by Alicia Vermeer | Jan 28, 2015 | Check this out!, Events, News, Opportunities
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...
by Alicia Vermeer | Dec 23, 2014 | Check this out!, News
Below are the initial plans for our downstairs renovation at our CYC offices! CYC has been chosen for the 2014-2015 Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute project. The space will be converted into a “youth enrichment center” with computers, reading nooks, artwork displays, and fun! We are very excited about this opportunity! If you would like more information, a tour, or would like to get involved please contact our director Amy Croll at amy@cyconcepts.org. Stay tuned for further...
by Alicia Vermeer | Sep 3, 2014 | Check this out!, Opportunities
There are three opportunities CYC is offering this fall to better your youth development skills. Below are the descriptions and links to register! Sept. 30th 12-2 PM: Ask, Listen, Encourage Do you communicate with youth in a way that makes them feel supported and heard? This workshop introduces various communication techniques that help you build more supportive, youth-centered relationships. Participants learn how to ask more effective questions and actively listen in conversations. link to registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ask-listen-and-encourage-tickets-12920927843 Oct. 7th  6-8 PM: Answering Tough Questions Has a youth ever asked you a question that stopped you in your tracks, made you blush, or you lost sleep over? This training is for you! During this session, we will review the types of sensitive questions youth ask, discuss strategies for responding, and practice role-playing in a values-neutral method. Feel free to bring questions you’ve encountered as examples. link to registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/answering-tough-questions-tickets-12921445391 Oct. 13th 12-2 PM: Youth Voice Research shows that quality programs incorporate youth input at both activity and organizational levels. This workshop emphasizes the importance of offering real choices and meaningful participation to youth, and nurturing youth leadership. The workshop focuses on providing meaningful choice and opportunities for youth input within the youth program itself. link to...
by Alicia Vermeer | Aug 7, 2014 | Check this out!
Community Youth Concepts has the privilege of facilitating a program this fall called Career Connect. This program seeks to connect students in grades 6-12 with college visits, speed networking opportunities, job readiness workshops, and service-learning opportunities. Our first event is tonight, so CYC staff is gearing up for an exciting start to the program with Brian Leech of Service Legends coming to speak! Updates to...
by Amy Croll | Apr 1, 2014 | Check this out!
Confused about what CYC does? Check out the most recent video filmed and edited by two high school students from ArtForceIowa that highlights CYC programming. http://youtu.be/8ABAiki-iE4
by Alicia Vermeer | Mar 30, 2014 | Check this out!, News
CYC is excited to announce the availability of the Community Youth Concepts Endowment held with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines! The endowment will provide the long-term sustainability needed for CYC to be a long-term contributor to the community. “An endowment fund has always been on our list of priorities. We know that it’s imperative for long-term success to have our own revenue-generating funding source. Having an endowment not only allows us to look into the future, but it demonstrates our commitment to being in the community for many years to come. We’re very excited to be able to finally take this step.â€Â To contribute to the endowment so youth volunteerism can continue to be offered for generations, please visit the Community Foundation’s...
