Personal Work Focus
Building a growth mindset
and positive coping skills
Future Focus
Recently completed the
Culinary Career Pathway
Certificate through NICC
Accessible public public •State-of-the-art
� restrooms workforce training
Infrastructure for center
natural gas on site • Expanded
• HVAC updates on partnerships
site • Increase program
Ongoing staff
preservation and
restoration efforts
• 180 Home
Modifications jobs
over the next 3 years.
• Completion of 2 gut
rehabilitation
projects, Summer
2025
• 439 Rhomberg-Next
gut rehab. project
Page 18 of 678
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Page 20 of 678