Youth Groups & You: Community Youth Concepts

Community Youth Concepts’ mission is to engage and connect Iowa students through youth development programming and to provide coaching, training, and technical assistance in best practices to youth-serving non-profits. Established in 2008, Community Youth Concepts (CYC) ensures that all youth in the Des Moines area have access to high quality opportunities that prepare them for school, work, and life.

Pros

Community Youth Concepts is a locally rooted non-profit organization working to promote positive youth development by providing a number of programs and volunteer opportunities to kids ages five and up in Central Iowa. When youth volunteer, the community gains a generation of young people who care about where they live and are willing to make a commitment to improve it. Not only does the community benefit, but youth who volunteer are less likely to engage in destructive behaviors, develop leadership skills and are more likely to do well in school.

Cons

CYC is a relatively new youth organization and are not widely well known. Depending on where you live in the Des Moines metro there may not be a program offered close to where you live. However, even if your child does not participate in one of CYC’s programs, their website is an excellent resource. They have great Random Acts of Kindness suggestions and an Activity Search that will help you find volunteer opportunities for your kids in Des Moines and surrounding communities.

Best For

Kids that participate in Community Youth Concepts programs come from all walks of life and communities across the metro. In particular, kids that enjoy helping others, believe in a cause, want to have an impact on their community or gain important job skills and explore career options would all benefit from participating in a CYC program.

Time Commitment

The time commitment will vary depending on the type of program your child will be participating in.

Supplies

No specific supplies are required by the participants.

Cost

The organization supports its programs through fundraising and donations. The youth themselves also cover the cost of their projects by fundraising in a number of different ways.

Upcoming Events

Sidewalk Chalk Flood – Show off your creative side and add your own art to downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park. Join Community Youth Concepts for their 6th annual Sidewalk Chalk Flood on Saturday August 29th, 2015! This FREE event is open to the public and has music, activities and games for an uplifting family-friendly celebration.

Spotlight on Service – On September 24th, Community Youth Concepts presents A Spotlight on Service, their inaugural annual fundraising event. You’ll learn more about CYC and help them sustain their programs. Visit their website to learn more and to purchase tickets.