COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A Council Bluffs emergency family shelter has been given a makeover to provide additional learning opportunities and activities to engage children and teenagers. The Daily Nonpareil reports that a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday to dedicate the children’s library at MICAH House, which includes a new hand-painted mural. The shelter’s executive director, Jaymes Sime, said the mural was painted by Allison Dethlefs during the summer.

One room at the shelter is now an educational room featuring a miniature bank, engineering lab, hospital and grocery store where children can play and learn how such facilities function. A third room has been transformed into a Teen Center outfitted with computers, where teenagers can relax, do homework, watch movies and play games.