YSS

Nest volunteers are passionate about caring for young children and building relationships with families. Volunteers assist parents checking in their children to the Nursery and supervising them while parents are in class.

• 2 hour shift | 2 volunteers per shift
• 1st & 3rd Thursdays of every month
• 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Minimum commitment of 1 shift/month for 6 months

Join the on-call list to help young adults move into their new home/apartment in Ames and Boone. Moving days are as needed. If you select this opportunity, please add your on-call availability.  

YSS Community-Based Mentoring program hosts local events to bring together mentor matches and  families. Volunteers help in a variety of ways including securing food and venue, planning activities, and day of the event.

Strengthening Families Weekend | October 21-23, 2022 | 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 Adolescent Residential Addiction Treatment programs.

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 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

Help keep the Youth Opportunity Center and Lighthouse in tip-top-shape! Help sort donations, clean bathrooms, do yard work (depending on season), organize our art room, and help clean out living units, wiping windows, and all other tasks that help keep the facilities in running order and the youth feeling safe and at home.

Volunteer group size: 1-10 volunteers
Volunteer hours: 3-4 hours between Noon and 6:00PM  

Help plant and maintain the small plot garden at our Lighthouse Transitional Living Program throughout the growing season and have the opportunity to work with the families in the garden. 

Volunteer size: 1-10
Volunteer shifts (flexible): As needed to maintain the garden

Volunteers at our donation center help organize apparel and shoes donations we receive. Put away new donations and rotate the old ones per season, helping us keep the space organized and better for our youth to access. 

Volunteer size: 1-10 volunteers
Volunteer hours: 2-4 hours (depending on need), mornings or afternoons

Join the on-call list to help young adults move into their new home/apartment in Des Moines. Moving days are Wednesday and Friday afternoons, as needed. If you select this opportunity, please add your on-call availability.  

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 Oct. 29, 2022.

Visit reggiessleepout.org 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

Volunteers assist with venue set-up, serving, and clean-up. “Evening with Francis Lauer” gala on Aug. 26, 2022, at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA. The gala includes dinner, music, and an auction to benefit YSS Francis Lauer youth and families.

Join the on-call list to help young adults move into their new home/apartment in Mason City. Moving days are as needed. If you select this opportunity, please add your on-call availability.  

Volunteers get to work alongside youth and families at YSS Francis Lauer in Mason City. Activities include sharing/teaching life skills to playing games.