About

Our Mission

Community Youth Concepts’ mission is to engage and connect Iowa students through youth development programming and to provide coaching, training, and technical assistance in best practices to youth-serving non-profits.

Our Vision

Community Youth Concepts’ vision is an Iowa where all youth have access to high-quality opportunities that prepare them for success in school, work, and life.

Our Philosophy

Founded in 2008 by Amy Ostrander Croll and Lynette Marchant, Community Youth Concepts (CYC) is a mission driven organization based in Des Moines, Iowa.  By promoting the use of positive youth development principals and best practices, CYC provides volunteer service opportunities and career-based mentoring to Iowa youth in order to improve their future successes as students, professionals, and active community members.

Our Guiding Principals

  • We respond to and address the needs of youth and the community.
  • We operate according to best practices and share them with others through effective training and technical assistance models.
  • We include youth whenever possible in the decision-making process.
  • We assess all programs we provide on a regular and ongoing basis, incorporating a continuous improvement process based on sound data.
  • We are cognizant of our fiscal responsibilities and are good stewards of our funds.

We invite you in to see how CYC is different and encourage you to consider how you want to be part of our youth development movement.

Alliance of Coalitions 4 Change
Cerro Gordo County Health Department Teen Connection
Chrysalis Foundation
Des Moines Parks and Recreation
Des Moines Police Department
EMBARC
Food Bank of Iowa (USDA Nondiscrimination Compliant)
Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute
Iowa Afterschool Alliance
Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development
Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service
Iowa Department of Education
Iowa Department of Public Health
Please Pass the Love
Polk County Board of Supervisors
Polk County Health Department
Principal Birdies for Charity
Urbandale Parks and Recreation

David P. Weikert Center for Youth Program Quality
Days for Girls
Forum for Youth Investment
Wyman Center, Inc.
Youth Service America
Youth Volunteer Corps

21st Century Community Learning Center
Central College
Des Moines Public Schools
Drake College
Grandview University
Holy Family Catholic School
Iowa State University
Luther College
Saydel Community Schools
Southeast Polk Community School District
University of Iowa Masters of Social Work Program
Urbandale Community School District
West Des Moines Community School District

Animal Lifeline
Arts Force Iowa
Bravo of Greater Des Moines
Censeo Solutions
Children and Family Urban Movement
Des Moines Area Religious Council
Des Moines Arts Festival
EAT Greater Des Moines
I Have a Dream Foundation
Kiwanis Club – Downtown
Medina Foundation
Mid Iowa Health Foundation
One Iowa
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland
United Way of Central Iowa
Urbandale Community Action Network
Youth Emergency Shelter and Services
Youth Policy Institute of Iowa

I love the ability to engage in leadership opportunities while helping my community and making a difference in someone’s life!  I like that they offer so many different opportunities to become successful in life!

- CYC Student -

Annual Report

To learn more about Community Youth Concepts, including a breakdown of our financials and a complete list of our donors, please check out our most recent annual report.

Learn More