Meet the Team
Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of professionals is the backbone of Council Bluffs C.A.R.E.S. Inc. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization. Read on to learn more about some of our incredible team members.
Founder & Executive Director
Susan Enewold
Susan Enewold, wife of Michael for 33 years and mother of two, Samantha and Dustin. Inspired by her cousin and best friend, Nikki, who passed away way too young from complications after a pacemaker operation, she always felt the calling to be with and help those with special needs.
She volunteered at camps and church groups for special needs people as a youth. After graduating from Lewis Central High School, she went into the Care of Handicapped & Disabled program at Iowa Western and earned an associates degree. She worked at REM Council Bluffs facilities for mentally & physically challenged adults, and found it very personally rewarding.
Realizing she wanted to do more in honor of Nikki, she started volunteering at the Salem UMC Manna Campus, working with the impoverished youth and adults there. It has always been her passion to help others with disabilities whether that be physical or mental, and in 2020, she helped start the first special needs Optimist Club in the state of Iowa. It was during those meetings and talking with people in that care field, we realized there was another need in our community, and Council Bluffs C.A.R.E.S Inc was developed.
She is truly excited for all of the individuals with disabilities who now have a place to use their creativity, retain new skills for employment, and enjoy a meal together. I am so grateful for the amount of support this group has received so far and look forward to helping this community even further.
"Do not forget to do good and to share with others in need"
Hebrews 13:16
Co-Founder & Assistant Director
Erin Houseton
For the past 18 years, Erin has called Council Bluffs home. She came here from Creston, Iowa, to study Art History at Creighton University and is very much an Iowa Girl. While at Creighton, Erin met her future husband Travis, whom she has been married to the past 17 years.
Erin is the mother of a spunky teenaged daughter, Ainsley, who was born with Cerebral Palsy. Since Ainsley was born, Erin has been finding new ways for her to interact with her community and make new friends.
Erin has a passion for helping others, especially those with special needs/disabilities, and loves to make art!
Known as the "quiet" one, Erin can be found behind the scenes taking care of the technical and adminstrative aspects of Council Bluffs C.A.R.E.S Inc.; however, when she is out crafting with the kids you might catch her singing to old school rock n roll.
Co-Founder & Face of Council Bluffs C.A.R.E.S. Inc.
Theodore "Ted" Gray
Ted Gray is the 6th boy in a row of 12 children. Born in Upstate New York, Ted attended a two year school, FLCC, in the Finger Lakes area. He graduated with an associates in arts and science in 1982 in Canandaigua, New York. He transferred to Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor's in Social Work and an emphasis in communityy organizing, which landed him a job with the Citizens for Community Improvement of Council Bluffs in 1984. Over the last 22 years, Ted has worked at various places including the US Postal Service where he retired in 2019 due to an accident.
Ted continues to find meaning and purpose working in the community and is now a voice for the special needs/persons with disabilities community. His own disability has opened his eyes to the isolation and barriers that special needs individuals face and has been excited to be a part of organizations like Council Bluffs C.A.R.E.S. and Manna CARES Optimist Club.
Saving the best for last, Ted is very grateful to the love of his life, his wife Meredith, their adopted children, Scott from Guatemala at 15 months old and Grace at 3 days old from Council Bluffs. Ted's faith is strong, as he thanks God for pulling him through a life threatening accident and is grateful for all of his friends, family, and church members that prayed him to wellness.
Technical Director
Gary Wise
Gary is known as our fun master bringing the tunes to meetings and setting up our AV system.
Art Director
Malia
Malia is our creative Art Director who is always coming up with whimsical and fun projects for our artisans! A little ball of energy, you can find Malia creating the most unique items on a daily basis at our craft facility!
Team Lead Supervisor
Chrissy
That friendly face you see when you check out at our open houses, that's Chrissy! Chrissy is a talented artist specializing in stamping and paper crafts. She also takes lead of our retail operations and oversee our offices.
Visit Our Craft Facility:
10 Huron Circle
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501