Ed Mead
Co-Founder & Director of Operations
Edward graduated from Lake View Academy in Chicago, Illinois in 1986. He graduated with Honors. Edward attended the University of Iowa as an Engineering Major. During his first 2 years of studies, Edward realized he enjoyed taking classes that involved dealing with the trials of mankind’s everyday life’s struggles. He later changed his major to Liberal Arts in order to further explore majors that would allow him to help individuals with the daily struggles of today. During Edward’s first 3 years of college, he returned to Chicago during the summer to work as a counselor for The Chicago Board of Education’s summer camps. Here he had the opportunity to work with children from impoverished communities, ages 8-18.
He began his career in Iowa City in the 1990’s working, facilitating and creating programs there for Four Oaks Youth Homes. Edward was a part of creating a successful Day Treatment Program in Iowa City. Also during this time, Edward spent 2 years working for The Salvation Army as a Social Worker and Assistant Director for its summer camp. Edward was also instrumental in The Flood relief efforts of the early 90’s. Edward became a Licensed Foster Parent during the mid 90’s, after seeing so many kids that he had come in contact with not getting the proper upbringing that would be needed for them to be successful in life. As a foster parent and youth counselor, he mentored youth and was a role model.
In the late in 90’s he coached and worked at West High and South East Junior High in Iowa City, allowing him to reach more children and develop his leadership skills. He also worked with the 6th Judicial Juvenile Probation office, The Neighborhood Center and area businesses to create a summer basketball league for children 5-18 that gave kids something to do 3 days a week. During this time Edward created Teen Night. This gave the kids of Iowa City a venue to spend time together on Saturday nights. He was a powerful and positive influence in many children’s lives there.
From 2001-2004, Ed worked as a mediator in the schools facilitating the efforts of the schools, social services and parents to meet the needs of at-risk children. From 2004-2008, Ed relocated to the Quad Cities area and worked in social services as a Residential Counselor for Family Resources, Program and Grants Director for the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley and provided residential support at the juvenile Detention Center of Scott County. These years enhanced his expertise in navigating the governmental and legal aspects of social services program management.
In recent years, Ed has relocated back to the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area working with REM to create new programs and new assisted living locations, as well as continuing his work with at-risk youth and in the schools. Ed’s experience has provided him with a well-rounded view of social services: from the parent’s view via his foster parenting and navigating the system to advocate for his foster kids, through an employee’s eyes via his work, and through the business management view via his program management experience. This experience has culminated in his lifelong dream of providing the best service, environment, and support via Limitless Potential, Inc.
He began his career in Iowa City in the 1990’s working, facilitating and creating programs there for Four Oaks Youth Homes. Edward was a part of creating a successful Day Treatment Program in Iowa City. Also during this time, Edward spent 2 years working for The Salvation Army as a Social Worker and Assistant Director for its summer camp. Edward was also instrumental in The Flood relief efforts of the early 90’s. Edward became a Licensed Foster Parent during the mid 90’s, after seeing so many kids that he had come in contact with not getting the proper upbringing that would be needed for them to be successful in life. As a foster parent and youth counselor, he mentored youth and was a role model.
In the late in 90’s he coached and worked at West High and South East Junior High in Iowa City, allowing him to reach more children and develop his leadership skills. He also worked with the 6th Judicial Juvenile Probation office, The Neighborhood Center and area businesses to create a summer basketball league for children 5-18 that gave kids something to do 3 days a week. During this time Edward created Teen Night. This gave the kids of Iowa City a venue to spend time together on Saturday nights. He was a powerful and positive influence in many children’s lives there.
From 2001-2004, Ed worked as a mediator in the schools facilitating the efforts of the schools, social services and parents to meet the needs of at-risk children. From 2004-2008, Ed relocated to the Quad Cities area and worked in social services as a Residential Counselor for Family Resources, Program and Grants Director for the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley and provided residential support at the juvenile Detention Center of Scott County. These years enhanced his expertise in navigating the governmental and legal aspects of social services program management.
In recent years, Ed has relocated back to the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area working with REM to create new programs and new assisted living locations, as well as continuing his work with at-risk youth and in the schools. Ed’s experience has provided him with a well-rounded view of social services: from the parent’s view via his foster parenting and navigating the system to advocate for his foster kids, through an employee’s eyes via his work, and through the business management view via his program management experience. This experience has culminated in his lifelong dream of providing the best service, environment, and support via Limitless Potential, Inc.
