Wherever need exists, we choose to stand — not above, but beside.
Founded in 1987 in Clinton, Iowa, Victory Center has spent nearly four decades serving individuals and families facing homelessness, poverty, and crisis. What began as a small local refuge has evolved into a comprehensive community organization, offering safe shelter, transitional housing, recovery support, and pathways toward long-term stability.
At the core of our mission is a simple, unshakable belief: every person deserves dignity, safety, and the chance to begin again.
Over the years, we’ve seen the power of a second chance. Victory Center provides far more than beds and meals — we provide opportunities. Through housing, wellness support, and reintegration programs, we help individuals rebuild their lives with hope, dignity, and self-determination.
Today, our reach extends beyond our local community. In partnership with trusted organizations, we have supported vulnerable populations in regions across Central and South America, Africa, and Asia — providing essential resources such as food, shelter assistance, and care programs in areas impacted by poverty and instability.
For 37 years, our commitment has remained constant: to meet people where they are, remove barriers to care, and build pathways to a more hopeful future.
Victory Center continues this legacy — modernizing our work, expanding our impact, and embracing a future rooted in housing, healing, and human potential.
WHO DO WE SUPPORT
We serve individuals and families facing homelessness, poverty, addiction, or crisis—without judgment and without barriers. Anyone in need of safety, support, or a fresh start is welcome at Victory Center.
Our role is to provide housing, essential care, and pathways toward stability. We believe every person deserves dignity, choice, and the opportunity to rebuild their life on their own terms.
HOW WE ARE FUNDED
Victory Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We do not receive federal, state, or city funding — our work is powered entirely by the generosity of individuals, businesses, and community partners who believe in dignity, housing, and hope for all.
Every contribution directly supports our shelter, meals, recovery services, and reintegration programs.
Your Gift Creates Real Impact
$25 – Provides five warm meals for individuals in crisis
$50 – Covers one safe night of shelter for an individual or family
$100 – Supports a full week of recovery and wellness services
$250 – Funds job training and career support for one participant
Monthly Giving – Sustains long-term housing, counseling, and reintegration services
Meet Our Team
What started as a small act of faith has grown into a mission of hope and restoration for so many in the Clinton community who are facing some of life’s toughest challenges. These individuals have dedicated their lives to help our marginalized communities, bring them back from the fringes and restore them to a life of hope and dignity.
About the Founder
Born in Havana, Cuba, Ray Gimenez came to the United States with his parents as refugees escaping communism in 1961, settling in the Bronx, New York City. He was a first round baseball pick in 1971 for the Detroit Tigers and after 5 years in the Minor Leagues, he pursued a career in the Christian Ministry. Ray played for the Clinton Pilots in 1973 under Jim Leyland the manager. He was selected to the Midwest League all star game in 1973 in Clinton. In 1987, he founded Victory Center, an emergency homeless shelter for men, women and children (now in its 37th year). He served Open Bible Churches of Des Moines, Iowa for 6 years as the National Director of Hispanic Ministries USA. He was ordained in 1993 and in 1997. He served a 3-year term for the Iowa Latino Affairs Commission for Governor Branstad. In 2004, he founded the Gateway Clinic for the City of Clinton. This free healthcare clinic served the area for 9 years and improved the health of thousands of people who would otherwise have no access to care. In 2009, Ray received the Liberty Bell Award on Law Day in Clinton, Iowa. In 2014, the city of Clinton chose Ray to receive the City Humane Rights Commission Award. In 2020, Ray wrote a book AVAD which is a Hebrew word, meaning “to serve,” which has since then been translated into Spanish. In 2024, he celebrated 44 years of preaching the Bible. He has been a transformation of men and women who needed to break the cycles of addiction. Ray has traveled extensively to 23 countries, holding crusades and serving on the advisory board of the International Coalition (ICAL). Ray is married to Mary Anne, and together they have 11 children and 27 grandchildren. To contact Pastor Ray Gimenez, please write to pastorray@victorycenter.com.
