Youth Enrichment Center Ribbon Cutting

by | Jun 12, 2015 | Events

On Thursday, June 11th, CYC and the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2015 hosted a ribbon cutting and open house to unveil our new Youth Enrichment Center. We heard from GDMLI members and CYC supporters about the hard work that went into creating this new great new space. Youth from King Elementary and our Kids With A Cause (KWAKers) program led tours of the building, which will provide a permanent home base for current and future programs. Working with local designers and contractors, the GDMLI class renovated a 550 square foot space to create the Youth Enrichment Center. The Center will support youth in out-of-school academic and mentorship programs, and give students a safe space to work, learn and play. Beginning this summer, CYC will partner with King Elementary to host King Kids, the first program in our Youth Enrichment Center. King Kids activities will support 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning opportunities. In the future, we plan for the Youth Enrichment Center to serve as a welcoming and safe space for neighborhood youth in grades 4 to 12. CYC staff, AmeriCorps members and Drake University workstudy students will host interactive lessons, and computers will be available for research and homework help. Youth will also work with our Giving Garden, beehives, and other outdoor programming. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate this important first step in building our Forever Home. For more photos of the event, visit CYC on Facebook....

Global Youth Service Day 2015

by | 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...

You’re Invited to CYC’s Open House!

by | Sep 4, 2014 | Events, News

Join us to celebrate our move to our new home at 1446 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy in Des Moines! When: October 7th, 2014 3:30-5:00 PM Why: Tour our new space and learn about our Fall programs for youth! If your organization happens to have coffee cups, please bring one and we will exchange it for one of our new cups! RSVP: www.cyconceptscommunityopenhouse.eventbrite.com...

CYC at the MLK Day Celebration

by | Feb 20, 2014 | Events

CYC worked with over 500 youth and adults to celebrate MLK, Jr Day. The highlights include co-planning the Governor’s state-wide MLK Day Celebration featuring Movement 515 youth, working with 100 Orchard Place youth, leading 5 service projects engaging 50 volunteers at the CYC offices, and launching the public health youth philanthropy board!  Check out the...

4th Annual Sidewalk Chalk Flood a huge success!

by | Sep 22, 2013 | Events

Over 450 people came out to celebrate the contributions of youth to the community by chalking the Pappajohn Education Center with their visions and hopes for central Iowa. Participants enjoyed yoga, zumba, face painting, fish print-making, boat-floating, and chalk-making with local partners.  Check out photos from the days’ events on our Facebook page.  Additional photos from our events and past Floods can be found at...