WATERLOO - Rick Venenga says his nonprofit company, Families First Counseling Services, was "hidden" in a seventh-floor suite in the Black's Building downtown.

His organization has seen "explosive" growth in eastern Iowa, with a client list of more than 700 - including about 500 children between ages 2 and 18.

Wednesday the operation moved to the old Century 21 real estate building at 111 Plaza Circle along Ridgeway Avenue.

"The biggest thing is community awareness," said Venenga. "Now we have a nice big sign. People know where to find us."

The company holds six state contracts for counseling services in juvenile court, school and other government systems.

It has satellite offices in Decorah, Dubuque, Burlington and Clinton, in addition to the main location in Waterloo. It has grown from a staff of two founders - Venenga and Laone Kishman - to 75 counselors today.

Abused and troubled kids, particularly in outlying areas, are a major focus of the organization's intervention efforts, Venenga said.

"The schools invite us in - some beg us to come in," he said. "We also go to the home and work with the families and the kids if there's conflict."

Families First also offers counseling to patients who drop in.

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