by Alicia Vermeer | Apr 16, 2015 | Uncategorized
Join Community Youth Concepts on Saturday April 18th for the CYC Global Youth Service Day Celebration and the Addam C. Medina Foundation’s Annual Event. WHAT: Global Youth Service Day “What’s Your 50?” Volunteer Recognition and $500 Scholarship Ceremonies WHO:  Community Youth Concepts, Addam C. Medina Foundation, and Kiwanis Club of Downtown Des Moines WHEN: Saturday, April 18, 3-4 pm and 6:30 pm WHERE: Iowa State Historical Museum CONTACT:  Amy Croll, Community Youth Concepts, 371-9278 or amy@cyconcepts.org During the service day celebration from 3:00-4:00 pm, twenty-five youth will be recognized for completing 50+ volunteer hours. Some volunteer projects include assisting refugees, organizing sock drives for the homeless, volunteering at animal shelters, and community garden work. The following students will be recognized: Hanna Anderson, West Des Moines, Valley High School-Age 17 Emily Grace Bergez, West Des Moines, Valley High School-Age 18 Jacob Bundt, Churdan, Churdan Jr./Sr. High School-Age 18 Kaley Claiser, Urbandale, Jensen Elementary-Age 8 Mahayla Claiser, Urbandale, Urbandale Middle School-Age 13 Ben Croll, Urbandale, Rolling Green Elementary-Age 10 Katelyn Croll, Urbandale, Urbandale Middle School-Age 11 Darouth Douch, Des Moines, East High School-Age 18 Katie Foley, Des Moines, Dowling Catholic High School-Age 18 Leah Gardner, Urbandale, Olmsted Elementary-Age 11 Jordan George, Norwalk, Roosevelt/Central Academy High School-Age 14 Abigail Hall, Clive, Walnut Creek High School-Age 15 Elena Hildebrandt, Des Moines, Roosevelt High School-Age 17 Alec Jessen, West Des Moines, Valley Southwoods High School-Age 15 Sierra Johnson, Des Moines, Lincoln High School-Age 18 Heather Kemp, Dubuque, Dubuque Senior High School-Age 17 Mary Korch, Cedar Rapids, Thomas Jefferson High School-Age 18 Mary Le, Clive, Waukee High School-Age 17 Alexis Morris, Des Moines, East High School-Age 18 Lucas Schmidt, Preston, Marquette Catholic...
by Alicia Vermeer | Mar 25, 2015 | Uncategorized
Global Youth Service Day 2015 has started off with bang! Within the last week, over 30 students have been engaging in meaningful service throughout their communities. To kick-off our 30 Days of Service, Community Youth Concepts programs, KWAKer’s (Kids With a Kause) and East Bank Youth Corps, spent the afternoon packaging over 3,500 meals with other volunteers at Meals From the Heartland. The following day, KWAKer’s were right back at it making doing preparation for their future planting in their community garden. EMBARC students spent the afternoon creating welcome kits for refugees which they will be able to deliver to family members when they arrive to Des Moines. On Thursday, One Iowa went to Iowa City where they had the opportunity to share personal experiences as LGBTQ students. They spoke on a panel, sharing their needs as well as their ideas on how to build successful youth-adult partnerships between students and school leaders for a safer and more supportive educational environment. To wrap up the first week of GYSD, Children and Family Urban Movement began their work on their community garden. This garden will be a great addition to their neighborhood and the families they...
by Alicia Vermeer | Mar 20, 2015 | Uncategorized
Community Youth Concepts is partnering with Youth Mental Health First Aid USA to present an 8 hour public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents. It also builds understanding of the importance of early intervention and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Mental Health First Aid uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care. Join us for this training at the Urbandale High School Media Center on Saturday, April 11th from 8:30-5 . Registration is $10 and lunch is provided.  Please enter through the front doors at Urbandale High School. If you have questions about this training please contact Community Youth Concepts at 515-243-4292. Register on our eventbrite...
by Alicia Vermeer | Mar 18, 2015 | Uncategorized
Global Youth Service Day 2015 is under way! Community Youth Concepts is working with various partners throughout Iowa to facilitate over 40 service projects engaging youth in the needs of their communities. Some of these projects include providing services to the homeless, creating welcome kits for refugees, and advocating for supportive services at schools. We are very excited about being able to promote Iowa youth who are passionate about using their voice and talents to serve others. Please visit our calendar that portrays all of our partners’ service...
by Alicia Vermeer | Feb 20, 2015 | News
Read what’s been happening at CYC! Click the link below to read this month’s newsletter:...
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...
