About the Program 

The CYC Youth Mentoring Program, funded by the Iowa Department of Public Health, builds relationships between Middle and High School youth and professionals to improve life skills, provide career awareness, and improve academics by connecting the classroom to real life.

 How It Works

Mentors and mentees are matched based on personality and the mentee’s career interest. The intent is to introduce youth to the mentor’s career, exposing them to a “behind-the-scenes” look at how educational concepts are applied in a real-world setting.  Matches are encouraged to spend time at the mentor’s place of employment, giving the mentee an apprenticeship-like experience.

Middle and high school youth can participate in a traditional mentoring program while high school youth have the option to participate in an e-mentoring relationship.

Matches will have the support of CYC staff throughout the relationship with regular check-ins, resource and referral information, trainings, speakers, activities, and service learning opportunities.

Learn more about becoming a mentor or e-mentor.

Learn more about becoming a mentee.

Thank you to our MAP Advisory Council Members:

Jennifer Farley, Censeo Solutions
Staff , Community!Youth Concepts
Amanda Cox, Employee and Family Resources
Eric J. Hermann Design & Photography
Mary Bontrager, Greater Des Moines Partnership
Sue Chapman, Iowa Comprehensive Human Services
Tabatha Lamb, Simpson Upward Bound

Marsha Frakes, Urbandale Community School District
Jennifer Trow, The Village Bean
Janna Daisy, Youth Emergency Services & Shelter