UNDERSTANDING WORKS
About Us
Understanding Works, a 501(c)3 three nonprofit organization, combines volunteer opportunities with an intergenerational book project, a purse outreach and helping students from developing countries. All of our projects teach empathy to students and adults alike.
A BOOK by ME teaches history from the perspective of various subjects so authors, illustrators and their readers learn from them.
Love Like Lorraine asks people to take action by filling gently used purses with things women need to give to those in need. Our World Changers program showcases the problems others face in developing countries.
Lessons learned from these projects is the basic truth that "Understanding Works" when we take time to listen with our ears and our hearts.
Our Mission
To assist youth and other individuals in being actively engaged in WORKS that improve their communities while developing an UNDERSTANDING of compassion and the benefits of performing acts of kindness.
Our Vision
To create a platform where students are inspired and empowered to volunteer their time for the betterment of society. We see a future where students recognize the value in actively seeking opportunities to make their community, and the world, a better place.
Our Values
Honoring others, especially senior citizens, and those less fortunate, through compassionate understanding. Showing respect to others while trying to understand different perspectives. Knowing that integrity and kindness are vital for building trust, credibility and strong relationships.
Thank you News 8 WQAD for the Jefferson Award nomination.
Board of Directors
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Dr. Maxine Russman, President
Retired - Regional Office of Education
Maxine is a retired Education Consultant from the Regional Office of Education in Moline, Illinois. Maxine now enjoys spending quality time with her husband, children and grandchildren now that she's retired. She serves on the local Holocaust Education Committee also edits A BOOK by ME curriculum and helps in many ways for the book series.
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Kris Cawley, Secretary/Treasurer
Retired Librarian
Kris is an integral part of the Jewish community in the Quad Cities. She leads a committee in selecting movies shown typically at the Figge Art Museum, and she serves on both the Yom Hashoah Committee and the Holocaust Education Committee of the Quad Cities.
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Allan Ross
Executive Director, Jewish Federation of The Quad Cities
Allan is the son of a Jewish Holocaust Survivor and speaks about his father‘s story. After a distinguished career in the US Army, he became the executive Director of the Jewish Federation , Iowa. He’s very active on many boards in the Quad Cities community.
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Dr. Marrietta Castle
Professor Emerita, Western, Illinois University
A woman who has dedicated her life to education, Marrietta also enjoys sharing the life of Mary Todd Lincoln with audiences throughout the region. She champions the Jeff Leibovitz Special Collection of Holocaust Education Materials at WIU and is a member of the local Yom Hashoa committee.
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Joan Jones
Retired - City of Chicago
Joan Bertrand Jones hails from the City Of Chicago where she worked as an administrator and developed a love for civic and educational cultivation. Joan has worked locally and nationally with the Alfredo Wells Duster Club. Her personal mantra is to support and encourage those that are interested in creating a better community.
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Sue Rector
Retired - Augustana College
Sue worked in the development office at Augustana College for decades. She’s served in leadership roles with the Association of Professional Fundraising in the in the Quad Cities. Today she finds fulfillment working with seniors at CASI in Davenport, Iowa. She enjoys sewing her church and spending time with her family.
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Heather Whitman
Media and Staff Development
Mississippi Bend Area Education AgencyHeather is an amazing education leader for many counties in Iowa. She was a speaker for a breakout session at an international teachers conference with a session about A BOOK by ME titled “a new way to make history come alive“ at ISTE in 2020.
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Dr. Stephen Gaies
Professor Emeritus, University of Northern Iowa
A retired professor of the English Department, Dr. Gaies serves as Director of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education at UNI. Stephen has been passionate for decades about raising awareness, promoting understanding, and preventing future atrocities through education.
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Anesa Kajtazovic
Director of Development and Marketing at Equal Justice America
Anesa came to Iowa as a refugee of the Bosnian War. She served as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 2011-2015. First elected at age 23, Kajtazovic is the youngest woman ever elected to the Iowa legislature, and the first Bosnian American elected to any public office in the United States.
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Rachel Thompson
Tel Aviv University
Rachel Thompson is a Research and Development Associate at American Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU). Rachel earned a B.A. in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a member of the University of Illinois History Department’s Friends of History Board, and former Young Alumni Chair of the New York City Illini Club.
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Vicky Miller
Vicky has worked in leadership with Economic Development in the Quad Cities area for over 15 years. She’s currently the President of a Business Consulting & Distribution firm for businesses and the wellness industry. She’s served on numerous nonprofit boards and is passionate about elevating the community and the lives of the people who live here.
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Deb Bowen, Executive Director
Creator, A BOOK by ME
A wife, mom and grandma, Deb is in awe the way the children's books have positively effected students, subjects and their families. Also, educator's testimonies of positive impact of students reading the stories in the classroom. Deb is honored to work with the amazing subjects in this book series and their young authors. Plus the many do gooders through Love Like Lorraine programming.
Emeritus Board Members
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Sharon Taylor
Retired Civil Servant - U.S. Department of the Army
Sharon's husband Al was one of the Quad Cities Pearl Harbor survivors. Sharon worked tirelessly to see that Al's book and other stories got into the hands of children. We must never forget the sacrifices made for our freedoms.
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Terri Toppler
Retired - Media Specialist at West High School in Davenport (IA)
Terri has been an educator for 40+ years. She's taught in Iowa, Australia and China. This includes teaching Holocaust classes at Drake and Aurora Universities. She serves on the Iowa Council for Holocaust Education, is a USHMM Teacher Fellow and a member of DAR Hannah Caldwell Chapter of Iowa.
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In Memory of Rose Mary Boesen
1948-2023
Rose Mary served as an experienced consultant with a history of working in the world of non-profits. Her experience included serving as CEO of two United Way organizations and as Executive Director of the Black Hawk College Foundation.
Meet the A BOOK by ME Team
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Deb Bowen
Founder
Deb created the book project in 2003 under the covering of the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities. She is blessed with an amazing support team, including a wonderful and talented board of directors. She's surrounded by people who care very deeply about education and the emotional needs of children.
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Jeanie Bowen
Project Manager
Jeanie works behind the scenes and manages every book project as it is completed and being prepared to be published. Her attention to detail is exceptional as she handles tasks crucial to our mission's success. Jean is inspired by her father Dale Bowen, a WWII veteran. Dale was a flight instructor stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas. This American hero worked behind the scenes training pilots to help win the war in both European and Pacific theaters.
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Cassie Bowen Holler
Curriculum Development
Cassie wrote and illustrated a book while in high school. With the help of her professor, she began developing curriculum for books during college. Today she works in administration at Key School in Texas where students are valued with their unique social, emotional and intellectual needs.