“Kids With A Kause” started as a community-based youth-led service program. The KWAKers (pronounced Quackers) group began in October 2008 with 15 kids and has since grown to more than 50 youth between the ages of 2 and 15. These youth engage in monthly community-service projects, “KWAKer Community Parties”, and fundraisers. The focus of the group is on service and community building.

****Have you heard about KWAKer Kleaner – an environmentally safe cleaner made with love by the Kids With a Kause (KWAKers)? It’s now for sale at Campbell’s Nutrition (42nd Street in Des Moines) and Tall Grass Grocery (5th Street in West Des Moines). Pick up a bottle today to support youth development programs! ****

KWAKers Spreads Wings at Merrill (May 13, 2011)

Some favorite KWAKer projects:
Community Carnival* to raise money for Animal Rescue League of Iowa
Served a meal at Central Iowa Shelter Services
Cookies for Ronald McDonald House
Sponsored a family over the holiday time
Pool Party* to collect goggles and other pool items for Ashworth Pool
*denotes KWAKer Community Party

Community-Based KWAKers: Neighborhood youth engage in monthly service projects. They raise their own funds with proceeds going to future service projects or KWAKer Community Parties. The youth decide which projects they want to do, plan them, and carry them out with the support of an adult facilitator. Parent involvement is an important part of this program. An example of this is the Greater 44th Street KWAKers – the original KWAKers.

School-Based KWAKers: This is a KWAKer model that takes place primarily within middle schools as a semester or year-long program. Like the community-based model, it is youth-led program and involves the key elements of service-learning (Investigation, Planning, Action, Reflection, Demonstration, and Celebration). The KWAKer group is led by trained facilitators. Teacher, administrative, and parent support are also important to program success. Merrill Middle-School piloted a 6th and 7th grade KWAKer program in the spring of 2011.

Get involved as a volunteer – Michelle Raymer or call 515.243.4292

Get invovled as a participant – Jennie Groves or call 515.243.4292

Get involved as a site – Amy Croll or call 515.243.4292.

Check back soon to find the KWAKer Toolkit, information on starting your own KWAKer group!