On May 21, 2024, an EF4 tornado devastated Greenfield, Iowa, claiming five lives, injuring 35 people, and destroying over 150 homes. One year later, the community is still navigating the long road to recovery, both physically and emotionally. The Iowa Psychological Association Disaster Response Committee (DRC) is committed to raising awareness about disaster mental health and providing resources to psychologists and community members navigating natural disasters. 

To shed light on Greenfield’s progress and needs, the Disaster Response Committee interviewed Jennifer Garside, Director of the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation (GGCF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with over 40 years of service to Adair County. Ms. Garside, a volunteer and board member since 1999, transitioned to GGCF Director this year to focus on tornado recovery and other projects. 

Presented in Q&A format below, Ms. Garside shares her insights on the community’s recovery status, mental health challenges, funding available for mental health recovery, and ongoing needs in the community.

Q: Long term disaster recovery takes a long time. What was helpful in supporting the mental health of the community during the initial disaster response period (the first 4-6 weeks)? What has been helpful for supporting the mental health of community members in the on-going disaster recovery process? 

A: In the first weeks, taking care of their basic needs was taking care of their mental health. Trying to relieve the stress of where they were going to live, assisting them with insurance, FEMA and other immediate recovery services. People had so much on their plates they were going through the motions literally just trying to get from one hour to the next for weeks at a time. We all knew mental health was important but only a very small percentage of people prioritized this in any way, the few I know of if their children were struggling then it was a priority otherwise it was not addressed at all. This wasn’t for lack of trying on behalf of our Foundation and our case worker or others in the area. People just didn’t have time to think about it. We and other groups offered a variety of mental health free services that really weren’t utilized at almost a zero participation rate. I saw the turning point to be this March and April, when we had the chances of bad weather again and then the one year anniversary coming up on May 21st. People really started to decide that yes they indeed weren’t ok between March and May of 2025. That’s why we created the R.I.S.E. program to really bring it to the forefront of people’s mind and that our Foundation would pay for the therapy or any out of pocket expenses for the foreseeable for mental health needs.  

Q: How would you describe the mental health of Greenfield community members 1 year later? What are the on-going mental health needs in the community? Are there enough mental health providers in your community, or are more services needed? 

A: We have seen more people requesting mental health help in June 2025 than all the previous months combined. I don’t think any community ever has enough mental health providers not just because of a disaster but in general. The beauty of the R.I.S.E. program is that they can choose any mental health therapist they want, from anywhere, they just need to be licensed.

Q: It seems like Greenfield community members have really come together to support each other through creative community-based events, like community BBQs and a dance party in the park. What have been some of the most healing activities for the community? 

A: Hands down the two most healing events were almost the most emotional. The candlelight vigil held just a few days after the tornado and then the May 21st remembrance service at the Gathering Place. It was standing room only, we not only recognized the 4 community members that lost their lives, but everything our town has lost in general, homes, daycares, trees, etc. There really wasn’t a dry eye in the house, some of the news crews that were here even commented it was the best service they had ever been to.   

Chris Leuring from Parkersburg, Iowa who had experienced a bad tornado years ago came out shortly after the tornado. One thing he said really stuck with our board. He said adults and kids have totally different ways of dealing with this. He said they prioritized the kids, so they could see that while it was a horrific event, lots of great and fun new things came out of it for them, such as playgrounds, parks, etc. We have that in our mind and have already done some significant projects just so kids remember the good things.

Q: What are the remaining needs that Greenfield has that you want Iowa psychologists to know about, whether practical needs, housing needs, or mental health needs?

A: Housing is a top priority right now, probably the number #1 at this point, it was a problem before the tornado. We are still short places to live. So many people bought up extra lots next to them which is great for them but bad for the town with less lots to build on and we lost a significant amount of rentals. People are still driving back here for school and work from out of town and many times out of county. One thing that we all think is going to be a huge problem and is already a stress and a stress that is only going to get worse, is the financial strain. No one, no matter how great their insurance, is going to be made whole. People are rebuilding much smaller homes, sure they are new but they really aren’t anywhere close to the quality or size of their previous homes. People who haven’t had a mortgage for years had to borrow money to finish their homes. Several people were close to retirement and have had to delay that by years. It’s only going to get worse, we have a 5 year tax abatement, once that rolls off not only will we have much higher home insurance (which they are seeing now to insure a new home) but their property taxes will be so much higher than they were paying on a house that previously might have been 60 or 70 years old.

We are in need of more cash donations to help carry out recovery which can be done by our website greenfieldiafoundaion.org or by mailing a check to GGCF Tornado Relief, PO Box 13, Greenfield, IA 50849. Gift cards are also a huge need so we can continue to assist those struggling, especially helpful are Fareway, Casey’s, Walmart, Amazon and Dollar General. The more stress we can relieve from our residents, the better their mental load. Mental health is another priority now that people are recognizing they need it, last year it was just too soon. Our R.I.S.E. program will meet that need. With a grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) funded by Margaret Cargill, we were able to pay a case manager to help our residents beginning in the end of June 2024 and continuing until 12/31/25.

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The DRC is grateful to Ms. Garside and the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation for their extensive service to Adair County. The R.I.S.E. initiative helps make mental health therapy more accessible by providing funding to Greenfield residents to reimburse therapy co-pays for licensed providers. Those seeking therapy can choose local providers or providers across the state. After enrolling with GGCF, community members can submit receipts for copays or the R.I.S.E. program will pay providers directly. Covered mental health resources include individual therapy by licensed providers, medication management, life coaches, support groups, and workshops. https://www.greenfieldiafoundation.org/

Additionally, free counseling is available for Iowans affected by disasters through Project Recovery Iowa.