WATERLOO -- A calendar in the former Black Hawk Center for Independent Living is still turned to June.

Time has stood still in the downtown Waterloo building at 312 Jefferson St. since the floods of 2008 forced the nonprofit organization from its longtime home. Damaged furniture and broken glass remain untouched in the front office, and a dank aroma finds its way out to the sidewalk.

"We got the records out, but all the furniture and equipment was just left in there," said center director Kenny Schuman. "Back at that time, you just couldn't get a Dumpster."

The organization that helps disabled residents live more normal lives is slowly getting back to normal at its new home, 2800 Falls Ave., in the McKenna Professional Imaging building. An open house was held last week to celebrate the transition and give residents and patrons a better look at the center's new digs.

"It's getting there," Schuman said. "I've had quite a few people who said it's a lot better than the old place."

The center still is offering its Prime Time Pass program to transport residents after MET Transit hours and a program to help construct wheelchair ramps at homes. Popular "Living Well with a Disability" and cooking classes have resumed at the center's new location after a flood-induced hiatus.

While two of the offices in the new leased space came equipped with furniture, the center still needs help with basic supplies.

"This flood just changed everything, we lost everything," Schuman said. "In January we had brought brand-new computers, $12,000 worth, and they were all destroyed."

Teri Lynn, vice president of the center's board, said the total damage to equipment and supplies "has got to be more than $200,000," including the loss of two of the three vans used for the Prime Time Pass program.

But organizations and individuals have stepped up to help. Veridian Credit Union donated used furniture, and other independent living centers across the state also made contributions.

"We got a great donation from Friendship Village: one of their vans," Lynn said.

As a nonprofit agency that relies heavily on federal grant funds to provide programs, the center found itself struggling to find government assistance for recovery.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency sent them to the Small Business Administration to request a loan.

"But they said a nonprofit has got to make a profit to qualify," said Schuman. "So they sent us back to FEMA."

Thanks to an assist from U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, a longtime advocate for the disabled community and co-author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the center believes some federal aid is headed their way.

But the center is still looking for more help, either in cash or equipment.

For more information about donating, call 291-7755.

Contact Tim Jamison at (319) 291-1577 or tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.