Global Youth Service Day 2015

Planning for Global Youth Service Day 2015 is underway!  This year, GYSD is taking place April 17-19th.   GYSD is the largest service event in the world dedicated to children and youth.  It is celebrated in over 100 countries and we want to be sure Iowa is being loud and proud in doing their part by educating, encouraging, and providing service and service-learning opportunities to our youth.  Whether you are a teacher working with students in a classroom, an after-school program facilitator building external relationships and extended curriculum, or a community organization eager to engage with youth, GYSD is a great opportunity to deepen your understanding of service and to be a part of a state-wide movement impacting our communities immediately and enriching our youth forever. If you want to get involved planning a service project please contact anna@cyconcepts.org at Community Youth Concepts. Our friends at Youth Service America are offering Disney Friends for Change Grants of $500 to young change-makers.  This grant encourages them to gather their friends and turn their creative ideas to help their communities into projects taking place on or around Global Youth Service Day.  Whether protecting the planet, providing food to hungry people, helping other kids learn, or promoting healthy behaviors, Friends for Change help make their communities greener, safer, smarter, healthier, cleaner, and fairer. Youth ages 5-18 located in all 50 states and DC are eligible. Apply by February 18, 2015 to turn your idea from a dream into reality!  www.YSA.org/disney_friends_for_change_us_grants For more information visit Global Youth Service Day and Youth Service...

“What’s Your 50?” Volunteer Recognition Awards

Community Youth Concepts is excited to announce the launch of the “What’s Your 50?” youth volunteer recognition awards and the Youth of the Year Scholarship! Please pass along to qualified students and help us highlight the great volunteer efforts of youth in our state! Click here to access the requirements and application....

December Newsletter

 “Life’s most persistent and nagging question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr On MLK Day, over 60 youth and adults gathered at the CYC offices to answer this exact question. Some assembled and painted birdhouses or made garden stepping stones, while others distributed coats, hats, and gloves to neighborhood youth as part of our partnership with King Elementary. As we gear up for 2015, we invite you to consider how you might answer Dr. King’s question. Please consider joining our work. For more information on how to get involved, please check out our website, contact us, and keep reading. All our best, CYC staff Click on the link below to continue to read our December newsletter:...

Des Moines Mentoring Initiative

In celebration of the 2015 Mentoring Day at the Capital, all seven of Des Moines’ certified mentoring programs are joining forces to launch a new initiative aimed at increasing quality mentors for area youth. The “Be a Mentor” initiative is aimed at reaching adults interested in making a positive difference in young lives by volunteering to work with Des Moines youth on basic life skills like decision making, healthy choices, increasing academic success and exploring post-high school opportunities. On Thursday, January 22, a new website, BeaMentorDSM.org, will be launched to help potential mentors navigate their options. CYC is happy to be a part of such a powerful movement!  Our Mentor Advantage Program will also be present on Thursday for Mentoring Day at the Capitol to speak on the many benefits of youth mentoring.  If you have any questions please contact Anna Wernimont at 515-243-4292 or info@beamentordsm.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Be a Mentor Des Moines and @Mentor_DSM. ...

CYC Celebrates National Mentoring Month!

Community Youth Concepts is proud to celebrate National Mentoring Month this January and we would like to recognize our life- changing mentors who give their time through our Mentor Advantage Program, or better known as MAP. Mentoring, when done right, has been shown to give young people the tools necessary to make responsible decisions and avoid risky behavior. The mentoring effect can be a powerful factor in reducing the number of youth disconnected from school and work, in increasing social and economic mobility, and in creating more productive and prosperous communities.   MAP is designed to connect students ages 12-17 with mentors in their career field of interest, to build 21st century career-readiness skills, improve academics, and provide support to guide them towards their future success. Students are matched with one adult who shares their passions and can expose them to new and exciting career opportunities.   CYC would not be where it is today without the immense help of our volunteers who share their talents with our students. One of our mentees shared that “without (my) mentor, I never would have thought about going to college. She showed me how I can schedule my classes around my work schedule and still graduate on time. “   People who volunteer as a mentor will often tell you they feel rewarded by being someone who matters. They say they have learned a lot about themselves, and feel an improvement in their self-esteem, confidence and communication skills. If you are excited about changing the life of a young person in your community, please contact Kelsey Tyrrell at kelsey@cyconcepts.org and join the...