YSS

Strengthening Families Weekend | October 2024 | Ames

Volunteers help in a variety of ways from food prep, supervising children's group, and clean-up. The Strengthening Families Weekend gives families tools to support their child on the journey of sobriety for clients of the YSS Ember Recovery program.

Impact volunteers have a genuine interest working with youth, are patient and positive, engage in activities, and help youth develop positive peer and adult relationships by being a positive role model.

Shifts: MTR: 3:30pm-5:00pm | W: 1:30pm-5:00pm
Locations: Collins-Maxwell School and Colo-Nesco School

Impact Teen Club is a youth-driven program that promotes leadership opportunities, youth voice & choice, skill building activities, reflection, and relationships for 6th-8th graders in Collins-Maxwell and Colo-Nesco schools. A typical day starts after school with homework and snack, group game, and TOP lesson or Community Service Learning project. 

Kids Club Volunteer

Kids Club volunteers are passionate about caring for children grades K-6^th. Volunteers spend time with children in an after-school setting, assisting with recreational activities, helping with homework, and other activities planned by the Kids Club staff (arts and crafts, board games, etc.) Volunteers are encouraged to share their talents and expertise.

Skills

• Passionate about children
• Enjoy playing games and leading activities
• Excellent communication skills to children

Details and Hours

• School year schedule (September – May)
  • Monday – Friday
  • Shifts are flexible (3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
  • Possible Wednesday early out schedule (1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
  • Minimum commitment of 1 shift/week for 6 weeks
• Summer schedule (June – August)
  • Monday – Friday
  • Shifts are flexible (8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
  • Minimum commitment of 1 shift/week for 6 weeks

Location

Boone County Schools: Boone, Madrid, Ogden, and United
Story County Schools: Ballard, Gilbert (K-2^nd & 3^rd-6^th), and Story City

Get involved with our signature fundraiser: Reggie's Sleepout! Held at Drake Stadium in the fall, Reggie's Sleepout raises awareness for youth homelessness, and money to provide programming to homeless youth. Reggie's Sleepout will be held in October 2024.

Visit www.yss.org/rso to learn more.

Work alongside our Meal Program Manager to prepare and serve meals at our Youth Opportunity Center - 612 Locust in Des Moines. Meals are served at 12:00PM for lunch and 5:00PM for dinner. 

Volunteer hours (flexible): 10:30AM - 12:30 PM or 3:30PM - 5:30PM Monday - Friday
Volunteer group size: 1-4 volunteers

Admin volunteers perform routine clerical and administrative functions such as:

• Welcome visitors to office
• Answer phones and transfer calls quickly and efficiently
• Administrative tasks
  • Correspondence, appointment setting, spreadsheets
  • Handle and maintain client information, both digital and paper
    
• Maintaining common areas in the office
• Perform other duties as assigned by Community Based Center Director
• Shifts
  • 2-3 hours Monday - Friday between 8AM - 5PM (flexible)
  • Minimum commitment: 1 day/week for 6 months

Be a professional role model working 1:1 with young adults in our programs at Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, a YSS organization in downtown Des Moines. 

These volunteers will go on a list and as a few of our larger events are being planned & held. You will be contacted to see if you're available to help.  

General application process to start an internship with the Ember Recovery Program. Must complete additional paperwork process once background check has cleared. Schedule will be developed within the hiring process. 

General application process to start an internship with the Ember Shelter/Crisis Management Program. Must complete additional paperwork process once background check has cleared. Schedule will be developed within the hiring process.